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To Commemorate the Declaration of the Dogma of the Assumption, the Vatican Postal Administration released a set of two stamps on May 8, 1851. A Dogma is the proclaiming of a certain truth by the Pope, and it is to be accepted and believed by all of the Catholic Church. A Dogma never is declared on the spur of the moment. Many months and more often years are devoted to research and study of the article of faith. Theologians and Cardinals examine the Holy Scriptures and all available documents to ascertain the truth of the belief. Both the pros and cons are heard and the evidence carefully weighed. If, after this long study, the article of faith has been proven a fact it is defined and proclaimed by the reigning Pontiff as an infallible Dogma and must be accepted by the faithful. The belief that was defined and promulgated by Pope Pius XII in 1950, was the Assumption: the belief that upon the death of Mary, the Mother of God, her body as well as her soul rose to heaven on a cloud surrounded by Angels. The Blessed Virgin was the only mortal to be brought to heaven in this manner. |
| (National Philatelic Museum, Volume VII, Number 1, 1954, pages 61-107) We are greatful to the Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum for allowing the Vatican Philatelic Society to use the copyrighted text on our website. |
