Act of Homage to Christ, our God
and our King
O sweet Saviour and Redeemer of
mankind, Jesus Christ, who in the impenetrable designs of thine infinite wisdom
bearest with the audacity of the impious and sufferest the violence of the wicked,
reserving to thyself the sovereign right of judging the impious man and his
perverse works, turn thy merciful regard upon thy children, who in the
blindness of their hearts have turned from Thee in rebellion. With the eyes of
a Father, and with the power of the sovereign King of the Universe, stretch
forth thy hand to bless and regenerate modern society, which is rebelliously
turning its back upon Thee, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Be moved to
compassion for thy people, whom Thou hast purchased with thy Blood, regenerated
with thy grace, and exalted with thy love. Thou hast given them true liberty,
Thou hast called them to the inheritance of thy Father, Thou hast numbered them
among thy brethren; but in the delirium of their rebellion they have preferred
the slavery of Satan, and live in abject misery, without joy, without hope.
O my Lord Jesus Christ, King of
eternal glory, restorer of all things in heaven and on earth, supreme and
omnipotent, who with infinite wisdom reunitest at thy feet things scattered and
dispersed; enlighten the Kings of the earth, the rulers of nations; instill thy
spirit into all civil institutions, into every form of government, into laws
and armies; grant that all the powers of earth may recognize in Thee the
majesty of the eternal God, the source from which all authority is derived; illuminate
the nations that they may understand that Thou art the origin of rights and
duties, that it is through Thee that the Kings of the earth rule, and that it
is to Thee that Kings and people alike owe obedience.
O most sweet Jesus, who hast
deigned to descend into this valley of tears, and to dwell with us, suffering
and dying for the salvation of us sinners, and who in an excess of charity hast
set up thy abode in the midst of men, hidden under the sacramental species, and
who in the fullness of the Godhead, corporally present in our tabernacles,
makest thyself the food and life of our souls; oh, receive the humble but
sincere and profound homage of our hearts, offered in reparation for the
falling away of the rebellious. We firmly believe in Thee and all that the
faith infused into our hearts by the Holy Spirit has revealed to us about Thee.
We see in Thee the beginning and the end of all existing things, we adore Thee as
the one true God, we wish to live only for Thee and in thy service. Do Thou, O
Lord, save our brethren, reunite the scattered members of modern society gone
astray, that we as brethren may together be one with Thee, as Thou art one with
thy Father in Heaven. May thy will be done by all and in everything. May thy
Majesty shine forth on the throne of thy earthly dominion, and the world confess
Thee to be the true Son of God, through whom all things were created.
O Jesus, God of love, set free
from his chains thy Vicar, the successor of Peter; re-establish him in the
exercise of that liberty which Thou thyself didst give him, together with the
supreme keys, that he might effectually carry on thy work of regenerating
mankind; and so hasten on that longed-for day, in which Thou wilt be glorified
by the return of Society to its paternal home. Gather together, O King of the
nations, the sheep and the lambs under the care of the one shepherd. O Lord, do
not abandon us; we are thy children, we love Thee; recognize us still as thy
children, unworthy, yet ever thine; save us, and together with us, save Kings,
Rulers, and Nations. Amen.
(Leo XIII, February 15, 1895)
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