SERMON ON THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KINGMy dear friends,
Since the Old Testament and through the New Testament, Our Lord Jesus Christ has been proclaimed as the cornerstone of all History. That’s why everything in creation and redemption has been ordered to HIS PERSON since Before Christ (B.C.) to the current year of the Lord (Anno Domini), because History has an unique goal: HE MUST REIGN [1]. When Jesus Christ has here below reigned, then truthful progress and moral prosperity have also reigned in all domains of our spiritual and material welfare. If Jesus Christ were not to reign, then decadence shall overturn everything into decay and slavery of all sorts ruled by the Evil One, that is nothing else but the absence of Truth, Good, and Beauty. As the Prophet Isaiah said: “The nation and the kingdom that will not serve Thee shall perish; those nations will be utterly destroyed.” [2] So, let's have two considerations for today’s ceremony on the Feast of Christ the King: some of our duties as members of the Militant Church, and what is the sacramental grace of Confirmation in an active soldier of Christ.
1.- The Militant Church's duties are to proclaim the Social Kingdom of Christ the King in all public and private domains.
Our Catholic doctrine professes that History has one axis throughout the daily human events in the world, either in political and religious issues or in social and economic discrepancies, because all is centered on the Incarnation of the Son God, Our Lord Jesus Christ, with all its mysteries and consequences.
The whole temporal order of earthly societies renders submission to the redemptive work of the Savior of the world. For that purpose all ranks incorporated into the Militant Church must master over issues of the temporal human duties within societies and nations so that those believers in the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ should lead all its members into the eternal reign of the Triumphant Church in heaven. Indeed, to recapitulate all things in Christ [3] has its appointed time, and it will attain its final consummation when the number of the elect is completed, after the divine Chastisement due to the General Apostasy of nations and individuals. The Militant Church is therefore animated by a missionary purpose as a driving force for the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
Why? Because there is NO ETERNAL SALVATION in any other way but by Jesus Christ. What kind of redemptive work should have been possibly performed by those Catholic missionaries throughout the A.D. history of the world? How could the Apostles have obeyed the Blessed Lord’s command? “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the world.” [4]
More than ever, we have to learn how to work for the Social Kingship of Jesus Christ without suffocating nor weakening the Militant Church members, who are nowadays keeping a sound mind from a variety of Catholic families, in the midst of the godless attacks against the core of the nature of family, Civil society, and Catholic Church. We have to build while others want to destroy. These families and countries should resist as fortresses of Faith. Needless to say that God is infinitely providing us with sanctifying grace through the sacraments and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Traditional Latin Mass, in order to witness the vitality of the Militant Church.
On one hand, Man needs perceptible outward signs to adhere and communicate spiritual realities. Among other reasons, Our Lord wanted to link invisible graces to visible signs for us, because He took into account our human nature. Everything we are able to learn comes through our five physical senses. Hence, a Sacrament is a visible sign instituted by Jesus Christ Himself, in order to give grace by the merit of His death on the Cross. [5]
On the other hand, sacraments are symbols but NOT only symbols: They really enact in the soul what they show by outward signs; they signify what they work out. The Catholic Church in the course of centuries has never substituted other Sacraments, nor could she do so, since the Council of Trent teaches: “the seven Sacraments of the New Law were all instituted by Jesus Christ, and the Church has no power over ‘the substance of the Sacraments’ that is, over those things which, as is proved from the sources of divine revelation, Christ Our Lord Himself established to be kept as sacramental signs.” [6]
Although the Catholic Church cannot change the essential part of the sacraments, she could modify the accidental part for the ritual ceremonies. Yet eventual modifications must be done for the purpose of more clearly expressing the essence of the sacraments, either to facilitate their worthy reception for those who receive them or for the veneration of the sacraments according to the variety of places, times, and circuмstances.
However, we are suffering the revolutionary deceptions presented by the Second Vatican Council. Since the Concilar church theological innovations, a serious crisis concerning faith and morals has emerged within the Catholic Church. These modifications spread an inoculated virus of Modernism and Liberalism into Catholic doctrine, in particular the essential aspect of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the administration of the sacraments. In fact, the priestly formation, after the Council for the preparatory years of study, has been deliberately indoctrinated to such an extent that some priests have conceived some misunderstandings in the performance of the sacraments, which have also transpired at the celebration of the New Ordinary of the Mass inspired by a protestant mentality.
