In the traditional calendar of the Catholic Church, the final Sunday of October is the feast of Christ the King. This feast was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to emphasize that Christ, in overcoming the world through his passion, death, and resurrection, is made King over all things in heaven and on earth. As Saint Paul declared in his Epistle to the Ephesians, 1:17-23:
[17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him: [18] The eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what the hope is of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. [19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe according to the operation of the might of his power, [20] Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places.
[21] Above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. [22] And he hath subjected all things under his feet, and hath made him head over all the church, [23] Which is his body, and the fulness of him who is filled all in all.
Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, professor of theology and philosophy at Wyoming Catholic College, wrote an excellent article emphasizing the importance of this Feast, especially as regards its original date established by Pius XI. Please take the time to read his article at the blog Rorate Caeli, Should the Feast of Christ the King Be Celebrated in October or November?
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