Rev. Fr. Jude Thaddeus Osondu, the manager of Mater TV, has charged Catholics to aspire towards heaven. This was an injunction he gave during the mass of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Holy Family Chaplaincy, Aboh Urban.
Traditionally, Catholics all over the globe celebrate the Solemnity of Ascension forty (40) years after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While universally recognized on Thursdays as a Holy Day of Obligation, many episcopal conferences worldwide transfer the celebration to the following Sunday so that more of the faithful can attend.
Delivering the homily, Fr. Osondu posited that Christ, having spent much time with his disciples after his resurrection, has decided to go back to the Father in heaven in order to prepare a place for his people so that where he is, they equally may be. And to be where Christ is, the homilist prescribed that the faithful should have as their ultimate aim to be with the master, and the optimal way to achieve this singular goal is to eschew the bad ways of life and cultivate a life worthy of the Christian calling, leading to eternal life.
He further noted that even though Christ has gone from our physical sight, he is always present in his words and sacraments. And thus, he encouraged the faithful to always visit and spend time with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
Speaking further, Fr. Osondu said that as Christ was departing physically from the midst of his faithful, he promised to send to them the Holy Spirit, who is the paraclete (Advocate), the comforter and the sanctifier, who will open up their minds, charge them into living out what he taught them, and strengthen them. He concluded by encouraging them to always seek the divine assistance of the Holy Spirit in all their endeavors.
