May 24, 2020
The Ascension of the Lord
Our Art Gallery
“Ascension of the Lord”
A Drawing and Collage Using Markers and White Gel Pen
For Parents to Teach to Their Children
Learning Through Art and Conversation
The painting above is about the Ascension of the Lord into heaven. There is symbolism in this painting, as there was in most paintings of the time period. It was painted by an Italian painter, Bernardino Gandino, who lived during the Renaissance “… a unified historical period (which) ended with the fall of Rome in 1527.” Source: Britannica.com
Have a family conversation about this, or another famous Italian “Ascension” painting from the same period, and look at the details of the painting. Here are some questions and ideas about the symbols that can guide you and your children:
- Who is the central person in this painting? (Jesus Christ)
- Why is His right arm raised? (He is “extending His blessing” over all below.)
- Who are attending to him? (Cherubim and Seraphim)
- What indicates that Jesus is Holy and Divine? (The rays of light around His head)
- What is Jesus standing on? (A cloud)
- What did Jesus leave behind on the earth below Him? (His footprints, perhaps showing He was Human)
- Who is central figure in the bottom of the painting, standing below and looking up to Jesus? (Mary, The mother of Jesus Christ)
- How do we know this is Mary? (She is wearing a blue stole–a traditional color for Mary; she is a central figure in the lower portion of the painting.)
- What do you think her hands show? (She is praying.)
- What do the hands of some of the Apostles show? (They are receiving Christ’s blessing; or are asking for His blessing.)
- What do the expressions of Mary and the Apostles show? (Awe, reverence, amazement, love, etc.)
This family conversation and art experience was inspired by MagnifiKid! May 20 or June 2, 2019, Vol 16. Part 7. Section 2. Pages 14-15 “The Ascension of the Lord”
Our Reading for Childen
“Let’s all be his messengers!” By Lisa Reno, MagnifiKid! May 21 or 24, 2020, Vol 17. Part 6. Section 5. Page 3
“On Easter morning, the Good News of the Resurrection of Jesus was spread among the Apostles. Jesus appeared several times during the forty days after his Resurrection. He taught them, shared their meals, and proved to them that he is alive…for ever! On the day of the Ascension, he leaves to return to his Father. Before leaving, he puts the Apostles in charge of a great mission–to go and proclaim the Good News to everyone, to baptize them, and encourage them in faith by performing the sign that he himself performed. What a mission! Fortunately, the Lord works and acts with them. Have you ever thought how it is that you have come to know Jesus? It is because the Apostles and their successors have continued the mission throughout the centuries up to this very day. Today, Jesus works with us when we announce the Good News: he is with you, even if you can’t se him.”
“I am with you always”
“As Jesus ascended to his Father, he told his Apostles, “I am with you always.” He truly leaves, in that he no longer walks the earth as we do, but he is with us too. Jesus is among us when we gather to celebrate the Mass and other sacraments. In a special way, he is present in the Holy Eucharist, his Body and Blood. He is also present in his word, in his Priests, and in each of us by grace. He is also present wherever there is love, forgiveness, and true peace.”
“The Litany of the Saints”
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Pray for us.
_______________, pray for _______________
_______________, pray for _______________
Heavenly Father, thank you for the witness of
these saints. Your Son, Jesus, entrusted them with
a mission–a mission that we share! Through their
prayers, help us to live the Good News more fully.
Amen.”
Source: MagnifiKid!, May 21 or 24, 2020, “The Ascension of the Lord” Vol. 17. Part 6. Section 5. Pages 8-9, 13
Learning About Jesus Through Prayer
Pray the Rosary, Announcing The Second Glorious Mystery,
“The Ascension”
Source: RosaryCenter.org
- “Make the Sign of the Cross saying ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’, and say the Apostles’ Creed: ‘I believe in God, the Father almighty creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.’”
- “Say the Our Father: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.’”
- “Say three Hail Marys for Faith, Hope, and Charity: ‘Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.’ – 3 times.”
