Thursday, May 14, 2015

May 14: Feast of the Ascension

L'Ascension
by Guillaume Fouace

History

Today is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics all over the world - although in some dioceses, the feast has been moved to Sunday. Be sure to go to Mass today - even if the feast has been moved in your diocese, make the effort! It's a very special day. This feast celebrates Jesus ascending into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, just like we say in the Creed at every Mass. This is a very important event because it is like a promise to us that we, too, will go to heaven some day, Lord willing.

This feast has been celebrated for many centuries in different ways. In parts of Italy, families go on a picnic and the children hunt for crickets, which they keep as singing pets!

Activity

Read about Jesus' ascension in Acts 1:1-11. Today is also the first day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit - sign up here for daily prayers sent straight to your email box. Because it's a feast day, make sure you feast! Some sort of poultry is traditional (because birds fly and Jesus flew up to heaven) Even if you only have time for an ordinary dinner, have a special dessert. Tiramisu is a great choice, because its name means "lift me up" in Italian!
Here's a delicious recipe from Food Network, and here's an easier version from Betty Crocker. Both recipes use purchased lady fingers, espresso and a homemade filling. If the kids balk at the idea of this coffee-flavored dessert, then get a box of blue raspberry gelatin and some non-dairy whipped topping to make cloud parfaits. Simply make the gelatin as directed. When set, use a fork to scrape it up into shreds. Spoon the shreds into parfait glasses, pausing now and then to add a dollop of whipped topping to look like clouds.

All the saints in heaven, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Fisheaters

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