Jesus Christ- King of the Universe

But is He the King of your universe?

Source: V-Catholic.com

It is pretty hard to deny that things are going very badly in the world in 2025. They have been going that way for some time. 100 years ago- in 1925- Pope Pius XI wanted to do something to address it.

Vatican News:

...In 1925, Pope Pius XI proclaimed that the best way to defeat injustice was by acknowledging the kingship of Christ. “For people are instructed in the truths of faith, and brought to appreciate the inner joys of religion far more effectually by the annual celebration of our sacred mysteries than by any official pronouncement of the teaching of the Church. Such pronouncements usually reach only a few and the more learned among the faithful; feasts reach them all; the former speak but once, the latter speak every year - in fact, forever. The church's teaching affects the mind primarily; her feasts affect both mind and heart, and have a salutary effect upon the whole of man's nature” (Encyclical Quas primas, 11 December 1925).

The original date this feast was celebrated was the Sunday prior to All Saints Day (the last Sunday of October). But with the liturgical reform of 1969, it was moved to the last Sunday of the liturgical year, thus highlighting that Jesus Christ, the King, is the destination of our earthly pilgrimage. There are Biblical texts specific to all three years of the liturgical cycle which help us fully grasp the person of Jesus.

The liturgical calendar is a great vehicle for keeping our faith fresh, lively and renewed but only if we fully take advantage of it.

Today is the feast of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It is the last Sunday of Ordinary time in this Liturgical year. Ordinary time is in separated blocks throughout the year, surrounded by the other seasons.

The New Liturgical year begins with the first Sunday of Advent. Advent points back to the time we are waiting in hope for the coming of the Messiah. The ultimate Advent song is O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

In the eschatological sense, Advent anticipates the return of Jesus.

The first week of Advent will always include the feast of Saint Andrew and one of the most cherished Novenas of our church.

The Saint Andrew's Christmas Novena is named because of the day it starts- November 30th, the feast of Saint Andrew. The novena is for a special intention for which we say the same prayer 15 times a day from that day up to, and including Christmas Eve.

The Advent season ends, and the Christmas season begins, at Midnight on Christmas Eve.

Here is the prayer:

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

This year, the feast of Saint Andrew, and the 1st Sunday of Advent, are the same day so you would be reciting the novena for the entire Advent season!

The rest of the Liturgical year, with some special notes.

The Christmas season will run from Midnight on Christmas Eve to Sunday, January 11th.

Ordinary time will begin on January 12th and run through Shrove Tuesday- February 17th.

The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 18th) and runs until Wednesday, April 1st which is denoted as Spy Wednesday. This is the day when Jesus was betrayed by Judas.

Interestingly enough, though the calendar changes from year to year, we believe it matches up in 2026 to the actual historical year of 33 AD.

The Sacred Triduum begins on Holy Thursday- April 2nd.

Good Friday will be on the actual crucifixion day- April 3rd.

Holy Saturday- April 4th

Easter Sunday- April 5th.

At the Easter Vigil of this rare alignment, I will see 2 friends welcomed into the Catholic church.

Divine Mercy Sunday will be April 12th.

Ascension Thursday is May 14th.

Pentecost Sunday will be May 24th.

On May 25th, we return to Ordinary time where we will remain until the year finishes out on November 22nd with a repeat of the feast of Christ, the King of the Universe.

Before the liturgical year ends, I am scheduled for a pilgrimage of 10 days in Israel where I will experience all these seasons where they began.

That is kind of the point.

We are not supposed to merely commemorate Jesus. We are to truly live and experience Him and He is to reign as the King of Our universes.

That is why this Israel trip is so important to me. To see and touch the Holy places- Nazareth, Galilee, Mount Tabor, Bethlehem, Jerusalem- and to share them with you. However, you don't have to go to Isreal to experience Jesus. He is there in the Mass, at Adoration, at Confession, in your rosaries and devotions and prayers. He is limited only by you and your willingness to seek Him and welcome Him.

Make this day a day of rededication.

A blessed new liturgical year to you all!