In the provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, and Philadelphia, Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter is celebrated as the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, also known as “Ascension Thursday.” In all other provinces in the United States of America the Feast of the Ascension is transferred to Sunday, replacing the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
Entrance Antiphon (Vigil): You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; praise the Lord, who ascends above the highest heavens; his majesty and might are in the skies, alleluia. (Ps 68 (67): 33, 35)
Entrance Antiphon (Day): Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw him go, alleluia. (Acts 1: 11)
Collect (Vigil): 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.
Collect (Day): 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,
one God, for ever and ever.
Or:
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,
one God, for ever and ever.
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or: Alleluia.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23
Gospel: Matthew 28:16–20
Prayer over the offerings (Vigil): O God, whose Only Begotten Son, our High Priest,
is seated ever-living at your right hand to intercede for us,
grant that we may approach with confidence the throne of grace
and there obtain your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the offerings (Day): We offer sacrifice now in supplication, O Lord,
to honor the wondrous Ascension of your Son:
grant, we pray,
that through this most holy exchange
we, too, may rise up to the heavenly realms.
Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon (Vigil): Christ, offering a single sacrifice for sins, is seated for ever at God’s right hand, alleluia. (Cf. Heb 10: 12)
Communion Antiphon (Day): Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, alleluia. (Mt 28: 20)
Prayer after Communion (Vigil): May the gifts we have received from your altar, Lord,
kindle in our hearts a longing for the heavenly homeland
and cause us to press forward, following in the Savior’s footsteps,
to the place where for our sake he entered before us.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Prayer after Communion (Day): Almighty ever-living God,
who allow those on earth to celebrate divine mysteries,
grant, we pray,
that Christian hope may draw us onward
to where our nature is united with you.
Through Christ our Lord.
Suggested Music:
Processional Hymn: Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise
Entrance Antiphon (Vigil): from the Ignatius Pew Missal
Entrance Antiphon (Day): from the Ignatius Pew Missal
Responsorial Psalm: from the Ignatius Pew Missal
Alleluia: from the Ignatius Pew Missal
Offertory Hymn: Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken
Communion Antiphon (Vigil): from the Ignatius Pew Missal
Communion Antiphon (Day): from the Ignatius Pew Missal
A Eucharistic Hymn is appropriate after communion
Recessional Hymn*: Sing We Triumphant Hymns of Praise
*For a list of Marian Hymns for the month of May, click here.