Introduction

This Little Office of Christ the King is modeled after the pre-Vatican II "Little Offices" of devotion. They consisted, basically, of the opening verses of the Breviary Office, a portion of the Hymn(s) of the Feast, a versicle and response proper to the Feast and the Collect of the Feast.

I have compiled this for two reasons:

A) Because I would like all my readers to pray for the Instauration of the Social Reign of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King, and this is an excellent way to do that, and

B) Because the post conciliar Church has emasculated the doctrine of the Social Reign and has written insipid prayers reflecting the watered down doctrine taught. They pray that Christ may reign as King in our Hearts, whereas the Traditional Liturgy prays that he may literally reign, in our states, our societies, our schools and our families.

Here is a selection from Michael Davies' "The Reign of Christ the King", which explains the Traditional doctrine:

The Universal Rights of Christ the King

In his encyclical, Quas Primas, Pope Pius XI reaffirmed the unbroken teaching of his predecessors upon the papal throne that states as well as individuals must submit themselves to the rule of Christ the King. In affirming this fundamental truth of our faith, Pope Pius was not referring simply to Catholic nations, or even to Christian nations, but to the whole of mankind. He cites from the encyclical, Annum Sacrum of Pope Leo XIII:


The empire of Christ the King includes not only Catholic nations, not only Baptized persons who, though of right belonging to the Church, have been led astray by error, or have been cut off from her by schism, but also all those who are outside the Christian faith; so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Christ.


The separation of Church and state was condemned unequivocally by the Roman Pontiffs until the Second Vatican Council. The Church's teaching is that the State has an obligation to render public worship to God in accord with the teachings of the True Church, the Catholic Church, and positively to aid the Catholic Church in the carrying out of her functions. The state does not have the right to remain neutral regarding religion, much less to pursue a secular approach in its policies.

No one claiming to be a Christian would, one hopes, dispute the fact that as individuals we must submit ourselves to the rule of Christ the King, but very few Christians, Catholics included, and conservative Catholics among them, understand, let alone uphold, the Social Kingship of Christ.

Strictly speaking, God alone has rights which belong to Him of His very nature. As human beings we possess only contingent rights, rights which are accorded to us by God. We have a right to do only what is pleasing to God. The fundamental meaning of the word, "liberty," is the ability to act without constraint.

Again, citing from Pope Leo XIII:

The true liberty of human society does not consist in every man doing what he pleases, for this would simply end in turmoil and confusion, and bring on the overthrow of the State: but rather in this, that through the injunctions of the civil law all may easily conform to the prescriptions of the ETERNAL LAW.

Christ is the Ruler of the kings of the earth and He must Reign!

Opportet illum regnare!

The entire booklet may be read at Catholic Tradition.

I hope that this blog will be edifying and that many of my readers will print out what it contains and pray the Little Office and that my fellow Trad bloggers will link to this blog. (Mr James Sullivan has created a PDF document for ease of printing, available here).

The entire propers of the Feast are at Breviary.net.

Here is a traditional prayer to Christ the King, which is really an Oath of Allegiance to His Kingly Powers:

Prayer to Christ the King

O CHRIST, JESUS, I acknowledge Thee as Universal King.
For Thee all creatures have been made. Do Thou exercise
over me all the rights that Thou hast.

Renewing my Baptismal Vows, I renounce Satan,
with all his works and pomps, and I promise to live as a
good Catholic: Especially, do I pledge myself, by all
the means in my power, to bring about the triumph of the
rights of God and of Thy Church.

Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee all my poor actions to obtain
that all hearts may recognize Thy Sacred Royalty, and that thus the
Reign of Thy Peace may be established throughout the entire world.
Amen.

I have placed another wonderful prayer, expressing the Traditional doctrine of the Kingship of Christ, which may be read at the end of the Office as a commendation, at the end of this page as an additional post.

Mattins

V. O Lord, open Thou my lips.
R. That my mouth may proclaim Thy praise.

V. O, God, make speed to save me.
R. O, Lord make haste to help me.

V. Glory be...
R. As it was...
Alleluia (In Lent: Praise be to Thee, O King of Eternal Glory)

Lord of the ages evermore,
Each nation's King, the wide world o'er,
O Christ, our only Judge thou art,
And Searcher of the mind and heart.

