Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15, 2018)
As we celebrate this blessed Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, “in
radiant joy with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs together with the
angels and the apostles,” we give thanks to God for the revelation of His
abundant grace and glorious power through the life and witness of the
Virgin Mary.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2017)
The Theotokos is compassionate because she is the mother of our Lord Jesus
Christ who revealed to us the grace of God through His ministry and
teaching. She carried the Compassionate Savior in her womb. In the Holy
Scriptures we read how our Lord saw the physical and spiritual needs of
many, and He had compassion. They were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark
6:34). They were hungry, blind, sick, suffering and rejected. He felt and
understood their struggles and needs, and in compassion He blessed their
lives through the power of grace.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2016)
The Virgin Mary knew the voice of Christ because she shared a unique
relationship with Him as His mother. She heard His voice from birth
throughout His life and ministry; she heard His words as He grew; she
marveled at His wisdom as a youth; she listened to His teaching; she was
burdened with great sorrow when He cried out from the Cross; and she was
filled with great joy following His resurrection and hearing His promises.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2015)
We commemorate today, on this blessed Feast of the Dormition of our Most
Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary, the holy repose of the Mother
of our Lord and seek her intercessions for deliverance, refuge, and
salvation in Christ. From her resting place among the Saints she continues
to radiate the grace of God offering solace and strength to those in need.
Through her repose and her constant ministry on our behalf, the Theotokos
shows the power of faith and the promise of life beyond death.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2014)
We commemorate this blessed Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy
Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, honoring and celebrating her faith in God
and the witness of the miraculous power of grace in her life through her
willing obedience to His will. As a result of the amazing level of personal
holiness and the abundance of grace, the Theotokos offers us a superb
example of a relationship with God and a deep connection with Him that is
essential for our lives and the sacred institution of the family.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2013)
On this day of our commemoration of the Feast of the Dormition, our hearts
are filled with hope as we reflect on the holy repose and miraculous
translation of the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary. We have hope in Christ
our Lord because the Theotokos offers us a superb witness of His power.
Certainly, her calling to bear the Son of God was unique, but in all
aspects of her life and death she offered a beautiful example of how the
power and grace of God can transform us from death to life.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2012)
When we reflect on this extraordinary experience of the Apostles of our
Lord, we can see how this blessed Feast and the witness of the Theotokos
inspire us in our sacred work of sharing the Gospel.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2011)
On this blessed Feast of the Dormition, we honor the beautiful life and
witness of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. In the
services and hymns of this festal period we offer to all humanity a vibrant
and joyous testimony of how she revealed the power of the grace of God and
how she continues to show compassion upon all who seek solace, healing, and
peace through her intercessions.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition (08/15/2010)
On this blessed feast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos
and Ever-Virgin Mary, I greet you in the joy that we know through the life
and intercessions of the Mother of our Lord. As witnessed by the hymn above
and of all the services that we observe for this Feast, the commemoration
of the Dormition of the Theotokos is not an occasion for mourning,
expressing grief or feeling a sense of loss over the earthly departure of a
close and cherished life. This is a feast of praise and celebration, filled
with true joy.
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