Announcement Regarding the Solemnity of the Ascension

March 21, 2022

Announcement Regarding the Solemnity of the Ascension

Dear brothers in the priesthood,

The Latin-rite Diocesan Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Newark met in conference call this past Friday, March 18, 2022 to consider the proposal to permanently transfer the observance of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Jesus from Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter to the following Sunday. After a long discussion and period of reflection, the bishops have agreed to permanently transfer the observance of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Jesus to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, effective this Easter Season, 2022. This Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Jesus will be celebrated in all the Latin-rite dioceses of New Jersey on Sunday, May 29, 2022, replacing the liturgical celebration and readings of the Seventh Sunday of Easter. This will also include the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours. Thursday, May 26, 2022 will be Thursday of the Sixth week of Easter (as well as the Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest). In our own diocese, this will mean that the newly ordained priests will celebrate their First Masses of Thanksgiving on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, a special gift for the newly ordained and all of those who will rejoice with them.

The subject of the Solemnity of the Ascension and the best liturgical day for its celebration has long been a source of discussion. The Solemnity of the Ascension is one of the highpoints of a joyful fifty day period of Alleluias! As we celebrate the triumph of our Lord over sin and death, the new permanent day for its celebration in our Province of Newark gives us the opportunity to celebrate this day on a Sunday and to make a direct connection to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we celebrate on the following Sunday, the Solemnity of Pentecost. I understand those who might lament the loss of “another holy day” but we concentrate on the joy of the feast rather than its transfer to another day. As we rejoice at the Lord’s presence at the right hand of the Father, we pray that we may be joyful heralds of our risen Lord. Thank you for all that you do to serve those entrusted to your care with such faithfulness.

With prayerful remembrance of you at the Eucharist and seeking the Lord’s blessing on you and your communities during this Lent, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, D.D.

Bishop of Paterson