 ASCENSION NOVENA From FAVORITE NOVENAS TO JESUS, Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, S.V.D. Catholic Book Publishing MEDITATION ON the fortieth day after His Resurrection, after having trained His Apostles for their high calling to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, Jesus prepared to ascend on high to where the glories of Heaven awaited Him. He blessed His loving Mother and His Apostles and disciples and bade them farewell. A cloud received Him out of their sight. The countless blessed spirits whom He had released from limbo accompanied Him as the first fruits of the redemption. All the hosts of Heaven's Angels came out to meet Him, the Savior of the world. As He took His place beside His Heavenly Father, the whole court of heaven gave forth a glorious song of praise. It was the song heard by John in his visions: "Worthy is the Lamb That was slain to receive power and wealth, wisdom and might, honor and glory and praise!" [Rv 5: 12]. Jesus ascended into Heaven to enter into possession of His glory. While on earth He had always enjoyed the vision of God, but the glory of His Sacred Humanity had shone forth only at His Transfiguration. On His Ascension into Heaven He took His place as Man beside His Heavenly Father and was exalted above all other human creatures. The night before He died Jesus prayed to His Father: "I have glorified You on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do. Do You now, Father, glorify Me at Your side, with the glory I had in Your presence before the world began" [Jn 17:4-5]. Since His Humanity is united to the Divine Word, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity , It enjoys the right of eternal glory. It shares with the Father the infinite bliss and mighty power of God. This is the reward for all He has done and merited on earth. In Heaven He is raised above all because on earth He has lowered Himself below all. When the struggle of this life is over Jesus will give us the grace to share His joy. and triumph in Heaven for all eternity. Jesus ascended into Heaven to be our Mediator with His Father. There He is pleading for us. He ascended into heaven to give an account to His Heavenly Father of the great work He had done on earth. The Church was born, grace springs up in abundance from His Cross of Calvary and is distributed through the Sacraments, God's justice is satisfied, Hell and death are conquered, Heaven is opened and man is saved. Jesus had a right to this glorious homecoming. Christ's Ascension is also the assurance of our own ascension into Heaven after the Last Judgment. He entered into His Kingdom to prepare a place for us, for He promised to come again to take us to Himself. Let us ascend into Heaven with Jesus in spirit there to dwell by faith, hope, and charity. Let us seek only the joys that are true! THE WORD OF GOD "After He had spoken to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at God's right hand." [Mk 16:19] "When He ascended on
high, He took a host of captives and gave gifts to His people." "If you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above, where Christ is seated at God's right hand. Be intent on things that are above rather than on things that are on earth." [CoI 3:1-2] NOVENA PRAYERS Novena Prayer JESUS, I honor Thee
on the feast of Thine Ascension into Heaven. I rejoice with all my I believe that Thou entereth into Thy glorious Kingdom to prepareth a place for me, for Thou hast promised to come again to taketh me to Thyself. Grant that I may seeketh only the joys of Thy friendship and love, so that I mayeth deserve to be united with Thee in Heaven. In the hour of my own homecoming, when I appeareth before Thy Father to giveth an account of my life on earth, have mercy on me. Jesus, in Thy love for me Thou hast brought me from evil to good and from misery to happiness. Giveth me the grace to riseth above my human weakness. May Thy Humanity giveth me courage in my weakness and freeth me from my sins. Through Thy grace giveth me the courage of perseverance, for Thou hast calleth and justifieth me by faith. May I hold fast to the life Thou hast given me and cometh to the eternal gifts Thou hast promised. Thou lovest me, dear Jesus. Help me to loveth Thee in return. I asketh Thee to grant this special favor: [Mention your request] By Thine unceasing care, guideth my steps toward the life of glory Thou hast prepared for those who love Thee. Maketh me grow in holiness and thanketh Thee by a life of faithful service. Prayer of Praise to Jesus in Glory I PRAISEThee, dearest Heart of Jesus, Fountain of all goodness. I praise Thee, most kind Heart of Jesus, for the boundless graces that hast flowed and shall continueth to flow from Thee into the souls of the just. I praise Thee, most gentle Heart of Jesus, for the tender love with which Thou hast so often refreshed devout hearts through Divine consolations. I praise Thee, most loving Heart of Jesus, for the fullness of Thy grace, the splendor of Thy virtues, the generosity of Thy Heart, and the purity of Thy love. I praise Thee, royal Heart of Jesus, for Thy victory over death and sin, Thy power over souls, and Thy triumph over the living and the dead. I praise Thee, Heart so poor and yet so rich, for having despiseth all earthly riches and for having renounced all earthly honors. I praise Thee, most obedient Heart of Jesus, that hungereth after the fulfillment of the Divine Will and thirsted after the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. I praise Thee, most generous Heart of Jesus, that did not seeketh Its own glory; most patient Heart, that willingly bore the greatest insults; most unselfish Heart, that longeth for and lovingly embrace the Cross. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, teacheth me to love Thee with my whole heart, and granteth that, according to the little strength I have, I may imitate Thy wonderful virtues. Amen. Prayer GOD our Father, maketh us joyful in the Ascension of Thy Son Jesus Christ. Mayeth we follow Him into the new creation, for His Ascension is our glory and our hope. We asketh this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignst with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen. www.catholictradition.org/Easter/easter27b.htm |
