Solemnity of the Dormition and Assumption of the BVM

HAPPY FOUNDER'S DAY to the AIHM Community!

August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption is the Birthday of the Order of Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This year we celebrate our fourteenth anniversary.

The Feast of the Dormition and Assumption of Our Blessed Mother is a celebration for all of humanity. It shows to all generations that God is faithful to the covenant. Mary lived her life trusting in God's mercy and love from her childhood to the events of the Annunciation, to Cana, Calvary, the Upper Room, and finally her dormition (falling asleep). She trusted that God would be faithful.

God was faithful. God did not spare her pain, trial, disappointment. But was with her through it all as well as in the joy and tribulation. Mary was very aware that God was present in her life of quiet prayer and quiet leadership in the early community of believers. And God was faithful granting her the gift as the NEW EVE. Assumed into heaven, she goes to prepare a place of welcome for us with her Son who has opened the gates of eternity.

The lesson for us: persevere in faith, hope, and love. Fourteen years ago two simple young men formed this "new community" of Augustinians. Told it would never work, told it was not a fit, fourteen years later we prepare to welcome a new professed friar and three new novice friars: men, women, gay, straight, white, brown. After fourteen years and some times of dormition, we too, as AIHM brothers and sisters are having a share in the assumption promise of our God!

"Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!"

*On a personal note, I want to offer God thanks especially through the prayers of Mary, Our Mother of Grace, St. Joseph, St. Rita, and my own saintly deceased mom and dad for the gift of a new job and career. Today, on the great Vigil, I was offered a position on a Middle School math faculty for a very good public school district in Delaware. The compensation and benefits are making me very happy and grateful. The past two years of struggle with Master's degree study, state certification, and personal loss have yielded great rewards. God is faithful and marvelous are God's works!!!!