In addition, with their fascination in immanent phenomena, other priests have considered the sacraments like magical effects or tricks coming from Neo-pagan sentiments. So, the mind of most of the Novus Ordo priests and bishops are impregnated with such a tendency that they have gone along beyond common sense with the ecological green movement and climate change, installing a modality for inculturation from other religions. As a matter of fact, Pope Francis publicly engaged a way for worshiping Pachamama - an Andean goddess representing "Mother earth" - in the 2019 Amazon Synod [7], as well as Pope Leo XIV blessed a block of ice as a liturgical part for inculturation into the delirium of the Synodal Church. [8]
As a result of these nationalistic attitudes, some other Novus Ordo priests quite consciously refuse to enact a sign that gives grace, rather they desire to preside over a celebration for a humanitarian service. For them, sacraments are communitarian ceremonies to favor the union coming-from-man-to-end-in-man, as a purpose for this life. For instance, they will say that the principal effect of Baptism is the reception of a "baptized person" into a social congregation, for the union of one to another manifesting the joy of faith in offering the fruits of the earth produced by the working hands of MAN. All these exterior demonstrations are some consequences for a reception ceremony but they are not aligned with the Baptismal grace that a really baptized person unites his soul to almighty God by adoption and in taking away the Original Sin, in order to enable Catholics to become children of God and heirs of heaven.
Thus, far from making the sacramental action more readily understandable or facilitating its worthy reception, the new Rite of sacraments does otherwise. It relativizes the truths of Faith, reducing the sacred effects of sacramental graces. In this perspective, perhaps the sacraments administered according to the new Rite “might be in principle valid,” IF THE MATTER, FORM, AND INTENTION are performed by a validly ordained sacred minister. To cripple one of these latter essential elements might consequently generate a doubt for their reception. Certainly, it is not considered as a systematic doubt. It nevertheless is a serious and important positive doubt which must be considered both by the laity receiving sacraments and by the priests for a licit performance of the sacraments, and their validity.
Consequently, the Militant Church should consider with a right mind and understanding how to protect the treasure (Deposit) of the Catholic Faith in the Christ centered Kingdom of God on earth. Otherwise, it would alive once again a betrayal as Judas Iscariot did it against Our Lord. Indeed, to innovate a man centered religion in order to promote a syncretism of all religions, it would mean that Jesus Christ is not the only name by which men can be saved but is one way among others. Let's remember that there is not salvation outside of the Catholic Church.
That's why Archbishop Lefebvre expressed the need to cooperate with the grace of God, when he spoke in regards to his episcopal grace: "Even if at the moment the Blessed Lord is keeping quiet, one or another of these bishops will receive from the Holy Ghost the courage needed to arise in his turn. If my work is of God, He will guard it and use it for the good of the Church. Our Lord has promised us that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against her. This is why I persist, and if you wish to know the real reason for my persistence. At the hour of my death, when Our Lord asks me: What have you done with your episcopal and priestly grace? I do not want to hear from His lips these terrible words: You have also helped to destroy the Church along with the rest of them.” [9]
Needless to say that each one of us shall meet Our Lord Jesus Christ in our particular judgement, when He will be asking us a similar question: What have you done with your sacramental grace of Confirmation when you became a soldier of Christ for the Militant Church?
2.- What is the sacramental grace of Confirmation in an active soldier of Christ.
The Council of Trent teaches that the sacrament of Confirmation is a true and proper sacrament that gives the Holy Ghost in order to strengthen the baptized, enabling them to become soldiers of Christ and to be become perfect Christians, imprinting a indelible spiritual sign on the soul. This sacrament should not be repeated when it has been done with the rights essential elements. However, when there is an objective positive doubt, then after consideration, it could be re-administered under condition.
