Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
About Mary
back
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History


Vincent Lau wrote:

Dear Sir/Madam,

My questions are:

  • Did Mary, Mother of God, suffer a physical death?
  • What is the Vatican view on this?

Thank you,

Vincent

  { Did Mary, Mother of God, suffer a physical death? }

Eric replied:

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

Mary Ann replied:

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
[Related question]

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.