Homily for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, delivered in St John's Catholic Primary School, Gladstone.

"Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with the twelve stars on her head for a crown." (cf. Rev 11).

"The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold." (cf. Ps 45).

"Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’" (cf. Lk 1).

Artwork: "Mariä Himmelfahrt" by Peter Paul Rubens (16th Century).