This Prayer to Christ the King asks Jesus to reign in our hearts, our homes and our nations. The Church’s traditional Collect for the feast of Christ the King comes first, then the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King and a traditional Prayer to Christ the King for the novena.
Almighty everlasting God, who in Thy beloved Son, King of the whole world, hast willed to restore all things anew; grant in Thy mercy that all the families of nations, rent asunder by the wound of sin, may be subjected to His most gentle rule. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Christ Pantocrator, sixth-century icon, Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai. Public domain.
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thine altar. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today 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 die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be Thou 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 Thy 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 for ever. Amen.
Pope Pius XI prescribed this act for the Solemnity of Christ the King. A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it publicly on that day, under the usual conditions (Enchiridion of Indulgences, grant 2).
O Christ Jesus, I acknowledge Thee to be the King of the universe: all that has been made is created for Thee. Exercise over me all Thy sovereign rights. I hereby renew the promises of my Baptism, renouncing Satan and all his works and pomps, and I engage myself to lead henceforth a truly Christian life. And in an especial manner do I undertake to bring about the triumph of the rights of God and Thy Church, so far as in me lies. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee my poor actions to obtain the acknowledgment by every heart of Thy sacred Kingly power. In such wise may the kingdom of Thy peace be firmly established throughout all the earth. Amen.
Pray these prayers throughout the year and especially in the nine days before the feast. In 2026 the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe falls on Sunday, November 22, so the novena runs from November 13 through November 21; each day, pray the Prayer to Christ the King and the Act of Dedication, followed by an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. The Act of Dedication is traditionally recited before the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the feast itself. The Prayer to Christ the King, with its renewal of baptismal promises, is printed in Catholic Culture’s collection from a 1955 Franciscan family prayer book.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe is celebrated on the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year, just before Advent. In 2026 it is November 22. In the traditional calendar, as Pope Pius XI first set it, the feast is kept on the last Sunday of October, which is October 25 in 2026.
Calling Jesus “King” confesses that every person and every part of life belongs under His loving authority. His kingdom is revealed through truth, justice, mercy, self-giving love, and the victory of the Cross.
Pope Pius XI established the feast in 1925 with the encyclical Quas Primas. He called Christians to recognize Christ’s authority in personal life and in society, and to let His peace shape human relationships and public life.
