Ascension Catholic Church

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER June 6, 2026

Beloved:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine
but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity,
will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth
and will be diverted to myths.
But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances;
put up with hardship;
perform the work of an evangelist;
fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well;
I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance. 2 TIMOTHY 4: 1-8

In this emotional scripture, which is the first reading for today’s Mass, St. Paul delivers his poignant farewell to his spiritual son, Timothy. He solemnly charges Timothy to preach the Gospel boldly, despite a world that turns away from truth. Paul then reflects on his own life of ministry, expressing serene confidence in the eternal reward of his faith

This passage is a meditation on the universal call to holiness. It challenges every Catholic to evaluate how we handle the "deposit of faith," to stand firm in times of confusion, and to live daily with eternity in mind. Lord, may I always act and speak Your truth. AMEN

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER June 5, 2026
Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
c. 675–754
Patron Saint of Great Germania

You have followed my teaching, way of life,
purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions,
and sufferings, such as happened to me
in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra,
persecutions that I endured.
Yet from all these things the Lord delivered me.
In fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus
will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3: 10-11

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Boniface, a great bishop and martyr who had dedicated his life and all of his works for the greater glory of God. He was an English Benedictine monk who was especially remembered for his efforts in evangelizing amongst the Germanic people in the northern parts of what is Germany today, proclaiming the Good News and salvation of God to many of the people there who still believed in pagan and false gods and beliefs. He was born in England to a rather prominent family and then against the wishes of his father, learned theology and eventually became a monk and priest. St. Boniface was then appointed as a missionary to the region in northern part of Germany and what is today Netherlands known as Frisia. In his mission to Frisia, the Pope appointed him as a missionary bishop to establish the Church in that region and to convert the people there to the true faith.

In a story still well-remembered to this day, St. Boniface once persuaded many among the pagans as he chopped a great oak tree held sacred by the German pagans, who revered the tree and the spirits. Miraculously a great wind blew upon the oak tree and the whole tree fell down to the ground. Having witnessed the miracle and the fact how St. Boniface was not struck down by their gods and deities for such a supposedly sacrilegious act, many among the pagans believed in God and gave themselves to be baptized by St. Boniface and other missionaries. He went on to establish many churches and institutions in his mission areas. He continued to labor for the good of the Lord and His Church until eventually he was martyred when he and his entourage was beset by a group of Frisian bandits during his last missionary trip to the region.

When faced with martyrdom, Boniface reportedly forbade his companions from fighting back, saying, "Give up warfare... the witness of Scripture recommends that we do not give an eye for an eye". He died holding the Book of the Gospels, symbolizing that the Word of God was his true shield. St. Boniface, pray for us. Amen

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER June 4, 2026

R. (4) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord. PSALM 25

Today’s responsorial Psalm is one of gratitude and praise for God’s guidance. Your will Lord God, not my own.

Teach me your ways, O Lord. Amen

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER June 3, 2026
Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
1860–1886
Patron Saints of African youth, converts, and torture victims
Canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964
Liturgical Color: Red

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel
with the strength that comes from God. 2 TIMOTHY 1: 7-8

Every year on June 3, millions of pilgrims from various African nations gather at the Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine in Uganda. The celebration is held at the site of the martyrdom of Saint Charles Lwanga and his twenty-one young companions on the day that most of the boys were killed. These young men were kept as pages, or house servants, to corrupt King Mwaga, who used them for immoral purposes.

Saint Charles Lwanga was their Catechist and baptized many of the young men. When the king ordered the members of his household to renounce the Christian faith or face torture and death, Charles courageously professed his faith, as did many of the boys. The outraged king ordered their deaths to take place at Namugongo, the traditional public ex*****on site. For the two-day journey on foot, the ex*****oners bound the boys together with ropes and beat many of them as they walked. They were burned to death, while praying the Lord’s Prayer aloud. At the time of their martyrdoms, twenty-six-year-old Charles Lwanga and his young companions never could have imagined that one day, at the place of their ex*****on, millions of people would gather every year to honor them and to seek their intercession.

Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, the flame of faith burned in your hearts. The witness of your martyrdoms became the spark that ignited faith in Christ in Uganda and across Africa. Please pray that I will have your faith so that God can take each suffering and cross I endure and transform it into good. Saint Charles and Companions, pray for Jesus us, AMEN.

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER June 2, 2026
JUNE IS THE MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to his call. Ephesians 1: 17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

In Catholic tradition, June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion centers on the physical heart of Christ as a symbol of His boundless, passionate love, compassion, and mercy for humanity.

The devotion dates back to the 17th-century private revelations of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in France. In these visions, Jesus revealed His heart as a burning furnace of love, often depicted surrounded by a crown of thorns and topped with a cross. Through these apparitions, Jesus offered His "Twelve Promises," assuring abundant graces and spiritual comfort to those who honor His heart.

