Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

In its core document, Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement on Religious Liberty, the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty "urge[d] that the Solemnity of Christ the King-a feast born out of resistance to totalitarian incursions against religious liberty-be a day specifically employed by bishops and priests to preach about religious liberty, both here and abroad."

Let us pray fervently that we will help others encounter anew Christ, our King, bringing the Gospel to the margins of society, that all might bear witness to Him before others.

Background   |   Antecedentes

On the last Sunday of each liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King. 

Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925 with his encyclical Quas primas (“In the first”) to respond to growing secularism and atheism.  He recognized that attempting to “thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law” out of public life would result in continuing discord among people and nations. This solemnity reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns as King forever.

Read more.

2024 Resources

Christ the King

 

Novena     |    en español

Lectionary Notes    |    en español