On Wednesday, May 28, on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, celebrations were held for the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus. From the early afternoon, the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land gathered in prayer at the site that commemorates this event.

This year, the celebration bore an even deeper meaning, as emphasized by the Custodial Vicar, Fr. Ibrahim Faltas: “We are witnessing a sign of communion: all the Churches of Jerusalem are gathered and united in the celebration of the Ascension. A strong, prophetic sign that reminds us that unity is possible, and it is a living testimony of the Gospel in the heart of the Holy Land.”

The Chapel of the Ascension

The original sanctuary, likely dating back to the 4th century, was destroyed but later rebuilt by the Crusaders as a small octagonal structure (the edicule we can still see today), with an open roof. In 1198, when Saladin’s emissaries purchased the site, the Muslims completed it with the addition of a dome. Since then, the site has been under the ownership of the Islamic Waqf of Jerusalem and is used as a mosque, although it is no longer an active place of worship.

From the Vicar’s Entrance to the Dawn Mass

The celebrations began in the early afternoon with the solemn entrance of the Custodial Vicar into the Chapel of the Ascension. This was followed by the chanting of Vespers, presided over by Fr. Ibrahim. The friars then sang the Litany of the Saints in procession, circling the Crusader edicule three times.

The vigil continued throughout the night with the Office of Readings, followed by the celebration of several Masses inside the chapel. At 5:00am, the solemn Eucharistic celebration was once again presided over by Fr. Ibrahim, this time outdoors, in the presence of a large group of faithful.

“Here on the Mount of Olives, the place of Jesus’ ascent into heaven, our gaze lifts upward, but our hearts remain anchored to the earth—a beloved, wounded, and awaited land,” began the Vicar in his homily.

The deep meaning of the feast

The solemnity of the Ascension carries a profound meaning that speaks deeply to all Christians.

“The Ascension is not just an event,” Fr. Ibrahim continued, “It is a mystery that challenges us. It is the seal of Christ’s mission and, at the same time, the starting point of the Church’s mission. ‘Where I am, there will my servant be also,’ He said. The Ascension is a promise: our humanity is called to heaven, our flesh is welcomed into the Trinity, our wounds are wrapped in eternal light.”