Solemnity of Christ the King

Each year the Roman Catholic Church ends its liturgical year with a special feast dedicated to CHrist the King. It is a relatively modern feast, as it was only instituted 100 years ago. In 1925, the world was in turmoil after World War I, with the increasing growth of secularism spreading throughout the world. Pope Pius XI sought to combat the darkness with an affirmation that Jesus Christ is the true king to whom we owe allegiance. He did this by establishing a feast in honor of "Our Lord Jesus Christ the King," through his encyclical letter "Quas Primas", published on December 11, 1025.

After the 2nd Vatican Council, it was deemed more appropriate to move this to the end of the liturgical year, immediately prior to the beginning of Advent. Thus, the feast of the KIngship of Christ sets the crowning glory upon the mysteries of the life of Christ already commemorated during the year.

100 years later this feast remains an important part of the liturgical year and is a time to recall Jesus' kingship over us all, especially being the King of our hearts and the true Sovereign over all society.

34th Sunday Ord. Time