- Say the Glory Be: ‘Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.’”
“Announce ‘The Second Glorious Mystery – The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven’ and then say the Our Father.”
“Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery.”
- “Jesus remains on earth forty days after His Resurrection to prove He has truly risen from the dead.
- He commissions the apostles to preach the gospel to every creature, and promises to be with them forever.
- He will not leave them orphans, but will send the Holy Spirit to enlighten and strengthen them.
- Jesus proceeds to Mt. Olivet accompanied by His Mother and the apostles and disciples.
- Extending His pierced hands over all in a last blessing, He ascends into heaven.
- As He ascends a cloud takes Him from their sight.
- Jesus ascends to take His place at the right hand of the Father.
- What jubilation there must be amid the angels of heaven at the triumphant entry of Jesus.
- The wounds in His glorified body are an endless plea before the Father on our behalf.
- The disciples leave Mt. Olivet and ‘return to Jerusalem with great joy.’”
“Spiritual Fruit: Christian Hope”
Glory Be
“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
Oh My Jesus
“O my Jesus, forgive us of our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.”
A Helpful Thought About Praying the Rosary:
Source: FranciscanMedia.org, Posted By Edward Sri on May 18, 2019
“Think of the rosary as being like the ocean: There’s something in it for everyone, whether you consider yourself a veteran mystic longing to go deeper in prayer with our Lord, a novice struggling to learn how to pray, or someone seeking the Lord’s help, right now, with something going on in your life. The deep-sea explorer and the child making sand castles on the beach can fully enjoy the same ocean while playing at different levels. And this is true with the rosary.”
Celebrating With Music
“Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” A Classic Ascension Hymn
Source: Hymnary.org
By Author: W. Chatterton Dix (1866)
“1 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
His the scepter, His the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood;
“Jesus out of ev’ry nation
has redeemed us by His blood.
2 Alleluia! Not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now.
Alleluia! He is near us;
faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received Him
when the forty days were o’er,
shall our hearts forget His promise,
“I am with you evermore”?
3 Alleluia! Bread of heaven,
here on earth our food, our stay.
Alleluia! Here the sinful
flee to You from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
earth’s Redeemer, hear our plea
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.”
Source: Hymns to the Living God #180
Video By The Notre Dame University Choir
Celebrating Through Art–An “Ascension” Drawing
Method and Materials
This drawing uses markers (or crayons) and mixed media paper. The Prismacolor Markers are for people generally over 14 years of age. They are more expensive than children’s markers, but they have beautiful color saturation and colors. If your child wants to draw a circle, they can use whatever is handy at home– a small bowl, cup. saucer, or tape roll– (as I have used) to trace the two circles. The Ascension Day drawing needs to include clouds, land, and a cross, or Christ figure, rising into heaven. In addition to the markers, I drew squiggles on the drawing using a white gel pen. A white oil pastel crayon, white colored pencil, or a white crayon will all work, as well. Encourage your child to cover as much of the paper as they can for a richly-colored effect. It helps to use a small piece of paper, such as the paper in this Canson notebook, below. If you don’t have a small piece of paper, simply cut a sheet of watercolor paper in half. All of my materials were purchased on Amazon.com.
Suggested Homework Activities–Week Thirty Two
This week, please read “John, chapter 6:60-69” with your children. Help them with new words or concepts, such as: “murmuring”, “ascending”, “no avail”, “betray”, “granted”, “former way of life”, “eternal”. You can read from a Catholic Children’s Bible, your family Bible, or the excerpt below from the USCCB.org.
Source: USCCB.org
“Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,
‘This saying is hard; who can accept it?’
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, ‘Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe.’
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe
and the one who would betray him.
And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father.’
As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer walked with him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, ‘Do you also want to leave?’
Simon Peter answered him, ‘Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.’”
Teach your children the meanings of these three words: ASCEND, DESCEND, TRANSCEND.
Talk about how each word is related to Jesus and the Holy Spirit.