Long live Christ the King!

On Sunday, November 22, 2020 we will celebrate one of the feasts most special to Miles Christi: the liturgical Solemnity of Christ the King. Those of us enrolled in this small militia desire to “be more devoted and to distinguish themselves in the entire service of their Eternal King and Universal Lord” (St. Ignatius, Sp Ex 97).

The feast of Christ the King is of particular importance for the whole Catholic Church. It is a feast that was instituted against anti-clericalism, which, according to Pope Pius XI, is “the plague that now infects society, (and which) did not come into being in one day; it has long lurked beneath the surface.” Anti-clericalism is the rejection of the sovereignty of Jesus Christ over all hearts and over all societies. It is the declaration of independence of nations with respect to the Catholic faith, and emancipation with respect to the Magisterium of the Church—the only depository of the teachings of the Lord for the authentic continuation of His work in the world. Because of anti-clericalism, Christ the King is banished from the family, the school, the workplace, the law, and the public domain. Its impious cry is: We do not want this Man to reign over us!

“The rebellion of individuals and states against the authority of Christ has produced deplorable consequences.” Faced with this, “we firmly hope, however, that the feast of the Kingship of Christ, which in the future will be yearly observed, may hasten the return of society to our loving Savior. It would be the duty of Catholics to do all they can to bring about this happy result. Many of these, however, have neither the station in society nor the authority which should belong to those who bear the torch of truth. This state of things may perhaps be attributed to a certain slowness and timidity in good people, who are reluctant to engage in conflict or oppose but a weak resistance; thus the enemies of the Church become bolder in their attacks. But if the faithful were generally to understand that it behooves them ever to fight courageously under the banner of Christ their King, then, fired with apostolic zeal, they would strive to win over to their Lord those hearts that are bitter and estranged from Him, and would valiantly defend His rights. (…) 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” (Pius XI, Encyclical Quas Primas, no. 24-25).

Let us affirm the absolute sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ, repeating with St. Paul the Apostle: “For He must reign” (1 Cor 15:25). In Miles Christi we are called to let Christ truly reign in our lives, with the ardent desire that He come to reign over all of humanity, as the Magisterium of the Church teaches.

The reign of Christ must prevail: “Jesus Christ is King, the Supreme King, and as King He must be honored. His thought must be in our minds; His morality in our customs; His charity in our institutions; His justice in our laws; His action in history; His worship in religion; His life in our life” (St. Pius X).

Let us celebrate this sublime liturgical Solemnity with deep spiritual joy. Long live Christ the King!