The Ascension of the Lord*
* The ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, and Philadelphia have retained its celebration on the proper Thursday, while all other provinces have transferred this Solemnity to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, June 5.
...the fortieth day after Easter Sunday, commemorating the Ascension of Christ
into heaven, according to Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:2.
In the liturgies the day is meant to celebrate the completion of the work
of our salvation, the pledge of our glorification with Christ,
and His entry into heaven with our human nature glorified.
Giotto
“Ascending once again to the Inaccessible Light…
You remain still in the ‘valley of tears,’
hidden beneath the appearances of a white host.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
The Feast of the Ascension marks the beginning of the first novena, or nine days of prayer. Before His Ascension, Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit to His apostles. Their prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which began on Ascension Thursday, ended with the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday ten days later. BEGIN PRAYING the NOVENA FRIDAY!
"Let our hearts ascend with Christ." ~ St Augustine
OR simply pray each day ...
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created,
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of Your faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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