Ascension Thursday

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, June 1.

 

...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.

  

"...Christ's Ascension is our uplifting, and the hope of the Body is raised, whither the glory of the Head has gone before, let us exult, dearly-beloved, with worthy joy and delight in the loyal paying of thanks.

For today not only are we confirmed as possessors of paradise, but have also in Christ penetrated the heights of heaven, and have gained still greater things through Christ's unspeakable grace than we had lost through the devil's malice."- Pope St Gregory the Great - Sermon LXXIII

  

“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

 

Click here: Fr. Robert Barron-Why the Ascension of the Lord Matters (8 mins)

 

 

 

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.  BEGIN the NOVENA FRIDAY!

  

 "Let our hearts ascend with Christ."  ~ St Augustine

 

Click here: PENTECOST Novena of Seven Gifts

 

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.