Thursday, May 17, 2012

He ascended into heaven...

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord* ...
*All worldwide and ecclesiastical U.S. provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia and the state of Nebraska have retained this celebration on Thursday, while all other U.S. provinces have transferred this Solemnity to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 20.
 
 
...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.
  
 

“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

 
Fr Antoine Thomas, CSJ, celebrating Holy Mass

The Feast of the Ascension marks the beginning of the first novena, or nine days of prayer.  Today, Catholics recall that first novena by praying the Novena to the Holy Ghost between Ascension and Pentecost, asking for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. You can take part in the novena by signing up for a free e-mail reminder for the Novena to the Holy Ghost. BEGIN PRAYING the NOVENA FRIDAY!  Try to attend Mass each day...
  
 "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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