Let’s follow Mary’s footprints through her lifetime. She used her feet to stay still in listening to the angel Gabriel rather than fleeing from the will of God. Her feet hastened nearly ninety miles to serve her pregnant kinswoman Elizabeth (Lk 1:39), and likewise to Egypt and back to save Jesus from assassination (Mt 2:14, 21). For over thirty years, Mary’s feet aided her in feeding and raising Jesus. Her feet eventually carried her to Calvary (Jn 19:25). There, at the cross with Jesus, God placed “all things under His feet” (1 Cor 15:27).

Despite intense grief after Jesus’ crucifixion, Mary set her footsteps toward the upper room to minister peace, forgiveness, restoration, and discipling to the apostles and disciples during the time between Jesus’ Resurrection and Pentecost (Acts 1:14). Thus the Church was born.

“Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin…was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 966). The moon is under her feet (Rv 12:1). As Queen of Heaven and Earth, her feet are standing at the right hand of King Jesus (see Ps 45:10).

Mary’s “beautiful” feet have been used to bring good news to the world (see Is 52:7). On this feast of the Assumption, may our feet dance with “gladness and joy” (Ps 45:16) as we follow the footsteps of Mary, who follows those of Jesus (Lk 9:23).

Rescript:  In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 2023

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.