Liturgical Information
The Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord (A)

Themes & Motives: glory, majesty, fulfillment, promise of Holy Spirit, baptism & mission

Introit:
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)

Opening Prayer:
God our 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, for ever and ever. Amen.

• 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]
• 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.]
• Matthew 28:16-20 [All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. /v.18]

Offertory Antiphon: **
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts, alleluia. [Psalm 47:6]
   — or —
Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up at the skies? This Jesus who has been taken from you will return, just as you saw him go up into the heavens, alleluia. [Acts of the Apostles 1:11]
     Verses of  Psalm 47  can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
receive our offering
as we celebrate the ascension of Christ your Son.
May his gifts help us rise with him
to the joys of heaven,
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Preface of the Ascension I: [The Mystery of the Ascension]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.

Today the Lord Jesus, the king of glory,
the conqueror of sin and death,
ascended to heaven while the angels sang his praises.

Christ, the mediator between God and man,
judge of the world, and Lord of all,
has passed beyond our sight,
not to abandon us but to be our hope.
Christ is the beginning, the head of the Church;
Where he has gone, we hope to follow.

The joy of the resurrection and ascension renews the whole world,
while the choirs of heaven sing for ever to your glory:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
I, the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world, alleluia. (Matthew 28:20)

Prayer after Communion:
Father,
in this eucharist
we touch the divine life you give to the world.
Help us to follow Christ with love
to eternal life where he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

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

After his resurrection, Christ was seen by his disciples.
When he appears as judge
May you be pleasing for ever in his sight. 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. Amen.

** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphons used here are cited in Latin (Ascendit Deus and Viri Galilæi) in the Graduale Romanum and the Graduale simplex. The English is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.

The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion, and Solemn Blessing from The Roman Missal, Copyright 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. 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.