Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Ascensiontide

Week

Week 1 of Ascensiontide

Rank

Sunday

Ascensiontide celebrates Jesus’ return to the Father after his Resurrection, focusing on his presence with the Church and the promise of the Holy Spirit. The rank “Semidouble” is an older liturgical designation that indicates this day is observed with greater solemnity than an ordinary Sunday: important prayers, readings, and rites are given prominence, but it does not supersede higher-ranking solemnities. Because this Sunday is part of the Ascension octave, its liturgy echoes themes of Christ’s glory, mission, and the sending of the Spirit.

Daily Prayer

The Introit for this day has not yet been generated.

Weekly Prayer

Weekly prayer content will appear here once it is scheduled.

Weekly Formation

Commandment 6

The Ten Commandments

Be faithful in marriage and respect God’s gift of the body.
The Sixth Commandment guards fidelity in marriage and the holiness of God’s gift of the body. It requires purity appropriate to each state of life, respect for personal boundaries, and faithful conduct in thought, word, and action.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebrationCalendar title

Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension

A biography or feast reflection has not yet been prepared.

Commemoration

Augustine of Canterbury

St. Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop and Confessor

6th-century missionary, archbishop, and saint

Born: 0550-00-00
Died: 0605-00-00

Augustine of Canterbury was a Christian monk who became the first archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597. He is considered the "Apostle to the English".

Learn more about Augustine of Canterbury

Today in Church History

No Church history reflection has been prepared for this date yet.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Baptism incorporates believers into the Body of Christ and the Church, making them members of the one People of God. The baptized become “living stones” in a spiritual house, sharing in Christ’s priesthood and his prophetic and royal mission, and are called to proclaim the wonderful deeds of God. Baptism brings both gifts and responsibilities: the baptized may receive the sacraments, be nourished by God’s Word, and receive the Church’s spiritual helps; they are also called to serve others in the Church’s communion, profess their faith, and take part in the apostolic and missionary activity of God’s people. Baptism also unites all who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized in a real, though sometimes imperfect, communion. Sealed with an indelible mark of belonging to Christ, Christians are committed to worship, holy lives, and practical charity.

Christian initiation is beautifully woven through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, each playing a vital role in the life of a believer. Baptism marks our birth into new life in Christ and, according to the Lord’s will, is necessary for salvation. Its grace forgives original and personal sin, makes us adoptive children of the Father, incorporates us into the Church, and makes us sharers in Christ’s priesthood. In an emergency, any person can baptize if they intend to do what the Church does and use water with the words of baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For families, this encourages us to nurture faith from an early age, since children may be baptized in the faith of the Church. We are also invited to trust in God’s mercy and pray for the salvation of children who have died without Baptism.

¶ 1274

The Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord ("Dominicus character") "for the day of redemption." "Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life." The faithful Christian who has "kept the seal" until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith," with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God - the consummation of faith - and in the hope of resurrection.

Today's Mass Readings

Open the day's Sancta MissaDivinum Officium · Divino Afflatu - 1954View readings

Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension

Understanding the Day

Daily Prayer

Weekly Prayer

Weekly Formation

Commandment 6

The Ten Commandments

Saint & Feast

Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension

Augustine of Canterbury

Today in Church History

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Today's Mass Readings

Day 4 within the Octave of the Ascension

Baltimore Catechism No. 3