A meditation on the Feast of Christ the King, from Dom Guéranger’s The Liturgical YearThe Feast of Christ the King, instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 through the encyclical Quas Primas, was established to reaffirm and proclaim the universal sovereignty of Jesus Christ over all creation—rulers and nations, societies and individuals. Conceived in a time of growing secularism, materialism, and political upheaval, the feast was meant to remind the world that true authority and peace come only from Christ, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. It calls the faithful to recognize and submit to His reign not merely in outward worship but in every aspect of personal and social life. The celebration affirms that Christ’s kingdom is one of truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love, and peace, standing in stark contrast to the transitory powers of the world and inviting all hearts to be subject to His gentle and saving rule.Dom Prosper Guéranger's The Liturgical Year, a monumental fifteen-volume work, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar, guiding readers through the spiritual and historical richness of the Church’s worship. Written in the 19th century, the series provides daily meditations, historical context, and liturgical texts for the Mass and Divine Office, covering the entire cycle of seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, Passiontide, Easter, and the Time after Pentecost—as well as feast days of saints. Guéranger’s work, rooted in a deep contemplative spirit, aims to immerse the faithful in the Church’s prayerful life, emphasizing the unity of faith through the axiom lex orandi, lex credendi ("the law of prayer is the law of belief"), and remains a cherished resource for Catholics seeking to deepen their spiritual lives. Dom Prosper Guéranger (1805–1875) was a French Benedictine monk, liturgical scholar, and founder of the Solesmes Abbey, renowned for his pivotal role in reviving the Benedictine Order in France and restoring the Roman liturgy after the disruptions of the French Revolution. Born in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, he entered the priesthood in 1827 and, inspired by a vision to restore monastic life, reestablished the Benedictine community at Solesmes in 1833, becoming its first abbot. A staunch defender of ultramontanism and traditional Catholic worship, he also championed the revival of Gregorian chant, significantly influencing the liturgical renewal movement.Please note: The entries of the Liturgical Year are primarily authored by Dom Prosper Guéranger, but occasionally contain editors’ additions of subsequent information and events that are relevant to the given feast.