Sunday, May 17th, 2026
In Canada, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated on Sunday, marking the completion of Jesus’ earthly mission and his return to the Father to prepare a place for humanity. This feast celebrates Christ taking human nature into heaven and authorizes the church to spread the Gospel. The Ascension of the Lord is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday (40 days after Easter), the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has decreed that this solemnity is transferred the observance to the following Sunday to allow for greater participation among the faithful.
(The specific decree regarding Holy Days of Obligation in Canada (Decree No. 34) was approved by the CCCB in 1990 and received the necessary approval (recognitio) from the Holy See on May 15, 1991, coming into force shortly thereafter.)
Context of Gospel Reading (Year A):
From the conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commissions his disciples to baptize in the name of the Trinity, one of the clearest attestations found in Scripture for baptism in the name of the Trinity. The ending of Matthew’s Gospel can be understood as the beginning of the Church. Jesus commissions his disciples to continue to teach in his name and to bring others into the community of disciples through baptism. The Gospel ends, as it had begun, with the promise that Jesus will continue to be Emmanuel, “God with us”(cf. Matthew 1:23), for all eternity.
Preparation for the Holy Spirit:
This feast highlights the waiting period between Christ’s departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
