Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

In other years: Saint Edmund (d. 869); Blessed Mary Fortunata Viti (1827-1922)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 42 Silence After Compline

Mass: 2 Sm 5:1-3; Resp Ps 122; Col 1:12-20; Lk 23:35-43

We will go up to the house of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF MONTILGEON,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign King,

Who is the world's salvation,

All praise and homage do we bring

And thanks and adoration. 

Welcome to the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, a feast instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, the last Sunday of the liturgical year, and a day to "go rejoicing to the house of the Lord" (Ps 122), while singing Christ Jesus, Victor! Christ Jesus, Ruler! Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer! And not only that, as if that is not enough, we pick our patron saint for Liturgical Year 2023 that begins next Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, and reaches all the way to December 3 of next year, the First Sunday of Advent 2023. Who will be your companion and guide in the coming year? Before choosing from your collection gathered these days, remember what the cloistered nun said to Mrs. Elizabeth Scalia (see reflection of November 1, 2022), "The saint chooses you. Pray, first that the patron be guided your way. But the prayer is more for you, for your awareness." Furthermore, remember that "you have been given a great opportunity for spiritual growth, if you stick together." Together, then, we carry our crosses, sing God's praises, and be open to God's merciful love and forgiveness. For Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, gives us a chance, as Pope Francis preached in his homily today at the Cathedral of Asti, Italy, "to reign in this life, if only you surrender to His meek love that proposes but does not impose, a love that always forgives you, that always sets you on your feet, that always restores your royal dignity." United in faith and prayer, with our patron saint by our side, and with one of the criminals hanging near Jesus on a cross, we say to Our Lord, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Listen. Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. 

It is clear that he who prays for the coming of God's kingdom prays rightly to have it within himself, that there it may grow and bear fruit and become perfect. For God reigns in each of His holy ones.

(From a notebook on prayer by Origen, priest, in Office of Readings, Christ the King)

Through cross He bore is life and health,

Though shame and death to Him,

His people's hope, His people's wealth,

Their everlasting hope.

SAINT EDMUND,

BLESSED MARY FORTUNATA VITI,

PRAY FOR US.

Fun fact: I have been to Veroli, Italy, where one will find the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de 'Franconi, also where one of our saints of the day, Blessed Fortunata Viti, was a nun for some seventy-two years. It was there that she served as housekeeper, sometimes as infirmarian, and also as portress. In all that and more, Fortunata Viti did no more than live out the Benedictine ideal of ora et labora based on charity. Pope Saint Paul VI beatified her in 1967 and spoke of her "greatness and littleness." I was sent to Veroli by a dear friend and Benedictine monk of happy memory, Father Paschal Cheline, OSB, who had a special devotion to Fortunata Viti. Essentially, I went wherever Father Paschal told me to go, whether it be to venerate the remains of a saint or two or go to an art museum. At Veroli, I not only spoke to the Abbess through a double grill I prayed before the tomb of Blessed Fortunata Viti. In addition, I was served an overabundance of food for dinner, delivered through the turn. It was a grace-filled day. I have here before me, a Blessed Fortunata Viti holy card. The cause for Fortunata Viti's canonization is on-going and supported by Mount Angel Abbey. You can find more information on their website www.mountangelabbey.org. For all the saints ... 

Today's photo: A view from the deck of a faithful reader, Willits, California, after the first rain in October. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022