Pope Piux XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in his 1925 encyclical,Quas Primas, in response to growing nationalism and secularism.
If ever we needed Christ proclaimed as King, it is now.First, we need to reclaim him as King in our own livesand in our own homes.Then we need to pray for him to be King of our nation and world.
This feast ends the liturgical year.It also ends the “story” of Jesus with all the end time readings that we hear at Mass.In the end, He will reign as King forever!
To Pray: PRAYER TO CHRIST THE KING O Christ Jesus,I acknowledge You as King of the universe.All that has been created has been made for You.Exercise over me all Your rights.I renew my baptismal promises,Renouncing Satan and all his work and pomp.I promise to live a good Christian lifeAnd to do all in my power to procure the triumph of the rights of God and Your Church.Divine Heart of Jesus,I offer you my poor actionsIn order to obtain that all heartsMay acknowledge Your Sacred Royalty,And that thus the reign of Your peaceMay be established throughout the universe.Amen.
To Do:If you need an excuse for friends to gather, then this is it.Have a Sunday afternoon party or brunch after mass to celebrate Christ the King.With Thanksgiving so close and Advent starting soon, this may be the kind of relaxed gathering you need (or it might take you over the edge!)If you do, be sure to pray the glorious mysterious of the rosary sometime during your party.
To celebrate this feast day in your home (or at your party.) Make your favorite cake into a “crown cake.”This can be done by putting fancy “crown-like” cookies around the outside, triangular shaped chocolate around the outside, putting a home-made cardboard crown on the top, or using a kid’s costume King crown on the top.There are even “crown” cake pans that could be used.This will be the centerpiece of your table and focus of the day.
If you have children who love to make stuff, then set up a crown-making station.Use strips of colored paper that fit around a child’s head.Have “jewels” and other decorations to glue onto the strips.
Dinner Discussion: Does Christ reign as King in my life and in our home? How can we do this better?