Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples. Because of this experience of Jesus' resurrection, coupled with His teaching, we believe that we, too, will pass through death into the glory of the resurrection. The Church speaks about resurrection in two different ways. At times, we speak of the "resurrection of the dead", affirming that death is not the end of our existence but the beginning of a new existence. At other times, we speak of the "resurrection of the body", to affirm that our new existence in heaven is not a denial but a glorification of our body and of every good that we have done on earth.

When Mary died, there were no appearances to let the Church experience her resurrection. Instead, the Church came to another profound insight. In Mary, the resurrection of the dead and the resurrection of the body came together. As she passed through death into the glory of eternal life, she did so with the full glorification of her earthly life, her body. She was "assumed" into heaven. The resurrection of Jesus and the Assumption of Mary are promises of the glory that awaits all the faithful children of God.