Why is Jesus’ rising to Heaven called “ascension” and Mary’s rising called “assumption?” There is a very important distinction. Jesus as God rises to heaven on His own power. Mary is drawn into heaven by the same power. For example, a helicopter rises by its own power as compared to someone being lifted into the air by a rope from a helicopter. The distinction is important because many Catholics (and most non-Catholics) get confused about the nature of the Blessed Mary. She is NOT divine. She is fully human. Consequently, we do not worship Mary. We honor her as the human mother of the divine and only Begotten Son, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity who became fully human without giving up His full Divinity. Because of her unique role in our salvation as the Mother of our Lord she reigns in heaven as Mother of the King, Christ Jesus. Your baptism made you an adopted sibling of Christ the King, princesses, and princes if you will. As such, Blessed Mother Mary is our adopted, spiritual mother. She prayerfully intercedes for us like any faithful mother only much more effectively due to her unique position and relationship to her Son our Lord. A right relationship with the Blessed Mother will never distract or compete with a Christian’s personal relationship with her Son. It’s quite the opposite. She will always defer to her Son and always lead you closer to Him. Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid.