Feast of the Assumption of the BVM

The Assumption of the Virgin Altarpiece by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

Monday was the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which I learned is the Blessed Mother's highest feast day throughout the year and is a national holiday in something like 40 countries . . . although not in ours!

We celebrated the Vigil by having some new friends (with kids ages 5, 3, and 11 months--so similar to ours!) join us for a bonfire Sunday night. Apparently a bonfire is one of the many festivities associated with the Assumption. The kids adored it and roasted marshmallows for s'mores in the flames. Because, as you know, you've always got to have dessert on special feast days!

Then on Monday we attended 7:00 a.m. Mass, and the kids learned more about the Assumption during school time plus colored some lovely pictures of Mary, and then they got to have dessert again (just what random things I had on hand: strawberries, Nilla wafers, canned whipped cream, and chocolate chips!).