Course 4, Chapter 42: Christianity visible. — The Ascension

1. What is the feast of the Ascension f

It is the day on which our Lord ascended into heaven.

2. How did our Lord ascend into heaven?

The fortieth day after his resurrection, having set out from Bethany with his disciples and his blessed mother, he ascended the mountain of Olives, gave to his disciples the command and the power to preach the gospel to all creatures, and blessed them for the last time, promising them the Holy Ghost: he then in their 34

398 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

presence raised himself up into heaven by his own power and carried with him the souls of the just who had died before his coming.

3. What did the apostles do?

After having followed with their eyes their Blaster ascending into heaven, they retired to Jerusalem to await in silence and prayer the descent of the Holy Ghost.

4. What miracle did the Saviour work when he ascended into heaven?

In ascending into heaven he left on the rock the print of his feet, which is to be seen to this day.

5. Why did the Saviour ascend into heaven?

The Saviour ascended into heaven: 1st, to take possession of the glory which his sacred humanity had merited by his passion; 2d, to send the Holy Ghost upon the apostles and through them upon the whole world; 3d, to open heaven for us; 4th, to prepare our places there and keep them for us.

6. AVhat must we do to celebrate the ascension worthily?

We must detach our hearts from creatures and ardently desire to occupy the place prepared for us by Jesus Christ in heaven.