Through Sin with rebel voice maintain,
We will not have this Christ to reign,
Far other, Lord, shall be our cry,
Who hail thee King of kings most High.

O thou eternal Prince of peace,
Subdue man's pride, bid error cease,
Permit not sin to wax o'er-bold,
The strayed bring home within the fold.

For this thou hangedst on the Tree
With arms outstretched in loving plea;
For this thou shewedst forth thy Heart,
On fire with love, pierced by the dart.

All praise, King Jesu, be to thee,
The Lord of all in majesty;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.

Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia.

V. All power is given unto me.
R. In heaven and in earth.

V. O lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us Pray

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast exalted thy beloved Son to be King over all worlds, and hast willed in him to make all things new : mercifully grant that the kindreds of the earth which are wounded and dispersed by sin : may speedily be knit together under his gracious sovereignty. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Lauds

V. O, God, make speed to save me.
R. O, Lord make haste to help me.

V. Glory be...
R. As it was...
Alleluia (In Lent: Praise be to Thee, O King of Eternal Glory)

And yet that wounded side sheds grace
Forth from the altar's holy place,
Where, veiled 'neath humblest bread and wine,
Abides for man the life divine.

Earth's noblest rulers to thee raise
Their homage due of public praise;
Teachers and judges thee confess;
Art, science, law, thy truth express.

All praise, King Jesu, be to thee,
The Lord of all in majesty;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.

Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia.

V. All power is given unto me.
R. In heaven and in earth.

V. O lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us Pray

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast exalted thy beloved Son to be King over all worlds, and hast willed in him to make all things new : mercifully grant that the kindreds of the earth which are wounded and dispersed by sin : may speedily be knit together under his gracious sovereignty. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Prime

V. O, God, make speed to save me.
R. O, Lord make haste to help me.

V. Glory be...
R. As it was...
Alleluia (In Lent: Praise be to Thee, O King of Eternal Glory)

Let kings be fain to dedicate
To thee the emblems of their state;
Rule thou each nation from above,
Rule o'er the people's homes in love.

All praise, King Jesu, be to thee,
The Lord of all in majesty;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.

Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia.

V. All power is given unto me.
R. In heaven and in earth.

V. O lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us Pray

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast exalted thy beloved Son to be King over all worlds, and hast willed in him to make all things new : mercifully grant that the kindreds of the earth which are wounded and dispersed by sin : may speedily be knit together under his gracious sovereignty. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Terce

V. O, God, make speed to save me.
R. O, Lord make haste to help me.

V. Glory be...
R. As it was...
Alleluia (In Lent: Praise be to Thee, O King of Eternal Glory)

O thou eternal Image bright
Of God most high, thou Light of Light,
To thee, Redeemer, glory be,
And might and kingly majesty.

All praise, King Jesu, be to thee,
The Lord of all in majesty;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.

Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia.

V. All power is given unto me.
R. In heaven and in earth.

V. O lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us Pray

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast exalted thy beloved Son to be King over all worlds, and hast willed in him to make all things new : mercifully grant that the kindreds of the earth which are wounded and dispersed by sin : may speedily be knit together under his gracious sovereignty. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Sext

V. O, God, make speed to save me.
R. O, Lord make haste to help me.

V. Glory be...
R. As it was...
Alleluia (In Lent: Praise be to Thee, O King of Eternal Glory)

Sole hope of all created things,
Thou art the Lord and King of kings,
Whom God, long ere creation's morn,
Had crowned to rule earth yet unborn.

All praise, King Jesu, be to thee,
The Lord of all in majesty;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.

Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia.

V. All power is given unto me.
R. In heaven and in earth.

V. O lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us Pray

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast exalted thy beloved Son to be King over all worlds, and hast willed in him to make all things new : mercifully grant that the kindreds of the earth which are wounded and dispersed by sin : may speedily be knit together under his gracious sovereignty. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

None

V. O, God, make speed to save me.
R. O, Lord make haste to help me.

V. Glory be...
R. As it was...
Alleluia (In Lent: Praise be to Thee, O King of Eternal Glory)

Fair flower from the Virgin's breast,
Our race's Head for ever blest,
The stone that Daniel saw on high,
Which falling, o'er the world doth lie.

