The Assumption of Mary with Kids
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Feast Day: August 15 – A Holy Day of Obligation in Many Countries
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most beautiful Marian feasts of the year. On August 15, Catholics around the world celebrate the belief that, at the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken body and soul into heaven.
This teaching, officially defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950 (Munificentissimus Deus), reflects the Church’s faith that Mary shares fully in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection. Isn’t that just so cool??
The Assumption reminds us of our own hope in the resurrection and the promise that we, too, are called to eternal life. In many places, the day is marked by Mass attendance, Marian processions, and the blessing of herbs and flowers—a tradition that goes back centuries.
Citation: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 966; Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus (1950).
Why Celebrate the Assumption with Kids?
- It deepens their love for Mary.
- It connects them with centuries of Catholic tradition.
- It helps them understand Heaven as our true home.
- It makes feast days exciting and memorable.
Snack Ideas for the Assumption of Mary with Kids
You all know that I am a firm believer in not needing to be fancy to live liturgically! However, we all need to eat (especially kids, man!).
So if you were feeling fancy, you might think about a themed snack idea for the feast of the Assumption by getting creative in the kitchen with foods that symbolize heaven, clouds, and Mary’s colors (blue and white).
Since synthetic food dyes are pretty terrible, I only recommend using a natural food dye like this one!
- Cloud Jello Cups – Blue gelatin (grass-fed is best!) layered with whipped cream or marshmallows for fluffy “heavenly” clouds.
- Blue & White Marian Cake – Bake a simple cake and decorate with blue frosting, blueberries, or whipped cream!
- Assumption Blueberry Shortcakes – Our blueberry bushes are going crazy right now! Shortcakes topped with natural whipped cream “clouds” and freshly harvested summer berries would make a fantastic and pretty fancy dessert!
- Blessed Herb Salad – Use fresh herbs (mint, basil, parsley) in honor of the traditional herb-blessing on this feast day. Toss some of those extra blueberries on top if you’re drowning in them like me!
Craft Ideas for the Assumption of Mary with Kids
These activities make the story of the Assumption come alive for children.
Our Lady of the Assumption Craft – A free printable where Mary “slides” from earth into heaven among the clouds.
Rosary Colouring Card: Give the gift of prayer! Kids colour and pray, then give this as a spiritual boquet to someone special!
Crown for Mary: Free printable flower crown for Mary.
How to Teach Kids About the Assumption
When speaking to kids about the Assumption, I like to keep my explanation simple but rooted in truth:
“At the end of her life, Mary’s body didn’t stay on earth. God brought her—body and soul—up to heaven to be with Jesus forever. One day, God will do the same for all people who love Him.”
Read the Gospel for the day (Luke 1:39-56) together, especially Mary’s Magnificat, and talk about how she always pointed to God.
Related Feast Day Traditions
- Attend Mass together (in many places, it’s a Holy Day of Obligation).
- Bring flowers or herbs to be blessed.
- Pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.
- Sing a Marian hymn like Salve Regina.
Blessing Prayer for Plants:
Almighty everlasting God, who by your Word alone brought into being the heavens, earth, sea, things seen and things unseen, and garnished the earth with plants and trees for the use of man and beast; who appointed each species to bring forth fruit in its kind, not only for the food of living creatures, but for the healing of sick bodies as well; with mind and word we urgently call on you in your great kindness to bless + these various herbs and fruits, thus increasing their natural powers with the newly given grace of your blessing. May they keep away disease and adversity from men and beasts who use them in your name; through Christ our Lord.
God, who through Moses, your servant, directed the children of Israel to carry their sheaves of new grain to the priests for a blessing, to pluck the finest fruits of the orchard, and to make merry before you, the Lord their God; hear our supplications, and shower blessings + in abundance upon us and upon these bundles of new grain, new herbs, and this assortment of produce which we gratefully present to you on this festival, blessing + them in your name. Grant that men, cattle, flocks, and beasts of burden find in them a remedy against sickness, pestilence, sores, injuries, spells, against the fangs of serpents or poisonous creatures. May these blessed objects be a protection against diabolical mockery, cunning, and deception wherever they are kept, carried, or otherwise used. Lastly, through the merits of the blessed Virgin Mary, whose Assumption we are celebrating, may we all, laden with the sheaves of good works, deserve to be taken up to heaven; through Christ our Lord.
God, who on this day raised up to highest heaven the rod of Jesse, the Mother of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that by her prayers and patronage you might communicate to our mortal nature the fruit of her womb, your very Son; we humbly implore you to help us use these fruits of the soil for our temporal and everlasting welfare, aided by the power of your Son and the prayers of His glorious Mother; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Side note: Here is a really interesting article explaining more about the blessings of herbs and fruit and how these became sacramentals!
Prayer for Families on the Feast of the Assumption
Mary, Queen of Heaven,
on this day when we honor your Assumption into glory,
we ask for your motherly care over our family.
Teach us to say “yes” to God as you did,
to trust Him in every joy and trial,
and to keep our eyes fixed on the promise of heaven.
Protect our home from harm,
guide our hearts in peace,
and lead us closer to your Son, Jesus.
Mary, assumed body and soul into heaven,
pray for us,
that we may one day share in the joy you now see forever.
Amen.
Remember,
The Assumption of Mary isn’t just about looking back at what God did for Mary—it’s about looking forward to what He promises for us.
No one does liturgical living perfectly, but even putting in a tiny bit of effort and celebrating this feast with your family helps plant seeds of faith, joy, and hope in Heaven.
Check out these Catholic devotions!
Come check out our new group, Kindling Wild Community, where we can connect!
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