Solemnity of the Assumption Aug. 15

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation, will be celebrated Aug. 15. The mid-August feast day commemorates Mary’s assumption into heaven, body and soul, after her earthly life.

After consulting with the world’s bishops, Pope Pius XII made the Assumption a doctrine of the church during a Nov. 1, 1950 celebration at St. Peter’s Square.

It was the only exercise of papal infallibility in the 20th century.