ASCENSION DAY

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD (IN ASCENSIONE DOMINI) in the traditional Roman Rite, celebrated forty days after Easter, marks the triumphant return of Christ to the Father, as recounted in Acts 1:1–11, where the Risen Lord, having completed the work of redemption, visibly ascends into Heaven before His disciples; this is not a departure in absence, but an exaltation in glory, for Christ enters as High Priest into the heavenly sanctuary to intercede perpetually for His Church, “leading captivity captive” and opening the gates of Heaven to the redeemed; the liturgy is marked by both solemn joy and a note of longing, as the Church rejoices in the glorification of her Head while awaiting the coming of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, reflected in the traditional extinguishing of the Paschal Candle after the Gospel to signify the end of Christ’s visible presence on earth; spiritually, the feast calls the faithful to lift their hearts to things above, to seek the heavenly homeland where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and to live in hopeful expectation, grounded in the promise of the angels: “This same Jesus… shall so come as you have seen Him going into Heaven,” thereby uniting triumph, mission, and eschatological hope in the mystery of the Ascension.

Low Mass with hymns followed by fellowship – please click on the Invitation link below to notify attendance.