Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Mass Times

Thursday, May 14, 2026

On the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, we celebrate Christ's bodily ascension into heaven, which occurred in the presence of his apostles. We hear in St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians that Christ took his seat at the right hand of his Father, "far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion."

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord occurs 40 days after Christ's resurrection. It is the important, final piece of the Paschal Mystery, which began with Christ's Passion and death. Because Christ ascended, we, as members of the body of Christ, also look forward to ascending into heaven after our bodily resurrection.

On the solemnity, we are also reminded of our evangelizing mission. Before Christ ascends, he gives his disciples final instructions, telling them to await the arrival of the Holy Spirit and then "go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). We will celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026.

During the days between the Solemnity of the Ascension and the Solemnity of Pentecost, we are called to intense prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit. This time of prayer comprises a novena, during which we pray that we may receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

While some ecclesiastical provinces have transferred the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord to the Seventh Sunday of Easter,that is not the case in the province of Boston, of which the Diocese of Portland is a part. Here, the celebration remains on the proper Thursday. In addition to participating in Mass on the holy day, another wonderful way to celebrate is through lectio divina, a contemplative prayer of the Scriptures.

Masses will be Wednesday, May 14, and Thursday, May 15. A listing of Masses by city/town can be found below. A listing by parish can be found here.

Bath

All Saints Parish:

St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln Street - Thursday, May 14, at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Boothbay Harbor

All Saints Parish:

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 82 Atlantic Avenue, Boothbay Harbor -  Thursday, May 14, at noon

Bridgton

St. Joseph Parish:

St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street - Thursday, May 14, at 8:30 a.m.

Brunswick

All Saints Parish:

St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 McKeen Street - Thursday, May 14, at noon and 6:30 p.m.

St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street - Thursday, May 14, at 8 a.m.

Fryeburg

St. Joseph Parish:

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 857 Main Street - Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m.

Mechanic Falls

St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish:

Our Lady of Ransom Church, 117 Elm Street - Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m.

Newcastle

All Saints Parish:

St. Patrick Church, 380 Academy Hill Road - Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m.

Norway

St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish:

St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street - Thursday, May 14, at 8 a.m.

Peaks Island

St. Christopher Parish:

St. Christopher Church, 15 Central Avenue - Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m.

Portland

Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes:

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street - Thursday, May 14, at 12:15 p.m. (Bishop Ruggieri presiding), 6 p.m. and  7:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church, 65 Mellen Street - Thursday, May 14, at 4 p.m.

St. Christopher Church, 15 Central Avenue, Peaks Island - Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m.

St. Peter Church, 72 Federal Street - Thursday, May 14, at 7 a.m.

Richmond

All Saints Parish:

St. Ambrose Church, 29 Kimball Street - Thursday, May 14, at 10 a.m.