The early 20th century saw great destruction, tyranny, and corruption.
With the advent of technological advances in weaponry and transportation, World War I brought great depravity and horror. Faced not only with the pain and destruction of war, this era also saw a rise in political tyranny, with fascism and communism threatening the freedom and dignity of many peoples. These ideologies did not merely affect the political order, but greatly impacted people personally, causing a great rise in nihilism and atheism.
The culture was broken, people were suffering, and the Church was under threat.
What the world needed was a king. Not an earthly king, whose pride and power keep him from serving his people, but a Heavenly King, One Who rules the universe with humility and love.
Recognizing this profound need, in 1925 Pope Pius XI wrote the encyclical Quas Primas (“In the first”) in response. This encyclical addressed the reality of Christ’s kingship over the entire world and instituted the feast of Christ the King of the Universe. 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.
The feast of Christ the King is celebrated on the last Sunday of the liturgical calendar, closing out each liturgical year with the hopeful reminder that Christ will always reign. This year, the feast of Christ the King will be celebrated on Sunday, November 26th.
Since the feast of Christ the King occurs right before the Advent season, it also serves as a profound reminder to keep Christ as King of our hearts and to use the upcoming weeks as prayerful preparation to make our hearts fit for such a King.
Catholics celebrate many beautiful feasts. Perhaps this is one of the reasons Saint John Henry Newman found the Catholic faith so appealing. Loss and Gain is the first work John Henry Newman penned after entering the Catholic Church in 1845, and it remains one of the great Catholic conversion novels. Discover Loss and Gain, by John Henry Newman,. Available today at The Catholic Company!
