The Fourth Glorious Mystery

Well, would St. Peter have already been there waiting for Mary? Or would she have beaten him to it? Which event occurred first: Peter's martyrdom or Mary's Assumption?

Mother Mary is showing her humility as the lowly handmaiden of the Lord in the Annunciation and Magnificant.

All the apostles were martyred except St. John, who took care of Mary. Then Mary was assumed after her dormition (she was much older than St. John, obviously). Then St. John died.

That's my understanding . . . but I'm sure you could challenge it.

According to Anne Catherine Emmerich, the Blessed Mother died before any of the apostles did. St. John had sent word out that she was dying. They were all there in prayer as she passed, (yes, accept Thomas) and when Thomas arrived they took him to the place where she had been placed. When they removed the stones to show him, her body was gone, but the burial clothing was still there, along with the vail that had covered her face.

It is said by Anne Catherine that the first Stations of the Cross were made by Mary. The stations started at the Blessed Mothers home all the way to where they placed her body. Anne Catherine said that this would all be found, the home and burial place, in time. Interesting reading.

Reminds me of the time I actually heard a priest say in a homily that the Assumption was an "assumption"... he got calls to the Bishop on that one.

i.e., "... when Thomas arrived they took him to the place where she had been placed. When they removed the stones to show him, her body was gone ..."

Thomas: she was taken up to heaven?

Eleven: that's the assumption.

Yes--I heard this joke years ago in the form of a Tom Swifty:
"So, this must be Heaven," Mary assumed.
Which inspired other religious Tom Swifties, such as:
"I'm tired of Ur; I'll become a nomad," Abram said intently.
There are more. I could unload them during Lent for some penitential reading.

Oh, that was good!

And Fr Tony, bring on the Tom Swifties -- I haven't heard any in years, let alone any *Catholic* Tom Swifties!

Ah, who could forget the Tom Swifties....