Feast of the Ascension of the Lord
Holy Day of Obligation
Thursday, May 26

Masses:
Wednesday at 4:00 pm
&
Thursday at 7:00 am, 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm

The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated on the 40^th day after Easter Sunday and commemorates Christ’s ascension into heaven.  In the ancient Church this feast was known as the analepsis, ‘the taking up,’ and also as the episozomene, ‘the salvation,’ meaning that by ascending into His glory Christ completed the work of our redemption.  Tradition designates Mount Olivet near Bethany as the place where Christ left the earth. It is a feast that ranks with Good Friday, Easter and Pentecost.  St. Augustine, writing in the early 400s, wrote that the feast went back to the time of the Apostles themselves.
 

Mass Schedule for Holy Days of Obligation

In addition to Sundays there are six holy days of obligation observed by the Catholic Church. Catholics must attend Mass on these days. They are January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God ~ Ascension Thursday (always 40 days after Easter but the date changes from year to year) ~ August 15, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints; December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception; and December 25, Christmas.

Typically, at Christ the King we have offered four Masses for Holy Days of Obligation. We will continue to do so. But, as previously announced, we are experimenting with a couple of time changes this year. Mass attendance at the (former) 7:00 pm Vigil (the night before the feast) was often sparse (October 31, Halloween, is a good example; very few come). And attendance has been sparse at the 9:00 am on the feast day itself.

So, going forward this year we will offer four Masses as always - but two of the times will change. We are going to offer a 4:00 pm Vigil Mass and we will offer a Mass at 12:00 noon on the feast day. In the year ahead we will see if these time changes are more suitable for the faithful. We will continue to celebrate the 7:00 am (that will never change) and the 6:00 pm on the holy day itself. Keep your eye on the bulletin and the website for each individual holy day. The appropriate times will always be listed a week or two in advance.