The Sacred Heart is an enduring reminder that Christ never stops pursuing us. Like the Good Shepherd, He seeks out the lost, offering forgiveness even when the world is marked by indifference.

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins, I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. AMEN

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER June 1, 2026
Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
c. 100–c. 165
Patron Saint of philosophers, lecturers, and apologists
Pre-Congregation canonization
Liturgical Color: Red

For this very reason,
make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control,
self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,
devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love. 2 PETER 1: 6-7

Quote:
And this food is called among us the Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Savior, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. ~First Apology, Saint Justin Martyr

St. Justin was martyred, beheaded by the Romans, for being the first great apologist or defender of the faith. His first apology was addressed to the Emperor and provided a beautiful description of Christ and why Christians worship Him as God, as well as one of the earliest descriptions of Christian worship. This description is of great importance to the theology of the Mass, as it highlights the unbroken tradition and correlation of liturgical celebration from the early Church to today.

Justin addressed his “Second Apology” to the Roman Senate and continued to defend Christians against false accusations, such as claims of cannibalism and sexual immorality. He attributes those lies to demons. After giving a strong defense, he goes on to proclaim Christianity as the true faith, the practice of worship of the true God, and the way to Heaven.

Saint Justin Martyr heroically defended the Christian faith, using his natural intellectual gifts in conjunction with revealed theological truths. He was bold, articulate, determined, and evangelistic. He did not fear death; he only feared the continuance of ignorance. His burning desire was that everyone would come to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ, his Lord, and God. St. Justin Martyr, pray for us.

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER May 31, 2026
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
First Sunday after Pentecost

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
to God who is, who was, and who is to come. Revelation 1: 8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Quote:
“Father,” “Son,” “Holy Spirit” are not simply names designating modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one another: “He is not the Father who is the Son, nor is the Son he who is the Father, nor is the Holy Spirit he who is the Father or the Son” (Council of Toledo XI (675)). They are distinct from one another in their relations of origin: “It is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds” (Lateran Council IV (1215)). The divine Unity is Triune.~Catechism of the Catholic Church #254

In Sacred Scripture and Church teaching, God’s attributes and existence can be summed up as Love. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Love cannot exist without a giver, a receiver, and the love that unites them. Hence, it is the very nature of God to love perfectly, to receive love perfectly, and to be love itself. In the Holy Trinity, the Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, and this mutual love is personified in the Holy Spirit.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made…I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. AMEN

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER May 30, 2026
MEMORIAL OF ST. JOAN OF ARC
PATRON OF SOLDIERS AND FRANCE

Beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand
by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in the love of God
and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
that leads to eternal life.
On those who waver, have mercy;
save others by snatching them out of the fire;
on others have mercy with fear,
abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh. JUDE 17, 21-23

In a world full of noise and uncertainty, St. Joan of Arc reminds us what it means to listen to God's voice with courage and act with unwavering faith, even when the world doesn’t understand us.
Though she was young and untrained, she led armies and inspired a nation, all because she trusted in the divine call placed in her heart.

What is God asking of you today?
Maybe it's not leading troops into battle , but it might be standing up for truth, forgiving someone, or staying faithful when it’s hard.

“I am not afraid… I was born to do this.” – St. Joan of Arc

St. Joan of Arc, pray that we may be brave, faithful, and open to God’s will in our lives. Pray for us. AMEN (EWTN)

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER May 29, 2026
Memorial of Saint Paul VI, Pope
1897–1978
Patron Saint of Vatican Council II
Canonized by Pope Francis on October 14, 2018

And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” MATTHEW 16: 18-19

On October 11, 1962, Pope John XXIII formally opened the Second Vatican Council. In less than a year, however, the pope would die of stomach cancer. The pope’s vision for the council was to bring the ancient faith of the Church into closer connection to the modern world. He foresaw a new Pentecost, or a new springtime for the Church. The Holy Father also wanted to reach beyond the Catholic Church to seek greater union with people of all faiths and those with no faith at all. Though the central mission of the Church was to preach the saving message of Jesus Christ, he also saw the Church as a necessary institution sent by God to assist all peoples with the emerging issues of the day, such as modernization, communism, economic progress, war, and poverty. The Church needed to be an active force within every human and societal structure.

After the death of Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI was elected on June 21, 1963. As pope, he re-opened and presided over the remaining sessions of the Second Vatican Council and oversaw the implementation of its schema. He also implemented new liturgical rites for the sacraments and a new liturgical calendar. Pope Paul VI was the first traveling pope, making apostolic journeys to seventeen different countries. During his journeys, he challenged churches and nations to address world peace, social justice, poverty, illiteracy, ecumenism, and world unity. Pope Saint Paul VI was one of the first popes to face the many challenges and blessings that have come from modernization. He sought to keep the ancient faith of the Church ever ancient while also making it ever new and relevant to a world in need. He sought unity among Christians, peace among nations, and respect for the dignity of all. Pope Saint Paul VI, pray for us