Prayer prescribed by Pius XI for the Feast of Christ the King.
[Read the encyclical Quas Primas, 1925]
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thy cross. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united to Thee, behold, each one of us this day freely consecrates himself to Thy most Sacred Heart. Many, indeed, have never known Thee; many, too, despising Thy precepts have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house lest they perish of wretchedness and hunger.
Be Thou King of those whom heresy holds in error or discord keeps aloof; call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one fold and one Shepherd. Be Thou King of all those who even now sit in the darkness of idolatry or Islam, and refuse not Thou to bring them into the light of Thy kingdom.
Finally, turn Thine eyes of pity upon the children of that race, which was for so long a time Thy chosen people; and let Thy Blood, which was once invoked upon them in vengeance, now descend upon them also in a cleansing flood of redemption and eternal life.
Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and bring it to pass that from pole to pole the earth may resound with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.