The Kingship of Christ

Those who will have the grace to reign in the kingdom of heaven will see the realisation of everything that they desire in heaven and on earth, and nothing that they do not want will be realised in heaven or on earth. The love which will unite God with those who will live there, and the latter among themselves, will be such that all will love one another as themselves, and all will love God more than themselves.

From a letter of Anselm to Hugh the Recluse

Today we celebrate the Festival of the Kingship of Christ on the last Sunday of the church’s year before we begin Advent next Sunday. Later in the week, as a community, we will celebrate the lesser festivals of St Columbanus, Bishop & Abbot of Down diocese on the 23rd, and St Colman of Cloyne diocese on the 24th.

We pray for all religious leaders on the island of Ireland, especially

• in the Church of Ireland
  • the Bishop of Down & Dromore, The Rt Rev David McClay,
  • the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross, The Rt Rev Dr Paul Colton.
• in the Roman Catholic Church
  • the Bishop of Down & Connor, The Most Rev Noel Treanor,
  • and the Bishop of Cloyne, The Most Rev William Crean

We pray for the Rev Canon Richard Peers as he is collated and installed as Dean of Llandaff this afternoon.

St Columbanus, Bishop & Abbot, Down Diocese, 615

From Leinster, Columbanus went to Bangor where he spent many years in monastic life there with St Comgall. Then, about the year 590, he set out with 12 companions for France (Gaul). He is counted as the most important of the Irish Missionaries who went out “into voluntary exile” to evangelise the European continent. Travelling through France, Germany and Switzerland, he finally settled at Bobbio in north Italy. His rule was a strict one and was largely superseded by
the rule of St Benedict later in Bobbio’s monastery, which he founded, is famous for its library and insular (Irish style) biblical manuscripts.

St Colman, Cloyne diocese, 601

There are some hundreds of saints called Colman. The Colman who built the first church at Cloyne in Co. Cork was ordained late in life at the age of 50. He was influenced by Brendan the Navigator as he searched for his vocation. Brendan called him a column or pillar (columna) of the church and also a dove (columba).

Collect of the Kingship of Christ

Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.