Father Hathaway’s Column — August 10, 2025

Guest Columnist: Father Peter J. Clem, YA, Parochial Vicar

This coming Friday, August 15, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. Holy: We are to treat this day differently by coming to Mass, feasting instead of fasting and perhaps making an extra effort to pray the rosary. Obligatory: The Church, in her wisdom, sees the significant importance of spending the day contemplating this great mystery.

Because Mary was to be the Mother of God, she was conceived without sin (the Immaculate Conception). Because her soul is not corrupted, it is fitting that her body would not corrupt here on earth, but rather be assumed, body and soul, into heaven at the end of her time here. Mary shares in the fruit of Christ’s rising from the dead, prefiguring the resurrection of the body at the end of time when we will all be united, body and soul, with God forever. The Father welcomes her into an eternal embrace.

Now that Mary is in heaven, she is able to intercede for us in a very particular way. Think of the many apparitions of Mary: Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe. She is sent by God to continually call us back to Him. In these miraculous appearances, she reveals to us the love of her Son, Jesus.

August 14, the day before the Assumption, is the memorial of Saint Maximillian Kolbe. He is best known for his sacrificial act in the German death camp of Auschwitz, where he volunteered to take the place of a fellow prisoner. I encourage you to learn more about this great Polish saint of the 20th century if you do not already know his story. He is also credited for his great devotion to Our Lady. (One good recounting of his life can be found at http://bit.ly/3GSSUfr)

Saint Maximilian Kolbe described Mary as the “created Immaculate Conception,” united uniquely with the Holy Spirit, the “uncreated Immaculate Conception.” This intimate bond of Mary as the spouse of the Holy Spirit reveals her singular role in salvation history — not only as the Mother of God but as the chosen vessel through whom God’s graces flow. She actively participates in the distribution of all graces. Now assumed into heaven, Mary continues this mission in glory. From her place beside God, she intercedes for us and is sent forth to help us receive the grace her Son won for us on the Cross.

FAREWELL TO SEMINARIAN DANIEL MORENO

Today, August 10, Daniel concludes his summer seminarian assignment with the Basilica. He is returning to Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary for his Pre-Theology II studies. Please pray for Daniel and all those men preparing for the priesthood for our Arlington Diocese, including Saint Mary parishioners Deacon Alex Solsma and Deacon Aaron Zanca, who — God willing — will be ordained to the priesthood in 2026.