(n): (logic) a proposition that is accepted as true in order to provide a basis for logical reasoning
(n): a hypothesis that is taken for granted
(n): a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena
(n): the act of taking possession of or power over something
(n): the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something
(n): celebration in the Roman Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary's being taken up into heaven when her earthly life ended; corresponds to the Dormition in the Eastern Orthodox Church
(n): a day when Catholics must attend Mass and refrain from servile work, and Episcopalians must take Communion
(n): (Christianity) the taking up of the body and soul of the Virgin Mary when her earthly life had ended
(n): a marvellous event manifesting a supernatural act of a divine agent
(n): audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
(n): aggressive boldness or unmitigated effrontery
(n): the act of assuming or taking for granted
(n): something that people do or cause to happen
I would certainly agree that the choice of "assume" was deliberate for its passive qualities. I wonder if that has more to do with the fact that Mary is female (and therefore, like a good female, subservient) or with the fact of divine origin. That is, since Jesus was the son of God, he could ascend of his own power, while Mary, who no one ever said was anything but a very obedient and saint-like human, did not possess the godlike power to ascend of her own power.
Also she probably needed permission. It's only polite, you don't go crashing parties if you're the mother of God.
I thought it was a kind of teletransport noise? You know, a sort of humming-electronic sound.
In Catholic terms, this refers to the mode of ingress of Mary, the mother of Jesus, into heaven. One assumes (har-de-har-har) that the choice of the quasi-passive verb "assume" was deliberate. Jesus ascended into heaven, but Mary was assumed up there, presumably to the accompaniment of some kind of giant sucking noise.
Related terms: Ascension Thursday and the Feast of the Assumption (August 15th), commemorating the respective trips of Jesus and Mary.