This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it’s exactly one week before our first campus Mass and the kick off of a new semester. We’re so looking forward to welcoming new students, and welcoming returning students back.

The Assumption of our Lady that we celebrate this week provides us with a fitting meditation for the start of the academic year. The dogma of the Assumption teaches that at the conclusion of her earthly life, the mother of Jesus was assumed body and soul into heaven. As such, she shows us the fulfillment of God’s plan for each of us.

St Paul tells us in the second reading this Sunday that just as in Adam all die, in Christ all are brought to life “but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ” (1 Cor 15:22-23). Christ descended from heaven so that we might ascend with him back to heaven. No one belonged to Christ more than Mary, and her assumption into heaven is a “sneak preview” of the resurrection of the body that all those united to Christ will enjoy at the end of time. In other words, meditation on the Assumption helps us to be mindful of the end of our own lives; it reminds us of our purpose, and our goal.

That’s what makes it such a fitting meditation for the start of a new school year. The key to success in school – just as in life – is to stay mindful of your goal. The purpose of attending college is to gain an education. If you lose that focus, you will struggle in your studies. The purpose of life is to know, love and serve God. It is to discover yourself by discovering God, in whose image you are made. It is to love God more than anything (because God is infinitely lovable) and to love your neighbor as yourself (because your neighbor is just as lovable as you). If we lose our focus on that, we will find ourselves struggling in life.

College can be a time where you grow not just in knowledge, but in faith, hope and love. We’re here to help you do just that, which is why we’re so excited to see you back on campus in the coming days! We’ve got a full Week of Welcome planned starting with a hot dog lunch for all new students next Sunday before our first campus Mass of the year. You’ll find our Welcome Week schedule at WCUCatholic.org/schedule. We hope you’ll join us.