O God, you descended in the cloud to the Mount of Olives, as once you descended in the cloud upon Mount Sinai. On Sinai you gave the law of the covenant to Moses. On the Mount of Olives you took to yourself in glory the One who is the law of the new and eternal covenant. Let us who are the members of his body live in joyful expectation of his return, keeping faith with the covenant sealed in his blood, until that day when we can sing your praises face-to-face. Who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat Magazine, American Edition, Morning Prayer, Thursday, May 13, 2021

*The ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, and Philadelphia have retained the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord on the proper Thursday, while all other provinces of the United States have transferred this Solemnity to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 16.