I went to Mass with great expectations and excitement - I admit, I am a Cathogeek and feasts get me all worked up. I learned that today's feast - Christ the King - was instituted in 1925. Well, I thought, the same year that my father was born and he was the man who gave me the greatest gift of my Catholic faith. I love coincidences like that.
At Mass today, a baby - oh, heavens, little Tessa Jane was no more than a month old - was Baptized. Naked, she was gently submerged into the (pre-warmed) waters of our font by Fr. Chris. The look on her face was comical but she didn't cry. I did. I get verklempt at scenes of such beauty.
And every year on Christ the King, I think of lBessed Miguel Pro. How can you not? A Jesuit priest who went "underground" during Mexico's dark days of religious persecution under Presidente Calles, to serve the people; he was also known for his humor and wit. He was executed by the Mexican government for his faith, and at the moment before the bullets tore into him, stretched out his arms and yelled, "Viva Cristo Rey!" ("Long live Christ the King!") Like a boss, Miguelito, like a boss!
In fact, I think I'll close with something he wrote:
Does our life become from day to day more painful, more oppressive, more replete with afflictions? Blessed be He a thousand times who desires it so. If life be harder, love makes it also stronger, and only this love, grounded on suffering, can carry the Cross of my Lord Jesus Christ. Love without egotism, without relying on self, but enkindling in the depth of the heart an ardent thirst to love and suffer for all those around us: a thirst that neither misfortune nor contempt can extinguish...
I believe, O Lord; but strengthen my faith... Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love. Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence. Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee. Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life.
4 comments:
You have often made me laugh till I cried; today you just made me cry...this was truly beautiful. From one Catholgeek to another...thank you my sistah.
a quick question that I have wondered about for a long time, and perhaps your buddy the Crescat would be the one to ask, but since you brought it up in your blog I'll ask you. At his execution Bl. Migueal Pro proclaimed "Viva Cristo Rey!", and I always see this translated as "Long live Christ the King"...limited Spanish knowledge that I have, I just don't see a descriptor associated with the verb. Is it not more accurate (and indeed more divinely noble) to translate it as, "Christ the King Lives!"?...always been curious about this...keep forgetting to ask someone.
Have a blessed and graced time with your brother....blessed Thanksgiving to you.
Susan, "Vive Cristo Rey" would be "Christ the King lives!" "Viva" is the idiom for "Long live!"
And a blessed Thanksgiving to you!
thank you for clearing that up for me.
We are so blessed in our parish here in Indiana. For the Feast of Christ the King we had a magnificent vespers service, with all the bells, smells, trumpets,etc. We then took Our Lord to the streets in a wonderful Eucharistic procession, during which Father blessed the four corners of the earth with the Eucharist in the monstrance. Then on to a wonderful feast in the school gym, with music, great food and dancing. Much toasting with wine to our King! Viva Christo Rey was shouted for all to hear!
I hope our children will remember these Catholic celebrations all of their lives. AS Hilaire Belloc said: Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine, There is laughter and dancing and good red wine, At least I've always found it so, Benedicamus Domino!
May it always be thus!
PS My 5 year old grandson and I won the dance contest!! Huge chocolate bars were the prize!!
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