It appears that the very first possible day that we may resume the Celebration of Mass at San Antonio Church will be May 31st. The State of Ohio advised that there should be no gatherings in churches up until May 29th. and the Catholic Bishops of Ohio agreed We are not sure if we will actually start that day . Please check back on the website for updates.
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Weekly Bulletin
by Terrie Evans
On this Sunday we honor the Ascension of Jesus which occurs 40 days after he rose from the dead on Easter. This day commemorates the Risen Christ ascending into heaven in the presence of His Apostles. This feast tells us that when Jesus Christ entered the sanctuary of heaven, He will intercede as a mediator for us and assures us the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Ascension is the concluding work of redemption and the pledge of our own eventual ascension into heaven. In the Catholic Tradition, it began as a three day “rogation” to ask for God’s Mercy with a procession of torches and banners symbolizing Christ’s journey to the Mount of Olives and His entry into Heaven. Rogation days of penance and prayers were similar to Ember days and in 1969 were replaced by periods of prayer extending from one to several days.
Early Christians would honor the Ascension of Christ in a cave on the Mount around 312 AD. The village of Bethany is the location of the traditional site of Mount Olivet where those Christians honored the Ascension. Around 384, the Ascension was venerated on a new site, uphill from the cave. Luke Chapter 24 tells how Jesus leads the eleven disciples to Bethany where he instructs them to remain in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit. In the year 390, a wealthy Roman woman, Poimenia constructed the original church, “Eleona Basilica” Greek for Olive Garden which was destroyed in 614 and rebuilt and eventually demolished. There is only a 12X12 meter octagonal Edicule or memorial that remains. Inside of the structure is the Rock of the Ascension as the last remnants of the original basilica. Also, on the top of the Mount of Olives is a Convent of the Ascension that is maintained by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Many will pray a Novena to the Holy Ghost between Ascension and Pentecost asking for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Christian Theology, the death, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus are the most important events and a foundation of the Christian Faith. The Ascension has been a frequent subject of Christian art since the 6th century. Around the 9th Century, scenes of the Ascension were being depicted on domes and churches with many scenes having two parts, an upper (Heavenly) part and a lower (Earthly) part. The ascending Christ may be carrying a resurrection banner or make a sign of benediction with his right hand. The blessing gesture By Christ with his right hand is directed towards the earthly group below him and signifies that HE is blessing the entire church. In His left hand, he may be holding a scroll, signifying teaching and preaching.