Some dioceses still celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord on Ascension Thursday and some celebrate it today, the following Sunday. Traditionally (and probably in the new as well), the Ascension is invoked in the Mass from Ascension Thursday until the Vigil of Pentecost. So it is appropriate to keep this final event of Our Lord on earth, in our thoughts and prayers through the coming week.
We should also keep in mind, novenas to the Holy Ghost are often said during the 9 days between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost. Catholic Online states: “This is the prototype of all novenas. It commemorates the nine days between the Ascension of Our Lord and the Descent of the Holy Ghost on the first Pentecost Sunday. During this time Our Lady and the twelve Apostles prayed in the Cenacle for the coming of the Paraclete. Our Lord Himself instituted this novena, and it is celebrated every year by the whole Church.” The Novena to the Holy Ghost for the Seven Gifts is well-known, quite beautiful, and there are indulgences attached. Certainly, it can be said anytime, and if you’re a few days late, don’t let that discourage you!
I wrote the following litany on Ascension Thursday and published it here on May 5, 2016. I haven’t published it since, so here it is again. According to canon law, there is no problem with posting a private prayer on the internet (I have consulted a canon lawyer about this). For a meditation on the Ascension, please see “Rosary Meditations” button to the right >>>
Litany of the Ascension of Our Lord
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
+ + +
Lord, Ascended to the right Hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
Lord, Ascended forty days after Thy Resurrection, etc.
Lord, Ascended in the company of angels,
Lord, Ascended in the company of Thy Holy Mother,
Lord, Ascended in the company of Thine Apostles,
Lord, Ascended before us, where we are to follow,
Lord, Ascended with a shout and the sound of a trumpet,
Lord, Ascended with great song,
Lord, Who shall so come as we have seen Thee going up,
Lord, Who calls us to mindfulness of heavenly things,
Lord, Who sent Thine Apostles to the uttermost parts of the earth,
Lord, Who was raised up into a cloud,
Lord, Who led captivity captive,
Lord, Who saves the believer and the baptized,
Lord, Who condemns the unbeliever,
Lord, Who glorifies Thy children,
Lord, Who protects Thy children,
Lord, Who mercifully grants Everlasting Life,
Lord, Who mounts above the Heaven of Heavens to the east,
+ + +
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
LET US PRAY
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who said: "Go ye into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature," grant we beseech Thee, to wage a fearless war for souls, ever defending the truth of the Good News, that we may one day follow Thee to the place of Thine Ascension, beyond the clouds. May we keep this vision before us always, making all our burdens light, all the darkness of this present life bearable.
Make us, O Lord, to reverence and keep pure, our sacred bodies, a reflection of which ascended in glorified form to the Father, Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
From the “Catholic Prepper” perspective, it is advisable to gather as much printed material as possible. This is due to the possibility of electrical grid failure or the disruption of the availability of what we now take for granted. Keep books and papers in a cool dry place away from the threat of flooding. Consider keeping print-outs organized in files or binders.
