Bernard strongly
remonstrated, in an epistle to the monks of Lyons; a superstition which
has been supported and explained by discussions in no way profitable to
the head or the heart. [Epist. 174. Paris, 1632, p. 1538.]
[Footnote 104: Ut quibus beatae Virginis partus exstitit salutis
exordium, conceptionis ejus votiva solemnitas pacis tribuat
incrementum. H. 445.]
Of all these institutions however in honour of the Virgin, the Feast of
the ASSUMPTION appears to be as it were the crown and the
consummation[105]. This festival {298} is kept to celebrate the
miraculous taking up (assumptio) of the Virgin Mary into heaven. And its
celebration, in Roman Catholic countries, is observed in a manner worthy
a cause to which our judgment would give deliberately its sanction; in
which our feelings would safely and with satisfaction rest on the
firmness of our faith; from joining in which a truly pious mind would
have no ground for inward misgiving, nor for the aspiration, Would it
were founded in truth!
[Footnote 105: "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary is the
greatest of all the festivals which the Church celebrates in her
honour. It is the consummation of all the other great mysteries
by which her life was rendered most wonderful. It is the
birthday of her true greatness and glory, and the crown of all
the virtues of her whole life, which we admire single in her
other festivals.
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