Book Review: Assumption of Mary by Fr. Kilian J. Healy

Book Review: Assumption of Mary by Fr. Kilian J. Healy

I learned about the book The Assumption of Mary while finishing out Hail, Holy Queen. Upon learning about the book, I was very excited to read a book explaining the dogma of the Assumption of Mary. I am very thankful that Scott Hahn took the time to mention this book and I am also thankful that Carmelite Media continued to publish it.

About the author

Father Kilian J. Healy was born in 1912 in Massachusetts. He entered the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary in Niagara Falls in Ontario on August 15, 1930 where he made his solemn profession in 1934, also on August 15. Through time, Fr. Healy  earned a Lectorate in Theology. He taught theology, first at Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls and then at Whitefriars Hill in Washington DC, where he was named prior in 1945. Much of his priesthood was spent as a teacher in higher education as well as an author. He died at the age of 89 in 2003.

About the book

The Assumption of Mary is one of the only books available detailing this dogma. In my research I only found two others, neither of which carry the same pedigree as this author. It is not a spiritual work, instead offering an explanation of the historical, theological, and biblical roots of the dogma of the Assumption. The book itself is not long at 148 pages of reading pages.

It is separated into two main parts, “The Assumption in the Mystery of Christ” and “The Assumption in the Mystery of the Church.” In the first part, the author discusses the intimate union of the mystery of the Assumption with the mission of Christ. The second part takes us through a theological pondering an understanding of the relationship of Mary’s Assumption with the mystery of the Church, particularly militant, suffering, and triumphant.

Throughout the book, Fr. Healy presents the historical basis for the rich Christian traditional belief of the Assumption of Mary. He also discusses objections throughout the work leaving no stone unturned. He applies multiple lens included theological, historical, and spiritual.

My review

The dogma of Mary’s Assumption is a very challenging one to explain to non-Catholic Christians, primarily because of the silence of the Bible regarding this mystery. Fr. Healy had his work cut out for him to explain this dogma to the reader, and I think he did a thorough job. I enjoyed learning about Church history to better understand the Assumption of Mary. It was also very nice to learn more about the importance of this dogma and why it was rather necessary to declare it a dogma.

This book was not at all a spiritual book, but again as I always say, improving our intellectual understanding can help prepare for spiritual growth. Being less of a spiritual book made it easier to read through since meditation wasn’t necessary.

After reading The Assumption of Mary, I am better equipped to explain this beautiful dogma to others, as well as explain the basis for the Sacred Tradition of the Church in greater detail. This has also helped me to view the writings of the Church Fathers and various Saints in a different light that helps me see the development of Sacred Tradition over time.

Fr. Healy offers no shortage of references in explaining the Assumption of Mary. He views the dogma through numerous lenses and perspectives that help uncover valuable truths about the Assumption. I suggest every Catholic read this book to help understand the Assumption of Mary in greater detail and to grow closer to God through this mystery of the Faith. I assume you will want a copy, it is available here.