In the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus holds a special place of significance, marking the glorious moment when Christ ascended into heaven in the presence of his disciples. Established by early Christian tradition and celebrated annually on the fortieth day after Easter Sunday, this feast commemorates a pivotal event in the life of Christ and holds deep theological and spiritual significance for Christians around the world.
The history of the Feast of the Ascension can be traced back to the earliest days of Christianity, with its roots grounded in the biblical accounts of Christ's post-resurrection appearances to his disciples. According to the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples after his resurrection, teaching them about the kingdom of God and commissioning them to continue his mission of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations. On the fortieth day, as the disciples gathered on the Mount of Olives, Jesus ascended into heaven, leaving them with the promise of his return and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The establishment of the Feast of the Ascension served to commemorate and celebrate this momentous event in the life of Jesus and the early Christian community. By fixing the date of the feast to the fortieth day after Easter, the Church sought to emphasize the significance of Christ's resurrection and ascension as integral aspects of the Paschal mystery - the saving work of Christ's death and resurrection. Moreover, the Ascension marked the culmination of Christ's earthly ministry and his exaltation to the right hand of the Father, affirming his divine identity and his reign over all creation.
The Feast of the Ascension holds profound theological and spiritual significance, serving as a reminder of Christ's victory over sin and death and his ongoing presence within the Catholic Church. The ascension of Jesus is not merely a historical event but a living reality that continues to shape the life and mission of the Church today. As Christ ascended into heaven, he promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower his disciples for their mission of evangelization (“and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem – Luke 24:47”), and to be with them always, even to the end of the age.
The Feast of the Ascension also serves as a source of encouragement and hope for all Christians, reminding us of our ultimate destiny and the promise of eternal life with God. Just as Christ ascended into heaven, so too we are called to lift our hearts and minds to heavenly things, seeking the things that are above and striving for holiness and righteousness in our lives. In the Ascension of Jesus, we find hope that our faith is not in vain and that one day, we too can share in Christ's glory.
While the Feast of the Ascension is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, some Catholic diocese and countries observe it on the coming Sunday, known as Ascension Sunday. This practice allows for greater participation by the faithful and ensures that the significance of Christ's ascension is duly recognised and celebrated within the context of the Lord’s Day.
The reason for the divergence in practice between Thursday and Sunday stems from historical and pastoral considerations within the Church. In some regions, the Feast of the Ascension has been transferred to the nearest Sunday as a Holy Day of obligation and to ensure that the faithful have the opportunity to participate fully in the commemoration of this important feast. In many places, Thursday was a working day, making it challenging for people to participate fully in the Church's liturgical celebrations. This practice also shows the Church's desire to emphasize the theological significance of the Lord’s Day as the primary day of worship commemorating both Christ’s resurrection and his ascension. By celebrating the Feast of the Ascension on Sunday, the Church emphasised the inseparable connection between Christ’s ascension and his victory over sin and death reinforcing the centrality of the Sunday mass obligation and/or Holy Days of obligation. This practice also served to unite Christians across diverse contexts in the shared celebration of Christ's exaltation, and reflects pastoral considerations aimed at fostering the greater participation of discipleship and the ongoing mission of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations.
Both observances of the Feast of the Ascension - on Thursday and Sunday - continue to be practiced within the Catholic Church, each offering a meaningful way to commemorate this significant event in the liturgical calendar. Both observances offer meaningful opportunities for us to reflect on the profound mystery of Christ's ascension and its enduring relevance for the life and mission of the Church. Whether celebrated on a Thursday or Sunday, the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus stands as a testament to the reality of Christ's triumph over sin and death, his ongoing presence with his Church, and his exaltation to the right hand of the Father. It is a time of reflection, celebration, and anticipation, as we look forward to the fulfilment of Christ's promise to come again and gather his faithful to himself. We are all reminded of our call to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel and to live in joyful hope of the coming of God's kingdom.
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