For Archbishop Lefebvre, following Tradition in the Catholic Church, there’s a positive doubt in using the new Ritual for the sacrament of Confirmation, as well as the Extreme Unction, when they are administered lacking the proper matter of OLIVE OIL for the validity of the sacrament. From “semper ubique et ab omnibus” - always everywhere and by all - the word OIL has designated in a proper sense, the liquid obtained from pressing OLIVES. From the Gospel [10], we learn that after the institution of the sacraments of Holy Orders and Holy Eucharist the night before the crucifixion, Our Lord Jesus Christ went to pray in excruciating agony to His heavenly Father at the garden of Gethsemane, the garden of olive trees. By His divine presence, He sanctified the matter of oil - pressing olives - to signify those graces generated by the anointing of our body when receiving specific sacraments, in particular of Confirmation and Extreme-Unction. In other words, as water is the matter for a valid Baptism because Our Lord sanctified it when He was baptized in the Jordan river by Saint John the Baptist, likewise He did at Gethsemane to sanctify the olive oil as the valid matter for the sacrament of Confirmation, as well as the Extreme Unction. [11] This is exactly what Tradition within the Catholic Church has always and everywhere believed and practiced, as Archbishop Lefebvre preached during the sermons for the consecration of the Holy Oils: Holy Chrism, Oil of the Catechumen, Oil for the sick. [12]
What has happened after Vatican II innovations in regards to the sacrament of Confirmation?
Firstly, the Congregation of Divine Worship and Sacraments issued a decree on December 3rd, 1970, authorizing the use of other sorts of oil extracted from any other vegetable, as a new MATTER for the administration of the sacrament of Confirmation, and others. In addition, in the 1983 New Code of Canon Law, Canon 847, is said: “In administering the Sacraments in which holy oils must be used, the minister must use oils pressed from olives, OR OTHER PLANTS… and consecrated or blessed recently by a bishop.” These new regulations gave no reason to justify that something, which has always been considered as most probably invalid, had suddenly become possible, and illicitly enforced. Regarding its doctrinal consideration, there was nothing to say about it. The decree only invoked a practical reason that Paul VI adopted two years later in the Apostolic Constitution [13] : “…. Since olive oil, which hitherto had been prescribed for the valid administration of the Sacrament, is unobtainable or difficult to obtain in some parts of the world, we decree at the request of numerous bishops that in the future, according to the circuмstances, oil of another sort could also be used, provided it were obtained from plants, inasmuch as this more closely resembles that matter indicated in Holy Scripture..”
Secondly, many bad translations or innovations of the sacramental words (FORM) could also provoke doubts in regards to the validity of the Sacraments. Thus, in the Sacrament of Confirmation the words: “I sign you with the sign of the holy Cross and confirm you with the Chrism of salvation in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” were changed, and instead of them some bishops say: “I send you into mission.” (afterwards there is a shaking of hands) or "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." Therefore, there is a serious doubt for the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation in receiving it with that expressing new way, in regards to the correct words.
Thirdly, in administering of the sacraments, the presence of the proper Matter and correct Form are not sufficient to make sure their validity. The minister must also intend to do the sacrament according to the intention of the Catholic Church, as she has always done in giving a sacrament -in eodem senso - with the same sense. The Problem then does not lie in the faith of the minister but in his intention. A priest who has lost the faith can still validly administer the sacraments, if he wants to be, at least in this regard, a minister of the Church, meaning that if he has the virtual intention of doing what the Church has always done. Otherwise, if he knowingly refuses to be an instrument of Christ and of the Church, then the sacrament is not valid.
Very many are the priests who, during their preparatory years of study, were deliberately indoctrinated, in such of an extent that they might have a defective understanding in performing the sacraments. In truth, the modernist point-of-view in considering the sacraments, like magical effects or tricks, is imbued in the mind not only of today’s priests but also in the core of people’s belief. Further, it cannot be excluded that, in the administration of sacraments, some Novus Ordo priests quite consciously refuse to enact a sign that gives grace, desiring merely to preside over a Community service or to fulfill a social function.
Conclusion:
Let us be encouraged to keep the teaching for the reception of the sacraments accordingly to the Sacred Tradition in the Catholic Church, which implies the proper MATTER instituted by Our Lord Himself, and the correct FORM needed for that purpose, and the honest INTENTION to do what the Catholic Church has always done, and will continue to do until the end of the world for the greater Glory of God and the eternal salvation of the largest number of souls. It is the duty of the Militant Church members to protect the three powers of the Catholic priesthood of teaching, ruling, and sanctifying. Therefore, in receiving the sacrament of Confirmation today, you are enrolled in this combat for the preservation of the Catholic sacraments.
