Christ the King Novena Begins November 13, 2015

The Feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI to remind the world, that Jesus Christ is Lord of the Universe. It occurs on the last Sunday of the liturgical year. The feast was instituted on December 11, 1925 with the encyclical Quas Primas. The Holy Father was responding to the fact that the world was becoming increasingly nationalistic and secular. Governments were claiming more and more allegiance from their citizens and attempting to replace God.

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Pius XI expected three blessings to flow from the celebration of the feast: first, that "men will doubtless be reminded that the Church, founded by Christ as a perfect society, has a natural and inalienable right to perfect freedom and immunity from the power of the state"; second, that "Nations will be reminded by the annual celebration of this feast that not only private individuals but also rulers and princes are bound to give public honor and obedience to Christ"; and third, that "The faithful, moreover, by meditating upon these truths, will gain much strength and courage, enabling them to form their lives after the true Christian ideal."

It is particularly important to recognize the words of the encyclical in today’s climate of government intrusion on the Church:

While nations insult the beloved name of our Redeemer by suppressing all mention of it in their conferences and parliaments, we must all the more loudly proclaim his kingly dignity and power, all the more universally affirm his rights. [Quas Primas, 25]

When we pay honor to the princely dignity of Christ, men will doubtless be reminded that the Church, founded by Christ as a perfect society, has a natural and inalienable right to perfect freedom and immunity from the power of the state; and that in fulfilling the task committed to her by God of teaching, ruling, and guiding to eternal bliss those who belong to the kingdom of Christ, she cannot be subject to any external power. [Quas Primas, 31]

Novena Prayers

Christ, our Savior and our King, renew in me allegiance to Your Kingship.

Day 1 – I pray for the grace to place You above the powers of this world in all things.

Day 2 – I pray for the grace to obey You before any civic authority.

Day 3 – I pray for the grace to fervently bring about Your Kingdom in my family and community.

Day 4 – I pray that You will reign in my mind.

Day 5 – I pray that You will reign in my heart.

Day 6 – I pray that You will reign in my will.

Day 7 – I pray that You will reign in my body.

Day 8 – I pray that You will reign throughout all the world.

Day 9 – I pray that You will reign in every area of my life.

O Prince of Peace, may Your reign be complete in my life and in the life of the world. Christ, my King, please answer these petitions if they be in accordance with Your Holy Will…

[Mention your intentions here]

As I reflect on Your second, glorious coming and the judgement of all mankind, I beg You to show me mercy and give me the grace to become a great saint. I pray that not only will I spend eternity with You but that You may use me – a sinner – to bring others into Your Kingdom for Your glory.

Christ the King, Your Kingdom come!

Amen.