All praise, King Jesu, be to thee,
The Lord of all in majesty;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.

Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia.

V. All power is given unto me.
R. In heaven and in earth.

V. O lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us Pray

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast exalted thy beloved Son to be King over all worlds, and hast willed in him to make all things new : mercifully grant that the kindreds of the earth which are wounded and dispersed by sin : may speedily be knit together under his gracious sovereignty. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Vespers

V. O, God, make speed to save me.
R. O, Lord make haste to help me.

V. Glory be...
R. As it was...
Alleluia (In Lent: Praise be to Thee, O King of Eternal Glory)

The race of men, condemned to lie
Beneath the direful tyrant's yoke,
By thee at length the shackles broke
And claimed the fatherland on high.

Priest, Teacher, Giver of the law,
Thy Name the rapt Apostle saw
Writ on thy vesture and thy thigh :
THE KING OF KINGS, THE LORD MOST HIGH.

All praise, King Jesu, be to thee,
The Lord of all in majesty;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.

Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia.

V. All power is given unto me.
R. In heaven and in earth.

V. O lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us Pray

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast exalted thy beloved Son to be King over all worlds, and hast willed in him to make all things new : mercifully grant that the kindreds of the earth which are wounded and dispersed by sin : may speedily be knit together under his gracious sovereignty. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Compline

V. Turn us, then O God our Saviour.
R. And let Thine anger cease from us.

V. O, God, make speed to save me.
R. O, Lord make haste to help me.

V. Glory be...
R. As it was...
Alleluia (In Lent: Praise be to Thee, O King of Eternal Glory)

Fain would we own thy blessed sway,
Whose rule all creatures must obey ;
For happy is that state and throne
Whose subjects seek thy will alone.

All praise, King Jesu, be to thee,
The Lord of all in majesty;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.

Ant. The Lord God * shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, alleluia.

V. All power is given unto me.
R. In heaven and in earth.

V. O lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us Pray

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast exalted thy beloved Son to be King over all worlds, and hast willed in him to make all things new : mercifully grant that the kindreds of the earth which are wounded and dispersed by sin : may speedily be knit together under his gracious sovereignty. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

May the Lord Almighty and Merciful, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, vouchsafe to bless us and keep us. Amen.

Hail Christ Our King!

From the J+M+J Novena Manual by Fr Stedman:

Most Sweet Jesus! Come near to us, Thy children. Receive from our hands that Crown which those who are but dust of earth, try to seize from Thee. Enter now in triumph among us, Thy fervent followers! HAIL CHRIST OUR KING!

Lawmakers may break the tables of Thy Law, but whilst they lose their thrones and are forgotten, we, Thy subjects, will continue to salute Thee, HAIL CHRIST OUR KING!

They have said that Thy Gospel is out of date, that it hinders progress and must no longer be considered. They who say this soon disappear into obscurity and are forgotten; whilst we, who adore Thee, continue to salute Thee, HAIL CHRIST OUR KING!

The proud, the worldly, those who possess unlawful riches, those who thirst for riches, honours and pleasures alone, declaring Thy moral law to be for past ages, will be hurled against the Rock of Calvary and Thy Church, and falling, will be reduced to dust, and sink into oblivion, whilst we, Thy followers, continue to salute Thee, HAIL CHRIST OUR KING!

Those who seek the dawn of a material civilisation, divorced from God, will surely die, poisoned by their own false doctrine, deserted and cursed by their own children, whilst we, who would console Thee, will continue to salute Thee, HAIL CHRIST OUR KING!

Yes, hail to Thee, O Christ our King! Put to flight Lucifer, the fallen angel of darkness, from our homes, schools and society, force him and his agents into Hell, chain him there everlastingly, whilst we, Thy friends, continue to salute Thee, HAIL CHRIST OUR KING!