EasterSolemnity

The Ascension of the Lord

The Ascension celebrates the risen Jesus entering the Father’s glory and sending His disciples to bear witness to Him. Our humanity has been raised in Him, and the Church awaits the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray with Mary for apostolic courage, and entrust to her one person whom you hope to bring closer to her Son.

Keep this day with Mary

The Church’s prayer today

United States Roman Calendar · Year B → Year C at Advent · Cycle I. Liturgical color: white.

Scripture for the liturgy

Acts 1:1-11/Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13/Mk 16:15-20 (58)

These references follow the annual calendar, including permitted reading choices. Optional memorials ordinarily retain the weekday readings. Daily reading pages for this future year may not yet be published. Use these references with the USCCB Bible, or open the annual calendar.

On the chastity of Mary

Purity · Read with the saints

Three are the means, as the Masters of the spiritual life say with Bellarmine: Jejunium, periculorum evitatio, & oratio — Fasting, the avoiding of dangers, and prayer. By fasting is understood mortification, especially of the eyes and of the palate.

St. Alphonsus de Liguori · The Glories of Mary · On the Chastity of Mary · excerpt

Make this prayer your own

I take you for my all. Give me your heart, O Mary!

St. Louis de Montfort · True Devotion to Mary §266

One faithful act

Follow the means St. Alphonsus names: mortification, avoiding occasions of sin, and prayer.

Prepare for Confession
Calendar scope and local observance

Dates, ranks, and reading references follow the official calendar for the dioceses of the United States, with Ascension on Sunday. Diocesan, parish, patronal, and religious-family calendars may differ. Consult your parish for Mass schedules and obligations. The Marian meditation is a devotional aid accompanying the day.

Where Ascension is kept on Thursday

For the ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Omaha, and Philadelphia: Seventh Sunday of Easter · Sunday · white.

Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26/1 Jn 4:11-16/Jn 17:11b-19 (60)

Sources for this teaching