August has a few meanings and as an adjective, it means “marked by majestic dignity or grandeur.”  As we travel through the days of August, we can see this grandeur of the world around us.  We witness the beginning of harvest season, summer storms that are breathtakingly beautiful and sometimes dangerous, families will gather for end of summer picnics, and many are preparing for the journey back to school.  With all this excitement, I think of those that do not see the grandeur of August but find themselves caught by the trauma of the death of someone they deeply love.

This is the month where we venerate the Immaculate Heart of Mary and celebrate her Assumption.  It is in this time of veneration and celebration that we turn to our faith as the foundation upon which we build the hope in the life to come.  We find in the Immaculate Heart of Mary the strength to meet the challenges of daily life and find in the beauty of God’s creation evidence of a paradise beyond our imagination.  It is in the Immaculate Heart where we find pure love and a willingness to accept the responsibility of being the mother of our Savior and she accepted to be with Him on his mission of redemption.  Mary accepted the burden of His suffering and death, always remaining faithful. 

Too often we forget how close we are to Mary, and we may even reject our faith in those moments when we do not understand why our loved one died.  When we suffer, we can turn to the Immaculate Heart and place our suffering in God’s hands through her. 

Do not despair because your faith is the light in the darkness for in God’s august mansion there are many dwelling places.

God bless you and may you find peace in the Immaculate Heart of Mary.