May 29, About Today for Saint Paul VI, Pope or Thursday in the 6th week of Easter Season

The Ascension of the Lord or Thursday in Easter or the Optional Memorial of Saint Paul VI, Pope

Solemnity

The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated today by the archdioceses and dioceses within the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Omaha and Philadelphia, for which the Ascension of the Lord always falls on the preceding Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter and is a Holyday of Obligation.[1]

This holy solemnity, which the Acts of the Apostles 1:3 situates forty days after the Resurrection, commemorates Jesus’ return to his Father in heaven.[2]

This solemn blessing for the Feast expresses its significance for us:

Blessing for Ascension:

May almighty God bless you on this day when his only Son
ascended into heaven to prepare a place for you.

R. Amen!

After his resurrection, Christ was seen by His disciples.
When He appears as judge may you be pleasing for ever in His sight.

R. Amen!

You believe that Jesus has taken His seat in majesty at the right hand of the Father. May you have the joy of experiencing that He is also with you to the end of time, according to His promise.

R. Amen![3]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD
[1] US Liturgical Calendar
[2] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “Ascension.”
[3] Prayer app: The ultimate reference to Catholic Prayers for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “Blessing for Ascension.”