Planning for the Christ the King celebration started about a month before the actual event. Our new Parish priest picked our community to host the event. He decided to hold the event on a Saturday (contrary to previous celebrations wherein all activities happen on the Feast day itself) as to not disrupt the Sunday services. In addition, he wanted to have 3 stops along the procession route for prayers and reflections which previously were done after the image was enthroned in the Parish altar.
Our Lady of Fatima Chapel hosts the Parish's Celebration of Christ the King
This is the altar decoration I did for the chapel. It took me about 4 hours to finish the whole arrangement, it was tiring but I was so inspired that I loved every minute of it especially using the "atsuete." Initially I was planning not to enthrone the image in the chapel, instead place it on the carroza all throughout the vigil but the chapel coordinators requested otherwise. The next day, to my surprise the Parish Priest, after the Holy Mass (to kick-off the event), instructed to move the image at the entrance of the chapel because he was afraid the image will distract the faithful during the day-long vigil to the Blessed Sacrament (or divide the attention, from the body of Christ in the monstrance to the representation of Christ dressed as King).
Procession in Honor of Christ the King
During the meeting with our community's coordinators, it was decided to have a "harvest" theme thus the stops (or altares) will have to be decorated with produce similar to fiesta's in the province. The carroza of the image was decorated the same way of course. The vigil finished early so by the time we arrived in the chapel, the procession was already moving, just in the nick of time.
Christus Rex. Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriae
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory,
deliver the souls of all the faithful departed
from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit;
deliver them out of the lion's mouth,
lest hell should swallow them up,
lest they fall into the outer darkness;
but let Thy standard-bearer, Saint Michael,
bring them back into Thy holy light,
which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed. Amen.
First Stop. Almighty and everlasting God, Who in Thy beloved Son, the King of the whole world, hast willed to restore all things, mercifully grant that all the kindreds of the nations that are divided by the wound of sin, may be brought under the sweet yoke of His rule. Who liveth and reigneth with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
O Lord our God, You alone are the Most Holy King and Ruler of all nations.
We pray to You, Lord, in the great expectation of receiving from You,
Forgive us, O Sovereign King, our sins against you.
Jesus, You are a King of Mercy.
We have deserved Your Just Judgment
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us.
We trust in Your Great Mercy.
O most awe-inspiring King, we bow before You and pray;
May Your Reign, Your Kingdom, be recognized on earth.
O Divine King, mercy, peace, justice and all good things.
Protect, O Lord our King, our families and the land of our birth.
Guard us we pray Most Faithful One.
Protect us from our enemies and from Your Just Judgment
The Lord's Kingship, from being the sacrificial lamb to glorified King of Heaven featuring SSF's Paciencia.
Before the first stop ended, the night has blanketed the whole area. In previous years, the procession would have made its way back to the Parish by this time. I was totally unprepared for this. Thanks to my father and uncle who worked swiftly to add a spotlight, the day was saved.
Second Stop. Almighty and everlasting God, Who has willed to renew all things through Your beloved son, the King of the Universe, grant in Your kindness that all the families of the nations, divided by the wound of sin, may submit to Your most gentle authority. Through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
Third Stop. Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus, we renew our pledge of love and loyalty to You. Keep us always close to Your loving Heart and to the most pure Heart of Your Mother. May we love one another more and more each day, forgiving each other's faults as You forgive us our sins. Teach us to see You in the members of our family and those we meet outside our home, and to love them as you love them, especially the poor and the oppressed, that we may be instrumental in bringing about justice and peace.
To the Parish
Please help us to carry our cross daily out of love for You, and to strengthen this love by frequent Mass and Communion. Thank You, dear Jesus, King and Friend of our family, for all the blessings of this day. Protect us and all families during this night. Help us so to live that we may all get to heaven.
Iesu Rex admirabilis
O Jesus, King most wonderful!
Thou Conqueror renowned!
Thou Sweetness most ineffable!
in whom all joys are found!
When once Thou visitest the heart,
then truth begins to shine;
then earthly vanities depart;
then kindles love divine.
O Jesu! Light of all below!
Thou font of life and fire!
surpassing all the joys we know,
and all we can desire.
May every heart confess Thy name,
and ever Thee adore;
and seeking Thee, itself inflame
to seek Thee more and more.
Thee may our tongues for ever bless;
Thee may we love alone;
and ever in out lives express
the image of Thine own. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
St. Joseph, pray for us!
Our Guardian Angels, pray for us!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
St. Joseph, pray for us!
Our Guardian Angels, pray for us!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
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