St. Pius X Catholic Church, Manoa

The Ascension of the Lord

The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus, celebrated forty days after Easter, commemorates the moment when the risen Christ, in the sight of his apostles, ascended bodily into heaven. It marks the completion of his earthly mission and the beginning of his exaltation at the right hand of the Father, where he intercedes for us as our eternal High Priest.

The Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord is on Thursday, May 14, 2026. However, in most dioceses in the United States, this feast day is transferred to Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Scripture tells us that, after appearing to his followers over forty days, Jesus raised his hands and blessed them. Then, “while he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy”.

The Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem, is traditionally believed to be the site of this event. A cloud hid Jesus from their sight, symbolizing the mystery of his divine presence. This moment marked Christ’s return to heaven as the Incarnate Word, the risen God-man with a glorified human body and soul where he now reigns at the right hand of God the Father.

The feast day of the Ascension marks the exaltation of Christ and the completion of his earthly ministry. Jesus ascends not to abandon us, but to intercede for us at the right hand of God, and to make way for the promised Holy Spirit—the advocate or “Counselor”, on Pentecost.

Father Michael Thomas Tupou Castori

The Vatican accepted the resignation of Bishop Larry Silva and named Jesuit priest Father Michael Thomas Tupou Castori to lead the Diocese of Honolulu. He will be the sixth bishop of Honolulu.

The diocese introduced Castori as bishop-elect Wednesday at the St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe. Castori was scheduled to be the main celebrant of a public Mass on Thursday, May 7, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.

The diocese said Castori has served in pastoral ministry and education in California and in the South Pacific, with experience in Tonga, Guam, Fiji and the Marshall Islands

Castori is a member of the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits. The diocese said he most recently served as rector of the Arrupe Jesuit Community at Seattle University.

The diocese said Castori has served in pastoral ministry and educaƟon in California and in the South Pacific, with experience in Tonga, Guam, Fiji and the Marshall Islands.

“I was warmly welcomed into the home of Malatino and Kalalaī Tupou in the village of Fasimoafoe (in Tonga), means faith with fire, and became fully a member of their family,” Castori said. “My legal middle name, Tupou, is a marker of that moment in my life.

“It certainly heightened my interest and desire to the language and the culture, but most of all just to experience the graces of life in the Pacific,” he said.

Castori said he iniƟally wanted to decline the appointment, but aŌer praying,he believed God was calling him to accept the role.

Castori said he iniƟally wanted to decline the appointment, but after praying, he believed God was calling him to accept the role.

“During those two days, I found relief for my soul in only two prayers: ‘Your will be done’ and the prayer of St. IgnaƟus Loyola,” he said.

He said he knows there is a lot of anger, hurt and unrest in the world and seeks to be a light during this present darkness.

“If you really stay with the promises that our Lord made to us, you will find hope and others who are working together to try to heal the wounds of sin and division, and try to lift up those who are least in society, mend the brokenhearted. This is our faith,” he said.

What happens next

The diocese said Castori must first be ordained a bishop and then installed to formally take leadership of the Diocese of Honolulu.

His episcopal ordination and installation are scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, at 10a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.

The diocese said Silva will serve as apostolic administrator beginning May 6

May 10

Saint Paschal Baylon

In Paschal Baylon’s lifetime the Spanish empire in the New World was at the height of its power,though France and England were soon to reduce its influence. The 16th century has been called the Golden Age of the Church in Spain, for it gave birth to Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, Francis Solano, and Salvator of Horta.

Paschal’s Spanish parents were poor and pious. Between the ages of seven and 24 he worked as a shepherd and began a life of mortification. He was able to pray on the job and was especially attentive to the church bell, which rang at the Elevation during Mass. Paschal had a very honest streak in him. He once offered to pay owners of crops for any damage his animals caused!

In 1564, Paschal joined the Friars Minor and gave himself wholeheartedly to a life of penance. Though he was urged to study for the priesthood, he chose to be a brother. At various times he served as porter, cook, gardener, and official beggar.

Paschal Baylon was careful to observe the vow of poverty. He would never waste any food or anything given for the use of the friars. When he was porter and took care of the poor coming to the door, he developed a reputation for great generosity. The friars sometimes tried to moderate his liberality!

Paschal Baylon spent his spare moments praying before the Blessed Sacrament. In time, many people sought his wise counsel. People flocked to his tomb immediately after his burial; miracles were reported promptly. Paschal was canonized in 1690 and was named patron of eucharistic congresses and societies in 1897

(from Franciscan Media)