Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King (iesu Dulcissime, Redemptor)

Most sweet Jesus,
Redeemer of the human race,
look down upon us humbly prostrate before You.
We are Yours, and Yours we wish to be;
but to be more surely united with You,
behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today
to Your Most Sacred Heart.

Many indeed have never known You;
many, too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You.
Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus,
and draw them to your Sacred Heart.

Be King, O Lord,
not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You,
but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You;
grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house,
lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions,
or whom discord keeps aloof,
and call them back to the harbor of truth
and the unity of faith,
so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom
and immunity from harm;
give tranquility of order to all nations;
make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry:
Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation;
to it be glory and honoUr for ever.

Amen.

(Source: Enchiridion of Indulgences , June 29, 1968. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King. A plenary indulgence is granted, if it is recited publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ King.)

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The background of Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King (iesu Dulcissime, Redemptor)

The Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King is a Catholic prayer that acknowledges Jesus Christ as the King of the universe and seeks His mercy and guidance for all people. The origin of this prayer is not clear, but it has been a part of Catholic devotion for many years.

The prayer is a way for Catholics to express their faith in Christ and ask for His blessings on all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background. It acknowledges Christ’s authority over all creation and asks for His protection and guidance for humanity.

The prayer was notably recited in Rome in 1925 during a Eucharistic congress. Pope Pius XI named Christ the King that year and instituted the feast of Christ the King as a way to acknowledge Christ’s sovereign authority over all things.

The prayer highlights the idea of Christ’s kingship and the need for humanity to submit to His authority. It expresses the desire to live in union with Christ and to follow His teachings, which are rooted in love, mercy, and justice.

Today, the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King remains an important prayer for Catholics. It is a way for believers to acknowledge Christ’s authority over all things and to ask for His blessings on all people. It reminds us of the importance of living in union with Christ and of following His teachings, which lead us to eternal life.