For the Great Feast of the Ascension of our Lord

                                       

From a sermon by Pope Leo the Great, we read, “Christ's Ascension has given us greater privileges and joys than the devil had taken from us. Accordingly, dearly-beloved, throughout this time which elapsed between the Lord's Resurrection and Ascension, God's Providence had this in view, to teach and impress upon both the eyes and hearts of His own people that the Lord Jesus Christ might be acknowledged to have as truly risen, as He was truly born, suffered, and died. And hence the most blessed Apostles and all the disciples, … were so strengthened by the clearness of the truth that when the Lord entered the heights of heaven, not only were they affected with no sadness, but were even filled with great joy. And truly great and unspeakable was their cause for joy, when in the sight of the holy multitude, above the dignity of all heavenly creatures, the Nature of mankind went up, to pass above the angels' ranks and to rise beyond the archangels' heights, and to have Its uplifting limited by no elevation until, received to sit with the Eternal Father, It should be associated on the throne with His glory, to Whose Nature It was united in the Son. Since then 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. For us, whom our virulent enemy had driven out from the bliss of our first abode, the Son of God has made members of Himself and placed at the right hand of the Father, with Whom He lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.”

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The following prayer is one of adoration and thanksgiving to God. The prayer recognizes God's work in our whole life, and adores Him, thanks Him, and humbly seeks His mercy. Our lives are filled with God's love in every aspect of our day and night, and it is important to recognize His presence and love in each moment, even the most ordinary. Sometimes this requires slowing down and giving our heart to Almighty God. May we always remember to thank Him for His great gifts to us. However, as the great feast of the Ascension of our Lord draws near, let us especially thank our Lord for His Ascension into heaven, praising Him with immense joy as Pope Leo suggested in his sermon. 

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An Act of Adoration and Thanksgiving

O Eternal God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost; the beginning and end of all things, in Whom we live and move and have our being; prostrate before Thee in body and soul, I adore Thee with the most profound humility. I bless Thee and give Thee thanks for all the benefits Thou has conferred upon me, especially that Thou hast created me out of nothing, made me after Thine own image and likeness, redeemed me with the Precious Blood of Thy Son, and sanctified me with Thy Holy Ghost. I thank Thee that Thou hast called me into Thy Church, helped me by Thy grace, admitted me to Thy Sacraments, watched over me by Thy special Providence, blessed me, notwithstanding my sins and unworthiness, with Thy continuing and gracious protection, and for all the innumerable blessings which I owe to Thy undeserved bounty. I thank Thee especially for having preserved me during the past night and for bringing me in safety to the beginning of another day. What return can I make to Thee, O my God, for all that Thou hast done for me? I will bless Thy Holy Name and serve Thee all the days of my life. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me praise His Holy Name. Amen. 

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The following hymn is from the 7th or 8th century and is for Vespers of the feast of the Ascension of our Lord.

Hail, Thou who man’s Redeemer Art 

Hail, Thou who man’s Redeemer art, 

Jesu, the joy of every heart; 

Great Maker of the world’s wide frame,

 And purest love’s delight and flame: 

What nameless mercy Thee o’ercame, 

To bear our load of sin and shame? 

For guiltless, Thou Thy life didst give, 

That sinful erring man might live. 

The realms of woe are forced by Thee, 

Its captives from their chains set free; 

And Thou, amid Thy ransomed train, 

At God’s right hand dost victor reign. 

Let mercy sweet with Thee prevail, 

To cure the wounds we now bewail; 

Oh, bless us with Thy holy sight, 

And fill us with eternal light. 

Our guide, our way to heavenly rest, 

Be Thou the aim of every breast; 

Be Thou the soother of our tears, 

Our sweet reward above the spheres.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Novena for the Feast of Ascension Thursday

 As Holy Mother Church celebrates the feast of Ascension Thursday, this year on May 29, let us ponder our Lord's glory and power as we remember this feast, 40 days after Easter Sunday, when He ascended into heaven. The following novena prayer for the feast of the Ascension of Jesus begins on May 20 and continues for nine days, ending the day before Ascension Thursday.

Novena for the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus

Jesus, I honor You on the feast of Your Ascension into heaven. I rejoice with all my heart at the glory into which You entered to reign as King of heaven and earth. When the struggle of this life is over, give me the grace to share Your joy and triumph in heaven for all eternity. I believe that You entered into Your glorious Kingdom to prepare a place for me, for You promised to come again to take me to Yourself. Grant that I may seek only the joys of Your friendship and love, so that I may deserve to be united with You in heaven. In the hour of my own homecoming, when I appear before Your Father to give an account of my life on earth, have mercy on me. Jesus, in Your love for me, You have brought me from evil to good and from misery to happiness. Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness. May Your humanity give me courage in my weakness and free me from my sins. Through Your grace give me the courage of perseverance, for You have called and justified me by faith. May I hold fast to the life You have given me and come to the eternal gifts You promised. You love me, dear Jesus. Help me to love You in return. I ask You to grant this special favor, (Mention request). By Your unceasing care, guide my steps toward the life of glory You have prepared for those who love You. Make me grow in holiness and thank You by a life of faithful service.

Prayer of Praise to Jesus in Glory (pray as part of the novena)

I praise You, dearest Heart of Jesus, fountain of all goodness. I praise You, most kind Heart of Jesus, for the boundless graces that have flowed and shall continue to flow from You into the souls of the just. I praise You, most gentle Heart of Jesus, for the tender love with which You have so often refreshed devout hearts through divine consolations.

I praise You, most loving Heart of Jesus, for the fullness of Your grace, the splendor of Your virtues, the generosity of Your Heart, and the purity of Your love. I praise You, royal Heart of Jesus, for Your victory over death and sin, Your power over souls, and Your triumph over the living and the dead. I praise You, Heart so poor and yet so rich, for having despised all earthly riches and for having renounced all earthly honors.

I praise You, most obedient Heart of Jesus, that hungered after the fulfillment of the Divine Will and thirsted after the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. I praise You, most generous Heart of Jesus, that did not seek Its own glory; most patient Heart, that willingly bore the greatest insults; most unselfish Heart, that longed for and lovingly embraced the cross. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach me to love You with my whole heart, and grant that, according to the little strength I have, I may imitate Your wonderful virtues. 

God, the Father, make us joyful in the Ascension of Your son, Jesus Christ. May we follow Him into the new creation, for His Ascension is our glory and our hope. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.