Ascension “Sunday” – Alleluia Sing To Jesus – No Matter the Day!

Alleluia, Sing To Jesus

Alleluia! sing to Jesus!
His the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph
His the victory alone:
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood;
Jesus, out of every nation,
Hath redeemed us by his Blood.

Alleluia! not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us,
Faith believes nor questions how:
Though the cloud from sight received him,
When the forty days were o’er
Shall our hearts forget his promise,
“I am with you evermore”?

Alleluia! Bread of angels,
Thou on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! here the sinful
Flee to thee from day to day:
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
Earth’s Redeemer, plead for me,
Where the songs of all the sinless
Sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluia! King eternal,
Thee the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
Earth thy footstool, heav’n thy throne:
Thou within the veil hast entered,
Robed in flesh, our great High Priest;
Thou on earth both Priest and Victim
In the Eucharistic feast.

Melody: Hyfrydol 87.87.D; Music: R. H. Prichard, 1811-1887; Text: William Chatterton Dix, 1837-1898

Ascension Thursday . . . in Some Dioceses!

Although Ascension Thursday has been traditionally celebrated on . . . Thursday, many dioceses have opted to move the feast day to Sunday. May 29, 2014 is the ‘official’ Ascension Thursday this year but, unless you attend a Latin Rite Mass, you are having that important day celebrated on Sunday.

When I was growing up, Holy Days of Obligations often fell on inconvenient days! By that, I mean, we might have to race home from work or school and forego television, easy going family dinners, etc. in order to attend Mass as required. It was often a challenge but, some how, the extra effort added to a weekday evening celebratory Mass. Seemed to be there was always a crowded attendance, too. Like parents, perhaps bishops should make our faith a bit more of a challenge/sacrifice to instill in us the importance of the day. When my mother stopped short on discipline, I often expected more leniency the next time . . . and the next time . . . If our faith is important, we should make it important!