The Feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI to celebrate the Jubilee Year and 16th centenary of the Council of Nicea. In his encyclical letter issued on this noble occasion on Decemebr 11, 1925, the Pope brings to our attention traditional and biblical sources confirming the sovereignty of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He also explains the need for special liturgical celebration of the universal Church each year on the last Sunday of the liturgical year before the first Sunday of Advent.
“If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all men, purchased by his precious blood, are by a new right subjected to his dominion; if this power embraces all men, it must be clear that not one of our faculties is exempt from his empire. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, as instruments of justice unto God.[35] If all these truths are presented to the faithful for their consideration, they will prove a powerful incentive to perfection.” Pope Pius XI – Quas Primas
Let us adore Our Lord with Carmelite Saints:
Long live Christ the King!
(Blessed Teresa of the Child Jesus of Guadalajara Carmel, martyred in 1936)
"You, my God, are an eternal King, and Yours is no borrowed kingdom...When
the Credo says: 'of Your Kingdom there shall be no end' this phrase
nearly always makes me feel particularly happy. Yes, I praise You, Lord, and bless You, for Your Kingdom will endure forever" (St Teresa of Jesus, Way of Perfection, ch 22)
"I Shall Stay with You...."
Your throne is at the Lord's right hand,
Within the realm of His eternal glory,
God's word from when the world began.
You reign upon the highest throne of all,
Even in transfigured form,
Since You fulfilled Your task on earth.
So I believe, because Your word has taught me,
And, thus believing, know that this delights me,
And blessed hope blooms out of it.
For where you are, there also Your dear ones.
And Heaven is my glorious fatherland,
With You I share the Father's throne.
The Eternal One, creator of all being,
Who, holy thrice, encompasses
Retains a quiet realm all to Himself,
The inmost chamber of the human soul
Is favourite dwelling to the Trinity,
His heavenly throne right here on earth.
To free this heaven'ly realm from the hostile hand,
God's Son descended as the Son of Man
He gave His blood as ransom.
Within the heart of Jesus pierced with lances,
The realms of Heaven and earth become united.
And here we find the spring of life itself.
This is the heart of Trinity divine,
The center also of all human hearts.
Source of our life from God.
It draws us close with its mysterious might,
It keeps us safe within the Father's lap
And floods us with the Holy Spirit.
This heart beats in a tiny tabernacle
Where it remains in hidden mystery,
Within that orbit, silent, white.
That is Your royal throne, O Lord, on earth,
Which You have built for us, plainly to see,
It pleases You when we draw near....
Each morn You come to me at early Mass,
Your flesh and blood become my food and drink;
And wonders are accomplished...
How wondrous are the marvels of Your love,
We are amazed, we stammer and grow dumb,
For word and spirit fails us.
(St Benedicta of the Cross "Selected Works")
Prayer (St Raphael Kalinowski (1835-1907)
Jesus, hope of suffering humanity, our refuge and our strength, whose light pierces the black cloud that hang over our stormy sea, enlighten our eyes so that we can direct ourselves toward You Who are our harbour. Guide our bark with the rudder of the nails of Your cross, lest we drown in the storm. With the arms of this cross rescue us from the turbulent waters and draw us to Yourself, our only repose, Morning Star, Sun of Justice, for with our eyes obscured by tears, we can catch a glimpse of You there, on the shores of our heavenly homeland. redeemed by You, we pray: Salvos nos fac propter nomen tuum - "Save us for the sake of Your holy name." And all this through Mary.
("Saint Raphael Kalinowski: An Introduction to His Life and Spirituality")
Picture represents 18th century Cuzco, Peru, art school - "Triumph of Christ the King over four continents" original in the Brooklyn Museum NY.
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