Solemnity & Holy Day of Obligation

Take advantage of our resources for priests for formulating your homily. We offer a breakdown of the theological themes, useful meditations, material from great saints, popes and church fathers.

Divine Office

Antiphons:

1. Viri Galilaei, quid ascipitis in caelum? Hic Iesus, qui assumptus est a vobis in caelum, sic veniet, alleluia. [Ye men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, Who is taken up from you into heaven, shall return in the same manner, alleluia.]
2. Cumque intuerentur in caelum euntem illum, dixerunt, Alleluia. [And while they looked steadfastly towards heaven, as He went up, they said, Alleluia.]
3. Elevatis manibus benedixit eis, et ferebatur in caelum, alleluia. [He lifted up His Hands, and blessed them, and was carried up into heaven, alleluia.]
4. Exaltate Regem regum, et hymnum dicite Deo, alleluia. [Extol the King of kings, and ascribe praise to God, alleluia.]
5. Videntibus illis elevatus est, et nubes suscepit eum in caelo, alleluia. [While they beheld, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him in heaven. Alleluia.]

• Mag I: Pater, manifestavi nomen tuum hominibus quos dedisti mihi: nunc autem pro eis rogo, non pro mundo, quia ad te venio, alleluia [Father, I have manifested Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest Me but now I pray for them, nor for the world, because I come to Thee. Alleluia.]
• Ben: Ascendo ad Patrem meum, et Patrem vestrum: Deum meum et Deum vestrum, alleluia, alleluia. [I ascend unto My Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Alleluia, alleluia.]
• Mag II: O Rex gloriae, Domine virtutum qui triumphator hodie super omnes caelos ascendisti, ne derelinquas nos orphanos: sed mitte promissum Patris in nos, Spiritum veritatis, alleluia. [O King of glory, Lord of hosts, Who has this day exalted thine Own Self, with great triumph, above all the heavens, leave us not orphans but send unto us the Promise of the Father, even the Spirit of truth. Alleluia.]

Collect: Grant we beseech thee, Almighty God, that as we believe your Only-Begotten Son, our Saviour, to have this day ascended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind, thither ascend, and with Him continually dwell.  Through the same Lord.

Holy Mass

Vestments: White 

Introit: (Acts 1:10) Viri Galiaei, quid admiramini ascipientes in caelum? alleluia, quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentem in caelum, ita veniet, alleluia alleluia, alleluia. Ps 44.2. Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus, jubilate Deo in voce exsultationis. Gloria Patri… [Ye men of Galilee, why wonder you, looking up to heaven? alleluia.  He shall return as you have seen Him going up into heaven, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. O clap your hands, all ye nations, shout unto God, with the voice of exultation. Glory be to the Father…

Collect: Grant we beseech thee, Almighty God, that as we believe your Only-Begotten Son, our Saviour, to have this day ascended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind, thither ascend, and with Him continually dwell.  Through the same Lord.

Epistle: Acts 1:1-11

Gospel: Mark 16:14-20

Post-communion: Grant us, we beseech Thee, almighty and merciful God, that what we have received in visible mysteries may profit us by its invisible effect.  Through our Lord.