In the Catholic Church, a solemnity is the highest liturgical celebration in comparison with feasts and memorials. As such, today’s solemnity, Christ the Universal King, deserves some form of high moments especially regarding its historical perspective. It was Pope Pius XI who instituted it on 11th December, 1925 through his encyclical letter, Quas Primas in response to growing nationalism and secularism in an era where the world witnessed the rise of non-Christian dictators especially in Europe, and in particular, in the context of the unresolved Roman Question under the fascist leader Benito Mussolini.
Elsewhere in Germany, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party was growing in power and influence. This was also a period during which the world was experiencing a great depression after the First World War (1914-1918). With these undertones, many people began to doubt Christ’s authority and existence and his mandate to the Church to continue his work on earth. In effect, respect for Christ’s authority was waning in a world bent on turning towards itself and selfdestruction. According to the Pope, “…evils in the world were due to the fact that majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives … And as long as individuals and states refused to submit to the rule of our Saviour there will be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations …” (Quas Primas, no. 1). Thus, the institution of this solemnity was first aimed at those abusing political power, and then to remind rulers, legislators, members of judicial and civil societies and Christian leaders to imbue in themselves the values of Jesus’ Kingdom such as love, humility, justice, peace and harmony.
Originally, the solemnity was titled “Our Lord Jesus Christ the King,” fixed on the last Sunday of October which is a week prior to the Solemnity of All Saints. But in1969, Pope Paul VI gave it a new title: “Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe” and a new date, which is the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year, i.e., the Thirty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is a solemnity celebrated not only by Catholics, but also, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and others. The eschatological significance of this new date is that, it puts emphasis on the fact that in the final analysis, at the end of everything, it is Christ who matters, who rules and who judges.
By Rev. Father Lucas Binnah
