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While Holy Week related the last days of Jesus among men, his fight, his last meal, the Stations of the Cross before being resurrected on Easter Sunday, the ascension marks, 40 days later, the elevation of Christ towards the sky. What is the meaning of the ascension, and what about the feast of Pentecost? Let's go back to what makes these 2 feasts, two pivotal and essential moments in the Catholic religion.
The ascension, when Jesus joins God in heaven
Ascension Thursday, 40 days after Jesus' resurrection, marks the end of Jesus' presence on earth and therefore, consequently, the end of Jesus' appearances to his disciples.
The ascension comes from the Latin ""ascensio"" which means ""to ascend"", a significant and symbolic celebration that relates the moment when Jesus ascended to heaven.
From that day on, Christ indeed returned to the side of God, his father, in heaven. Namely that the sky, here, represents more a place of happiness, peace and fullness than the sky as we know it on earth.
The elevation of Jesus to heaven thus became the symbol of Christ's new immortality.
This date also marks a certain renewal. The beginning of an era without the physical presence of Jesus, the beginning of faith as we know it today.
We must now be able to believe in what was said and lived by the disciples who are proof and witnesses of the presence of Jesus on earth.
But the departure of Christ to heaven does not mean the end of his actions for men, he leaves his disciples in good hands since he promises them the arrival of a force, the coming of the Holy Spirit. A last hand stretched out towards men before his elevation.
The coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples is thus called Pentecost.
You will have understood: Easter, the ascension but also Pentecost are three closely linked festivals. They are associated with Jesus' last journey to immortality and the birth of the Catholic religion.
Pentecost
Pentecost thus symbolizes the day when the apostles received the Holy Spirit announced by Jesus.
It was from this moment that the apostles of Christ began to bear witness to the acts and teachings of Jesus to the rest of the world and it is in this way that Christian communities were formed.
Pentecost is today the occasion to celebrate the Holy Spirit and the appearance of the Church.
Ascension Day and Pentecost are not far away! So to celebrate these two capital days in the Catholic religion, don't hesitate to discover our large catalog of quality religious objects on our online store!
You will find natural incense, novena candles, rosaries, crucifixes, religious books but also a wide range of liturgical vestments, priest's chasubles, stoles, chalices, and much more!
Do not hesitate any longer and come and have a look in our store located in Banneux, site of pilgrimage for many faithful!