A Philatelic Issue for the 75th Anniversary of the Dogma of the Assumption of Mary

A Message of Hope for the Men and Women of Our Time

On September 7, the Vatican Postal and Philately Service will present a commemorative stamp to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It was on November 1, 1950, when Pope Pius XII, with the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus, declared that the Immaculate Mother of God, Mary, “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

In this year’s philatelic program, the commemoration of this dogma of the Roman Catholic faith has been given special attention, as it intertwines an ageless popular devotion with a message that is ever relevant, capable of illuminating the vocation of every man and woman.

A Preview of Human Destiny that Confirms Resurrection

Mary, assumed into Heaven in body and soul, stands apart from all other human beings, anticipating the common destiny of humanity in the final resurrection. She is the “beginning and guarantee” of the resurrection of all, a tangible sign that the human being, in the unity of soul and body, is called to share in the glory of God. This dogma, far from being merely a theological statement, is a proclamation of hope that sheds light on the ultimate destiny of every human being.

Hope for Contemporary Culture

The meaning of the Assumption proves today to be more relevant than ever. We live in a culture marked by contradictions: on the one hand, the obsession with beauty, efficiency, and performance; on the other, the commodification and rejection of bodies marked by fragility. The glorification of Mary’s body instead reaffirms the intrinsic dignity of every person and proclaims that no body is excluded from the promise of transfiguration in God.

A Prophecy of Unity

Mary assumed into Heaven reminds us that salvation concerns not only the soul but the whole person. The Christian faith is not abstract spiritualism, but the promise of a fulfillment that embraces matter, history, and the entire universe. The Assumption thus becomes a prophecy of unity and a proclamation of a beauty that does not fade.

The dogma of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated by the Church on August 15, and rooted in centuries of faith and tradition, reveals itself as an ever-living message. It does not concern only the Mother of the Lord, but sheds light on the ultimate vocation of all humanity: the glory of eternal life. In the figure of Mary, the Church recognizes the inviolable dignity of every person and the certainty that life, preserved by God, does not end but finds its fulfillment in Christ.