The Ascension

Leader: O Lord, open my lips. All: And my mouth shall declare your praise.
The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Psalm 47

Antiphon:    God ascends to shouts of joy, the Lord to the blast of trumpets, alleluia.

All peoples, clap your hands,
cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,
great king over all the earth.

He subdues peoples under us
and nations under our feet.
Our inheritance, our glory, is from him,
given to Jacob out of love.

God goes up with shouts of joy;
the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
Sing praise for God, sing praise,
sing praise to our king, sing praise.

God is king of all the earth.
Sing praise with all your skill.
God is king over the nations;
God reigns on his holy throne.

The princes of the peoples are assembled
with the people of Abraham’s God.
The rulers of the earth belong to God,
to God who reigns over all.

Glory to the Father...

Antiphon:    God ascends to shouts of joy, the Lord to the blast of trumpets, alleluia.

Reading: From a Sermon by St. Augustine

Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him. Listen to the words of the Apostle: If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; seek the things that are above, not the things of earth.

Pray either the Canticle of Zechariah or the Canticle of Mary. You can find them here.
Antiphon for the Canticle of Zechariah:   I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God, alleluia.
Antiphon for the Canticle of Mary:   O Victor King, Lord of power and might, today you have ascended in glory above the heavens. Do not leave us orphans, but send us the Father’s promised gift, the Spirit of truth, alleluia.

Intercessions

May we follow in your path to the Father.
Lord Jesus, you were raised up to Heaven, hear our prayer!
Draw all things to yourself.
Lord Jesus, you were raised up to Heaven, hear our prayer!
Strengthen our witness to you through the Holy Spirit.
Lord Jesus, you were raised up to Heaven, hear our prayer!

Dear Jesus,
When your mission was accomplished you returned to your Father. Send us the Holy Spirit so that we too may return to the Father. We ask the Father for this in your name in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen.