The Plenary Indulgence on the Solemnity of Christ the King
This year’s solemnity of Christ the King brought alot of joy in my heart. A friend of mine, who is currently visiting Our Lady at Medjugorje, encouraged me to pray the following prayer so that the faithful, at the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre in Malta, can obtain the plenary indulgence at this important solemnity which closes the liturgical year.
The great Pope Pius XI wrote this Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King. The usual requirements for the obtaining of the Plenary Indulgence, this time on the Feast of Christ the King, involve: (1) Publicly recite the prayer Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer, namely the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King; (2) Pray one Our Father and one Hail Mary for the Pope’s intentions, in other words those intentions designated by the Holy Father each month; (3) Receive worthily Holy Communion, ideally on the same day; (4) Going for a sacramental confession roughly within 20 days of the Feast of Christ the King.
Here is the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King, in Latin Iesu dulcissime, Redemptor:
Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before You. We are Yours, and Yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known You; many, too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart.
Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of Truth and the unity of Faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor forever. Amen.
Let us make our own the words Pope Francis told us in his Angelus Address of November 26, 2023, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe:
So, brothers and sisters, let us ask ourselves: do we believe that true kingship consists in mercy? Do we believe in the power of love? Do we believe that charity is the most kingly manifestation of man, and is an indispensable requirement for the Christian? And finally, a particular question: am I a friend of the King, that is, do I feel personally involved in the needs of the suffering people I find on my path?
May these questions help us to become more involved in Christ’s Kingship of love and mercy. Amen.
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
