The Bible does not report the death of Blessed Mother Mary. However, at least by the fourth century, a tradition celebrated “the Dormition of the Mother of God.” The word dormition, or falling asleep in the Lord, describes Mary’s death as being more than a natural process. Since Mary was the first believer in her Son, it is only fitting that she be the first to share in the Resurrection life that Jesus won for us at Easter. St. Paul in First Corinthians writes: “For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order.” The “proper order” is that Mary, Mother of the Church, precedes us into Easter life with Jesus.
