Feast of Christ the King – Filipino Community Barcelona 2025
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe—more commonly known as the Feast of Christ the King or Christ the King Sunday—was celebrated yesterday, Sunday, November 23, 2025, by the Catholic Church and many other Christian denominations. This feast marks the conclusion of the liturgical year, inviting the faithful to reflect on the kingship of Christ before entering Advent.
Instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, the feast emerged as a response to the growing influence of secularism, atheism, and nationalism that sought to push Christ out of public life. In 1969, Pope Paul VI moved the celebration to the final Sunday of the liturgical year to emphasize its eschatological meaning—the anticipation of Christ’s return in glory. Today, it is observed across various Christian traditions, including the Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist churches.
In Barcelona, Spain, the Filipino community at San Agustín Church (Parroquia de la Comunidad Filipina) joined the universal Church in this celebration. The evening Mass at 6 PM featured a Eucharistic procession, with Fr. Lino carrying the monstrance as the Filipino faithful, led by the Immanuel Choir, sang the triumphant hymn Christus Vincit. The solemnity of the moment filled the church with devotion and joy.
During the same Mass, newly selected officers of the parish’s different Filipino organizations and ministry groups also took their oath. Guided by Fr. Lino, they made their formal and heartfelt vow to assume the responsibilities entrusted to them.
The feast celebrates the kingship of Christ—the King whose throne is not a lavish palace adorned with wealth, but the cross; the King who possesses all richness yet chooses humility, service, and sacrifice. In his homily, Fr. Lino emphasized Jesus’ life of self-giving love and reminded the faithful that true Christian living flows from that same spirit of humility and purity of heart. He called on the community to follow their King who conquers, who reigns, and who commands not through force, but through love.
Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat!
By Felix Capili
