Lord, open my lips.
 - And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Psalm 95 is the traditional Invitatory Psalm. Psalm 24, 67, or 100 may be substituted.

Antiphon: Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.

Psalm 95

Psalm 24

Psalm 67

Psalm 100

God, come to my assistance.
 - Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
 -  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen. Alleluia.


HYMN

Praise him as he mounts the skies, Alleluia!
Christ, the Lord of Paradise! Alleluia!
Cry hosanna in the height, Alleluia!
As he rises out of sight! Alleluia!

Now at last he takes his throne, Alleluia!
From all ages his alone! Alleluia!
With his praise creation rings: Alleluia!
Lord of lords and King of kings! Alleluia!

Hands and feet and side reveal, Alleluia!
Wounds of love, high priesthood’s seal! Alleluia!
Advocate, for us he pleads; Alleluia!
Heavenly Priest, he intercedes! Alleluia!

Christians, raise your eyes above! Alleluia!
He will come again in love, Alleluia!
On that great and wondrous day, Alleluia!
When this world will pass away! Alleluia!

At his word new heavens and earth, Alleluia!
Will in glory spring to birth! Alleluia!
Joy of angels, joy of men, Alleluia!
Come, Lord Jesus, come again! Alleluia!

Melody: Llanfair 7.7.7.7 with Alleluias; Music: Robert Williams, c. 1781-1821; Text: James Quinn, S.J., 1968


PSALMODY

Antiphon 1: Men of Galilee, why are you looking up into the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up into heaven will return in the same way, alleluia.

O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.

So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.

For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.

So I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.

On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night

for you have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.

My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.

Sing a new song to the Lord,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel rejoice in its Maker,
let Zion's sons exult in their king.

Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes delight in his people.
He crowns the poor with salvation.

Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
shout for joy and take their rest.

Let the praise of God be on their lips
and a two-edged sword in their hand,

to deal out vengeance to the nations
and punishment on all the peoples;

to bind their kings in chains
and their nobles in fetters of iron;

to carry out the sentence pre-ordained:
this honor is for all his faithful.

Antiphon 3: As they watched, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight, alleluia.


READING
Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are placed beneath his feet. By one offering he has forever perfected those who are being sanctified. - Hebrews 10:12-14


RESPONSORY
Christ ascended into heaven, alleluia, alleluia.
- Christ ascended into heaven, alleluia, alleluia.
He led captivity captive,
- alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
- Christ ascended into heaven, alleluia, alleluia.


BENEDICTUS (Canticle of Zechariah)
Antiphon: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God, alleluia.


INTERCESSIONS
The Lord has been lifted high above the earth and draws all things to himself. Let us cry out to him in our joy:

                 Lord Jesus, you are the King of glory.

Lord Jesus, King of glory, you were offered once as the victim for sins, and ascended to the right hand of the Father,
 - make perfect for all time those whom you sanctify.

Eternal Priest and minister of the new Covenant, you live for ever to make intercession for us,
 - save the people that prays to you.

You showed yourself alive after your passion and appeared to the disciples for forty days,
 - confirm our faith today.

Today you promised the Spirit to your apostles, to make them your witnesses to the ends of the earth,
 - by the power of the Spirit strengthen our own witness.


Our Father...


COLLECT
Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God,
and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,
for the Ascension of Christ your Son
is our exaltation,
and, where the Head has gone before in glory,
the Body is called to follow in hope.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.


May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to
everlasting life. Amen.

The English translation of Psalm Responses, Alleluia Verses, Gospel Verses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); the English translation of Antiphons, Invitatories, Responsories, Intercessions, Psalm 95, the Canticle of the Lamb, Psalm Prayers, Non-Biblical Readings from The Liturgy of the Hours © 1973, 1974, 1975, ICEL; excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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