May 12, 2024

“Moses brought out of Egypt a timid nation, and in the space of forty years trained it to be full of valor for the task of conquering the promised land; Christ in forty days trains His apostles to be bold and patient instead of cowards. They mourned and wept at the beginning of the season, but at the end they are full of courage for the good fight; their spirits mount high with their Lord, and when He is received out of their sight, and their own trial begins, they return to Jerusalem with great joy, and are continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.” – Saint John Henry Newman 

“As the prophet says, Ascending on high He led captivity captive; He gave gifts to men.. The undoubted meaning of these words is this: that since the devil led the human race captive, our Lord, by wresting it from him, took it captive Himself, and as the prophet tells us, led that very captivity to the heights of heaven. Both captivities do indeed bear the same name, but they differ one from the other. The devil’s captivity means enslavement; Christ’s, on the contrary, means restoration to freedom.” – Saint Maximus of Turin  

O God, whose Son today ascended to the heavens as the Apostles looked on, grant, we pray, that, in accordance with His promise, we may be worthy for Him to live with us always on earth, and we with Him in heaven. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (Ascension, at the Vigil Mass, Collect) 

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Ascension, at the Mass during the day, Collect #1) 

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who believe that your Only Begotten Son, our Redeemer, ascended this day to the heavens, may in spirit dwell already in heavenly realms. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Ascension, at the Mass during the day, Collect #2) 

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For the Lord Jesus, the king of glory, conqueror of sin and death, ascended (today) to the highest heavens, as the angels gazed in wonder. Mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of hosts, He ascended, not to distance Himself from our lowly state but that we, His members, might be confident of following where He, our Head and Founder, has gone before. Therefore, overcome with paschal joy, every land, every people exults in Your praise and even the heavenly Powers, with the angelic hosts, sing together the unending hymn of Your glory, as they acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… (Preface for the Ascension of Our Lord #1) 

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For after His Resurrection He plainly appeared to all his disciples and was taken up to heaven in their sight, that He might make us sharers in his divinity. Therefore, overcome with paschal joy, every land, every people exults in Your praise and even the heavenly Powers, with the angelic hosts, sing together the unending hymn of Your glory, as they acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… (Preface for the Ascension of Our Lord #2) 

May almighty God bless you, for on this very day His Only Begotten Son pierced the heights of heaven and unlocked for you the way to ascend to where He is. R. Amen. / May He grant that, as Christ after His Resurrection was seen plainly by His disciples, so when He comes as Judge He may show Himself merciful to you for all eternity. R. Amen. / And may you, who believe He is seated with the Father in His majesty, know with joy the fulfillment of His promise to stay with you until the end of time. R. Amen. / And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever. R. Amen. (The Ascension of Our Lord Solemn Blessing) 

Two Parishes, One Heart,    

Fr. Adam