Ascension of the Lord - Prayer Service



This Thursday, May 21st, the Church around the world celebrates the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, when Jesus ascended back to the right hand of His Father in Heaven. 

You can pray the prayer service for the Mass of the feast day at home using this guide from our friends at the Magnificat devotional magazine.  There is an inspiring reflection in that prayer service by Carmelite Fr. Gabriel on how the Ascension gives us hope.

When to celebrate the feast day gets a little confusing because many but not all of the U.S. bishops (including Archbishop Schnurr) have  moved the liturgical celebration of the feast day from Thursday to Sunday, so more people could be at Mass on that day. 

In our current quarantine circumstances, since public Masses are still suspended, it would be fitting to celebrate it either tomorrow (Thursday) or this Sunday, May 24th.  If you watch a livestream Mass this weekend, depending on where it is coming from, you might see the Mass and readings for Ascension Day or for the 7th Sunday of Easter.  Don't worry too much about that!

There is a reason the solemn feast of the Ascension has historically been celebrated on Thursday  almost everywhere:  tradition tells us that the Lord ascended into Heaven 40 days after He rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.  So this year, Thursday, May 21st, is 40 days after Easter. 

The number "40" has a great deal of biblical significance.  Before the covenant with Noah, 40 days of rain covered the earth; Moses spent 40 days with the Lord God on the holy mountain at Sinai;  Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert; and so on.

The number "40" symbolizes many things, including a time of transition; waiting for the fulfillment of God's promises; testing, strengthening and purification to grow in holiness; and more.

After His Resurrection, Jesus promised that He would not leave us orphans and would send the Holy Spirit once He returned to His Father in Heaven.  He honors that promise at Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, which we'll celebrate on May 31st.

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