Vigil of the Ascension
Introit
Isaias 48:20; Psalm 65:1,2
Declare it with the voice of joy, and make it known, alleluia: declare it even to the ends of the earth: The Lord hath delivered His people, alleluia, alleluia.-Ps. Shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His Name: give glory to His praise. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
O God, from Whom all good things do come, grant unto us, Thy suppliant people, that by Thine inspiration, we may think what is right, and under Thy guidance perform the same. Through our Lord.
Epistle
Ephesians 4:7-13
To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s bestowal. Thus it says: Ascending on high, He led away captives; He gave gifts to men. Now this: He ascended, what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He Who descended, He it is Who ascended also above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. And He Himself gave some men as apostles, and some as prophets, others again as evangelists, and others as pastors and teachers, in order to perfect the saints for a work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the deep knowledge of the Son of God, to perfect manhood, to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ.
Alleluia
John 16:28
Alleluia, alleluia. Christ is risen, and has shone upon us, whom He redeemed with His Blood.
Alleluia. I came forth from the Father, and have come into the world. Again I leave the world, and go to the Father. Alleluia.
Gospel
John 17:1-11
At that time, raising His eyes to heaven, Jesus said, Father, the hour has come! Glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son may glorify Thee, even as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, in order that to all Thou hast given Him He may give everlasting life. Now this is everlasting life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Him Whom Thou have sent, Jesus Christ. I have glorified Thee on earth; I have accomplished the work that Thou hast given Me to do. And now Thee, Father, glorify Me with Thyself, with the glory that I had with Thee before the world existed. I have manifested Thy name to the men whom Thou hast given Me out of the world. They were Thine, and Thou hast given them to Me, and they have kept Thy word. Now they have learnt that whatever Thou hast given Me is from Thee; because the words that Thou hast given Me I have given to them. And they have received them, and have known of a truth that I came forth from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I pray for them; not for the world do I pray, but for those whom Thou hast given Me, because they are Thine; and all things that are Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to Thee.
Offertory
Ps 65:8-9; 65:20
Bless the Lord our God, you peoples, loudly sound His praise; He has given life to my soul, and has not let my feet slip. Blessed be the Lord, Who refused me not my prayer, or His kindness. Alleluia.
Secret
Accept, O Lord, the prayers and gifts of Thy faithful people, that, through these rites of love and devotion we may pass to the glory of heaven. Through our Lord.
Communion
Psalm 25:9,2
Sing to the Lord, alleluia; sing to the Lord; bless His name; announce His salvation day after day, alleluia, alleluia.
Postcommunion
Grant, O Lord, that we who have been fed with the strengthening food of Your heavenly table, may desire what is right and obtain what we desire. Through our Lord.