The King of Yesterday, Today, Forever

Today is the feast of Christ the King, the end of the liturgical year. As it falls the last Sunday before Advent every year, it feels like a deep-rooted tradition. But in terms of Church traditions, it’s actually not that old. It was established in 1925 and only moved to the last Sunday before Advent in 1970. Still, it is a wonderful feast to remind us to prioritize God over worldly powers and influences.

Pope Pius XI established the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 100 years ago in response to growing secularism and ultra-nationalism. Pope Pius XI wanted to highlight that while worldly powers come and go, Christ is the everlasting ruler, and His teachings do not change. This was also meant to encourage people to live their faith openly and resist compartmentalizing it under the influence of secular culture.

In his encyclical Quas primas (“In the first”) establishing the solemnity, Pope Pius XI said,

“He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ.

He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God.

He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone.

He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, ‘as instruments of justice unto God.’” 

Similar to this year, 1925 was a Jubilee Year. Pope Pius XI emphasized missionary activity, giving him the title “Pope of the Missions.” The world was changing – rapidly – and the pope knew that the Church had to address it.

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Who is Mary?

The mother of Jesus has long drawn people closer to her Son, but she has also caused a lot of controversy, especially between Catholics and Protestants disagreeing how much praise this holy, human woman deserves. When does appreciation become veneration? When does veneration become worship? How far is too far, and how little is not enough?

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith recently released a doctrinal note, “Mater Populi Fidelis” (“Mother of the Faithful People of God”) clarifying the Church’s position on Mary. It discouraged using the titles “co-redemptrix” and “co-mediatrix” noting that such titles caused confusion for many. The titles have been used, unofficially, for several decades, without formal approval and without clear definition of what they mean. This has caused arguments over implications of Mary’s role in salvation history.

“Co-redemptrix,” the note said, “carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ” in salvation.

“Co-mediatrix” could imply that Mary could somehow mediate the grace that she herself received and should not be used in a way that casts doubt on “the unique mediation of Jesus Christ, true God and true man.”

Two Gentlemen of Rome

Today is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Like Sts. Peter and Paul’s joint feast day, this feast combines the dedication of the two basilicas in Rome which bear their names.

I’ve always found it odd that they share a feast day. Both are such huge powerhouses in the life of the Church you would think they each get their own day. Plus, they have such strong, differing personalities; I can’t imagine during their earthly life they would have been pleased to know they would always be lumped together. (Though I’m sure now, perfected in heaven, they’re fine with it.)

Both St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls were built by Constantine in the 4th century, over the site where each saint was buried. Despite several miles separating them, the two basilicas were originally connected by a long colonnade.

But perhaps they are most connected because pilgrims have long come to these places to pay respects to these apostles and martyrs. In fact, bishops are required to go to “the tombs of the Apostles” during their ad limina visits every five years. For most pilgrims, like me, it’s more of a once-in-a-lifetime visit. I was able to visit both basilicas and receive a testamonium from the Church, acknowledging my journey to their tombs.