Ascension Day

On Wednesday, May 19, on my way to the vigil Mass of the Ascension, I met some friends from Malta. They were surprised to learn that this important feast is celebrated in England on a Thursday.

Forty days before Easter the Church marks Ash Wednesday to remind us where we came from, and 40 days after Easter it celebrates the Ascension to remind us where we hope to go. The nine days between the Ascension and Pentecost form the only official novena that the Church keeps and during this period we should pray to receive the Holy Spirit.

The Church in Malta should get its act together and restore to their correct dates this and other important feasts, like the rest of the Catholic world. These days should be declared as holidays of obligation. People can still work and the economy will not suffer but committed Christians will be able to celebrate with Rome and the rest of the world.