What is the difference between Jesus' Ascension and Mary's Assumption?

There is a huge difference in the Church's teaching about Jesus' Ascension and Mary's Assumption. The biggest difference is that Jesus raised himself up. The Assumption of Mary was carried out by Jesus. Jesus lifted Mary up. Jesus was her personal Saviour. The doctrine of Mary's Assumption states that Mary:

"...having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory."

- Pope Pius XII, 1950

This clearly shows that Mary did not raise herself up. Yes, she needed a Saviour.

The founder of the reform, Martin Luther said:

"There can be no doubt that the Virgin Mary is in Heaven. How it happened we do not know."

- Martin Luther's Works, vol. 10, pg. 268

Some Evangelicals say, "the Pope declared this dogma in 1950, it's too late, you can't just make stuff up as you go along!" In the section on Mary and the early Church there are quotes of early Church fathers. This belief of Catholics dates back to at least the 6th century. There were also feasts in memory of Mary in Antioch dating back to 380 A.D.

In 451, when the bishops gathered at Constantinople, Emperor Marcian asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to bring the relics (bones) of Mary to Constantinople, from Jerusalem. The patriarch explained that there were no relics of Mary:

"Mary had died in the presence of the apostles; but her tomb, when opened later...was found empty...the apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven."

Catholics have no trouble believing Mary is in Heaven and that her Son Jesus brought her there. They think Jesus is quite capable of bringing Mary into Heaven. The doctrine of the Assumption stands on the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. If Mary was preserved from sin, at the instance of her conception, it follows that she would be preserved from the effects of sin, which is the deterioration of the body after death or at the instance of her death. Catholics believe it is Jesus who did this for her.

Jerusalem - Israel

This is the inside of the Church of the Assumption (Jerusalem) where tradition says Mary was assumed into heaven


On the cross, Jesus says  to the poor thief, "This day you will be with me in Paradise!"(Lk. 23:43). Catholics feel that if Jesus would take the thief to Paradise he would also take his beloved faithful mother.


- Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, 1950


A Personal Note about Mary



(Sermon, Feast of the Visitation, 1537)



Pray to Jesus about Mary.



Sources: Martin Beckman
J. Roy MacIntyre, "My Soul Magnifies the Lord"
John Pacheco's refutation of James White's, "Mary: Another Redeemer?"

Other Topics on Mary

Mary in Scripture
Mary, mediatrix, co-redemptix
The Rosary
Is Mary a pagan goddess?
Martin Luther's quotes about Mary
Mary in the early Church and today
Do Catholics pray to Mary?
David's experience with Mary
Repetitious prayers?
Did Mary have a bunch of kids?
Immaculate conception

Lord Jesus, let Your prayer of unity for Christians
become a reality, in Your way.
We have absolute confidence
that you can bring your people together,
we give you absolute permission to move.