When Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King for the universal Church, (in the encyclical letter Quas Primas) he wrote primarily of the social kingship of Christ, Our Lord’s dominion and authority in human and civil affairs. Our Lord said to Pilate “you would have no authority over me if it had not been given you from above” (Jn 19.11)

Although many western countries have rejected the kingship of Christ by a strict separation of Church and state, there are signs of hope that, for example, the sanctity of human life and the protection of the family can motivate people to see this teaching with a new enthusiasm.

Pope Pius also referred to an older tradition whereby we give Christ the King sovereignty over our hearts and minds Christ is very truth and we should subject ourselves to Him so that our lives are rightly ordered.

In practice, this means giving the first place to Our Lord in our daily routine: making Sunday Mass and daily prayer an absolute priority, trying to keep he commandments more faithfully, and engaging in active works of charity towards our neighbour. That way we draw closer to Our Lord and King whose rule is benign and whose love is infinite.