Because she belonged to Christ (2), Mary, our queen (Ps), is raised on high (3), a great sign (1) for all who believe in her Son. The Natale or Dormitio ("Falling-asleep") of Mary came to be cele-brated as early as the 5th c. in the East and in Rome; patroness of France, Paraguay, Jamaica, South Africa, and New Caledonia. Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab Ps 45:10-12, 16 1 Cor 15:20-27 Lk 1:39-56