On the feast of the Ascension, we pray: "May we follow where he has led and find our hope in his glory". As Jesus died and rose from the dead, so we believe that the faithful dead rise to eternal life. As Jesus ascended into heaven, we believe that our journey through life does not end with the grave but with the heavenly Jerusalem. In the faith of the Church, the prayer we make on the feast of the Ascension is continually answered. Hence the Church canonizes the saints. Canonization affirms that they are already in Heaven.

The feast of the Assumption is a celebration of Mary's entry into heaven. It is an affirmation that our Ascension prayer has been answered and always will be answered. As the Mother of God, chosen from all eternity, Mary did not need to be "canonized" by the Church. The declaration of the dogma of the Assumption is simply an affirmation that God is eternally faithful. As God is love, so He is also fidelity. As Mary was chosen by God to be the Mother of Jesus, she is the first recipient of every grace that Jesus gained for us, including the gift of the Resurrection, celebrated today in the feast of the Assumption.