In addition, we must also foster Catholic matrimonies willing to procreate a sound large family, God permitted, in quantity and quality, not only having children but also educating them for a Militant Christian life so that they should enjoy eternal life in the Kingdom of heaven. From these Catholic families's commitments, they will foster men and women convinced to portray the Social Doctrine of Christ the King, by firmly believing the Apostles Creed, and surely receiving the true sacraments, and for praying the Lord's Prayer at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. In this way, Catholic leaders could apply the Public Law of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This exactly is the main sense and the whole idea of the Christian social life witnessed per individuals, families and countries through Christian costumes, and by reflecting their daily moral attitude, as well as by keeping in mind what is eternal life.
Lastly, to restore all things in Christ shall certainly come at the time and in the measure according to the divine and redemptive plan of almighty God. These words we know! These truths we believe: Our Lord Jesus Christ must reign! Here-and-now and not only at the end of the world… While anti-Catholic people are destroying elsewhere, we must commit to the task of rebuilding Christian society. Let us place our great happiness on those priests who want to participate with zeal in the unbelievable task of working for the greater glory of God and the eternal salvation of souls. Therefore, let us not forget that the APOSTASY OF A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE MANIFEST THE HEROIC FIDELITY TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST OF A SMALL NUMBER OF BAPTIZED AND CONFIRMED MEN WHO ARE WILLING TO DO SO.
Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the evil spirits as Saint Paul said in his epistles. [14] A similar scenario was at the time of the prophet Elias in Israel, when God preserved only seven thousand men who did not bend their knee to Baal [3 Kings 19,18]. For us, let’s make sure not to bend our knee before the idol of the “cult of man.” [Rom. 11,4]
As Church History bears witness, every era in its period prepares an age of Faith to resurrect a faithful generation according to Tradition. In short, it is up to all of us to contribute to the Kingship of Christ by humbly receiving what the Catholic Church has always transmitted to us through the words of the successors of Saint Peter right up to the eve of the Second Vatican Council. It is the steadfast doctrine of the Catholic Faith that we receive free from any mental reservation.
This is the same combat for the Faith by which the Cristeros were executed for defending it during the religious persecution in Mexico from 1926 to 1929. For instance, Jose Sanchez del Rio, age 14, suffered mockeries against him for God's sake; after many cruel torments, he finally was for behind stabbed to dead, in front of his parents before midnight in the cemetery; he slowly traced a sign of the cross on the dirt with his finger, and filled it with his blood coming out of his mouth when all witnesses were able to nearly hear a whisper of his dying voice: VIVA CRISTO REY!
Dear friends, let’s ask to Jesus Christ the grace to become a MARTYR for the love of the cross in the Calvary so that we can be faithful to the Deposit of Faith transmitted by the Catholic Church still up to the 21st century, and as Archbishop Lefebvre - the prelate of the 20th century - transmitted to us, as always and everywhere and by all Catholics have believed and practiced in their lives until their last breadth. Let’s entrust in the Blessed Virgin Mary who resisted against all human incredulity at the foot of the Cross, with the immolation of her Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart. Certainly, Saint Anthony Mary Claret entrusted in her as Mediatrix of all graces, and he encouraged all of us Catholics to entrust in her with these words: God, wants it! She deserves it! And we need it!
Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
[1]. (1 Cor 15,25).
[2] (Isai. 60,12)
[3] (Eph. 1, 10)
[4] (Mat. 28.19)
[5] Cat. Council of Trent pp 143
[6] Council of Trent 4th session
[7] Amazon Synod, October 4, 2019 at the Vatican gardens
[8] Laudato Si’Movement, Castelgandolfo, October 3, 2025
[9] Arch. Lefebvre, Open Letter, last words
[10] Matt. 26, 36
[11] De Sacramentis, S. T.
[11] Arch Lefebvre, Chrismale Mass sermon, Ecône, April 16, 1981
[12] + February 10, 1928 in Sahuayo, Michoacan, Mexico
[13] Apostolic Constitution Sacram Unctionem Infirmorum, November 30, 1972
[14] Ephesians. 6, 12
Topic: Sermon on the Feast of Christ the King - Bp. Zendejas (Read 2616 times)