As every year, August 15 is a public holiday in France. For Christians, this day marks the Assumption. Explanations.
Most French people will enjoy this Tuesday, August 15, a public holiday. For some, Catholic Christians, this date represents a religious holiday: The Assumption. France 3 Corsica explains to you what this day represents in a few points.
What is the Assumption?
For Catholic Christians, the Assumption marks the ascent into heaven of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. The day is usually accompanied by festivities for Catholics or processions or even pilgrimages, especially to Lourdes.
Be careful not to confuse the Assumption with the Ascension. The latter is celebrated forty days after Easter and marks the last meeting of Jesus with his disciples after his Resurrection before his elevation to heaven.
Since when is August 15 a public holiday?
This date is based on the decision of King Louis XIII. Without heir after twenty years of marriage, he asks his subjects to make, in each parish, on August 15, a procession in order to have a son.
With the announced birth of the future Louis XIV the year following this request, he decided to officially consecrate the country to the Virgin Mary in 1638. Thus, August 15 has become a national holiday and therefore a public holiday.
And Napoleon?
In 1806, the new imperial regime established August 15 as a national holiday. The day of birth of the emperor and decreed “ Saint Napoleon », this date coincides with the Assumption as well as with the signing of the concordat of 1801. Reinstated by Napoleon III, the celebration of the Saint Napoleon lasted until 1870.
