What is Ascension Day?
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (colloquially known as Ascension Thursday or Ascension Day) is one of the great solemnities, in the Christian liturgical calendar, and commemorates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter. However, some Roman Catholic provinces have moved the observance to the following Sunday. The feast is one of the ecumenical feasts (i.e., universally celebrated), ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter, and Pentecost. In Western Christianity, the earliest possible date is April 30th, the latest possible date is June 3rd.
Vatican City - The " keyword " of the Feast of the Ascension is "going" or rather "leaving" ... : Jesus leaves to be with his Father, the disciples leave to go out into the world". This is how Pope Francis described the Solemnity of the Ascension, which is celebrated 40 days after Easter (or the following Sunday). Speaking to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the recitation of the Regina Caeli, the Pope explained, "Jesus leaves, he ascends to heaven, that is, returns to the Father from whom he had been sent into the world. But this is not a separation, because He remains with us forever, in a new form ... Jesus remains present and active in the affairs of human history with the power and the gifts of his Spirit, He is right beside each of us: even if we cannot see him with our own eyes, He is there! He accompanies us, guides us, He takes us by the hand and raises us when we fall. The risen Jesus is near to the Christians who are persecuted and discriminated against, he is close to every man and woman who suffers." Together let us all say: The Lord is with us. Do you believe this ? Let us say together: the Lord is with us".
" And what does he bring as a gift to the Father? His wounds ... He says: Look Father, this is the price of the forgiveness that You give. And when the Father looks at us, He forgives us because He always sees the price of this forgiveness ... Do not be afraid to ask for forgiveness because Jesus paid for us".
"Jesus says to his missionary disciples - he added - " I am with you always, until the end of the world." (v. 20) Alone, without Jesus, we can do nothing! Our strengths, our resources, our capabilities are not enough in apostolic work, even if they are necessary. Without the presence of the Lord and the power of his Spirit, our work, even though well-organized it is ineffective ".
"But I would like you not to forget the gift that Jesus brings to the Father. What is the gift? His wounds. And together with Jesus Mary our Mother accompanies us. She is already in the house of the Father, she is the Queen of Heaven, and so we invoke her at this time, but just as Jesus is with us, she walks with us, she is the Mother of our hope".