Liturgical Information
The Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord [Mass during the Day] (C)
Liturgical Color: White [Note: On more solemn days, festive, that is, more precious, sacred vestments may be used, even if not the color of the day [GIRM #346-g]. The colors gold or silver may be worn on more solemn occasions [GIRM #346-h].
Themes: glory, majesty, fulfillment, promise of Holy Spirit, baptism & mission
Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:
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 [Roman Missal]
Viri Galilæi, quid admiramini aspicientes in cælum?
alleluia: quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentum in cælum, ita veniet, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Ps. Omnes gentes plaudite manibus: iubilate Deo in voce exsultationis. [Graduale Romanum, p.235]
Viri Galilæi, quid admiramini aspicientes in cælum?
alleluia: quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentum in cælum, ita veniet, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Ps. Omnes gentes plaudite manibus: iubilate Deo in voce exsultationis. [Gregorian Missal, p.381]
Viri Galilæi, quid aspicitis in cælum?
Hic Iesus, qui assumptus est a vobis in cælum, sic veniet, alleluia. [Graduale simplex, pp.178]
Psalm 68, verses 1-8
Collect:
Glad-den us with holy joys, almighty God,
and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiv- ing,
for the Ascension of Christ you Son
is our exaltation,
and, where the Head has gone before in glory,
the Body is called to fol- low in hope.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Ho-ly Spirit,
one God, for ev-er and ev-er.
A-men.
— or —
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that we, who believe that your Only Begotten Son,
our Redeemer,
ascended this day to the heav- ens,
may in spirit dwell already in heav- en-ly realms.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Ho-ly Spirit,
one God, for ev-er and ev-er.
A-men.
Lectionary Readings:
- Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11 [He was lifted up while they were looking on. /v.9]
- Psalm 47:2-3 / 6-7 / 8-9 [R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. /v.6]
- Ephesians 1:17-23 [God seated Christ at His right hand in the heavenly places. /v.20]
— or —
Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 [Christ entered into heaven itself. /v.24] - Gospel Verse: Mt 28:19a,20b [Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.]
See Renaissance Alleluia [Eastertide verses] - Luke 24:46-53 [And it came to pass that while He was blessing them, He parted from them. /v.51]
See CNP's Book of Sung Gospels - 4th Edition
Offertory Antiphon:
Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking in the sky?
The Lord will return, just as you have seen him ascend, alleluia. Acts 1:11 **
Verses of Psalm 136 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.
Ascendit Deus in iubilatione, Dominus in voce tubæ, alleluia. [Graduale Romanum, p.237]
— or —
Viri Galilæi, quid admiramini aspicientes in cælum? Hic Iesus, qui assumptus est a vobis in cælum, sic veniet, quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentum in cælum, alleluia. [Graduale Romanum, p.237]
Ascendit Deus in iubilatione, Dominus in voce tubæ, alleluia. [Gregorian Missal, p.389]
— or —
Viri Galilæi, quid admiramini aspicientes in cælum? Hic Iesus, qui assumptus est a vobis in cælum, sic veniet, quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentum in cælum, alleluia. [Gregorian Missal, p.383]
Ascendit Deus in iubilatione, Dominus in voce tubæ, alleluia. [Graduale simplex, pp.182]
Psalm 47, verses 1-4
Prayer over the Offerings:
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 heav- en-ly realms.
Through Christ our Lord. A-men.
Preface II of the Ascension of the Lord: [The Mystery of the Ascension]
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…
Communion Antiphon:
Behold, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age, alleluia. Matthew 28:20 [Roman Missal]
(C) Psallite Domino, qui ascendit super cælos cælorum ad Orientem, alleluia. Psalm 68:33-34 [Graduale Romanum, p.238]
Psalm 34 can also be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.
(C) Psallite Domino, qui ascendit super cælos cælorum ad Orientem, alleluia. Psalm 68:33-34 [Gregorian Missal, p.386]
Sede a dextris meis, dixit Dominus Domino meo, alleluia. [Graduale simplex, pp.183]
Psalm 110, verses 1-6
Prayer after Communion:
Al- mighty ever-living God,
who allow those on earth to celebrate divine myster- ies,
grant, we pray,
that Christian hope may draw us onward
to where our nature is unit- ed with you.
Through Christ our Lord. A-men.
Solemn Blessing: [7. The Ascension of the Lord]
May alnighty 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.
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.
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.
Amen.
** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.
The English translation of the Entrance Antiphon [Introit], Collect, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Offerings, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion and Solemn Blessing from The Roman Missal, © Copyright 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corp. All rights reserved.
Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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