Prayers in Honor of Christ the King

[Stone]

Hymn: Te saeculorum Principem
from Vespers for the Feast of Christ the King

Thee, Christ, we hail the nations' King;
Confess Thy right Thy realm to find
Within the hearts of all mankind.
The hate-swayed mob cries, pride-enticed,
They will not have Thy kingdom, Christ;

But we exultant round Thy throne
Thy reign o'er all creation own,
O Christ, our Prince, that bringest peace,
Let every rebel impulse cease,
And gather into Thy one fold
The wanderers whom Thy love doth hold,

For this Thine arms wide-stretched in plea
Hung bleeding on the atoning Tree;
For this the spear's revealing dart
Laid bare Thy love-enflamed Heart.
For this Thou dost Thy glory hide,
Outpouring from Thy pierced side

The riches of Thy love divine
Beneath the veils of bread and wine.
May realms and they that rule them vie
With solemn rites to raise thee high:
May laws and arts Thy servants be,
All life be sanctified for Thee.

Their kingly gear and royal state
Kings to their King shall consecrate;
Subjects their all before Thee lay
In service of Thy gentle sway,
Jesu, to Thee, beneath whose sway
All earth shall bow, all praise we pay;

With Father and with Spirit be
All glory Thine eternally. Amen