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Vincent Lau wrote:
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Dear Sir/Madam,
My question is:
- Did Mary, Mother of God, suffer a physical death?
- What is the
Vatican view on this?
Thank you,
Vincent
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Did Mary, Mother of God, suffer a physical death? }
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Eric replied:
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Hi, Vincent —
The answer is, we don't know. It hasn't been defined. I believe the scales
tip in favor of her experiencing death. There is testimony from the early
church (though not necessarily trustworthy) that she died in the presence
of the Apostles, and when her grave was opened three days later, her body
was nowhere to be found. The Eastern Church does celebrate her Dormition,
or falling asleep (=death). Pius XII, when defining the Assumption, was
very careful to craft his words so as not to suggest one mode or the other:
he simply said:
"At the end of her earthly life, she was assumed body and soul
into heaven."
(Munificentissimus
Deus, #44).
Eric
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Mary Ann replied:
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Vincent —
There is no Vatican view on the matter. The Church does not know whether
Mary died or not. It is reasonable to assume that she died, as did her
Son, and that her body was assumed into glory shortly after.
The Eastern
Church has a tradition that she did not die, but was assumed into heaven
body and soul together at the point of death. We are free to believe either
one.
Mary Ann
[Similar
question we answered]
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