Why We Catholics Pray Facing the East?

The Ascension of Our Lord, by Giotto, c. 1305, Arena Chapel.

 Communion Psalm 67. 33-34

PSÁLLITE Dómino, qui ascéndit super
cælos cælórum ad Oriéntem, allelúia.

Sing ye to the Lord, who mounteth above
the heaven of heavens to the East, alleluia.

 

Introit Acts. 1. 10

VIRI Galiǽi, quid admirámini aspiciéntes
in cælum? allelúia: quemádmodum
vidístis eum ascendéntem
in cælum, ita véniet, allelúia,
allelúia, allelúia.

Ye men of Galilee, why wonder you, looking
up to heaven? alleluia. He shall so
come as you have seen Him going up into
heaven, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Source - 14 June 2009. Poznan, Poland . Pontifical Mass by bishop Balcerek.

We face the East during Mass, expecting Our Lord as He shall so
come as He went up into heaven.