A Collect for the Assumption

A short prayer from the Sarum Missal, for the anniversary of the death of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Introduction

This prayer was appointed in the Sarum Missal, the service book of the English Church in the Middle Ages, for the Feast of the Assumption, which remembers the day on which the Virgin Mary died. The Eastern churches call this day the Dormition or Falling-Asleep of Mary. Tradition says that Mary died a natural death, surrounded by the Apostles, but three days later her body was nowhere to be found.

Translated by Frederick E. Warren

LET the honoured festival of to-day, O Lord, bring us continued aid; on which the holy mother of God underwent temporal death, yet could not be holden by the bonds of death; because she bare incarnate of herself thy Son our Lord; Who livest and reignest God world without end.

Translated by Frederick E. Warren

Read Next

A Collect for Peace

A short prayer from Evensong in the Book of Common Prayer.

He That Is Down Needs Fear No Fall

As Mr Great-heart guides his companions into the Valley of Humiliation, he bids them listen to the song of a shepherd boy.

Teach Me, for I Do Not Know

A song placed on the lips of the Virgin Mary, as she bent over her newborn child.