Feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ

“Be Thou our King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger”

Today in the General Roman Calendar of 1960 is the Feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This Feast was instituted by Pope Pius XI relatively recently in his encyclical letter, Quas Primas, in 1925.

Our celebrant today for this Feast was Fr Ian Verrier, on his second visit to Bedford since the Traditional Masses at Christ the King were taken on by the FSSP earlier this month. He wore a magnificant gold chasuble and a deep lace border and gave an inspiring homily tracing the history of Christ as King through the Old and New Testaments, with much reference to Pius XI’s encyclical.  Christ is King over all people, and only by all acknowledging Him as King will there be peace and harmony in the world. At the end of the Mass, we said a beautiful Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King, part of which is quoted above.  We were also reminded about the indulgences which may be gained both on this day and in November.

Fr Verrier announced on his visit earlier this month that he will be moving to the FSSP Apostolate at Warrington in the New Year.  We wish him every blessing over the next few months as he prepares to move North.

by fsspuk