AETERNA IMAGO ALTISSIMI

«AETERNA IMAGO ALTISSIMI». - Hymn of the Roman Breviary at Matins for the feast of Christ the King. Its author is Fr. Vittorio Genovesi S. J., who, adapting himself to the theological and moral meaning of the feast and to the ideas of Pius XI’s encyclical Quas primas, invites all classes of humanity to render their homage and submission to Christ, king of the ages, ruler of minds and hearts (strophes 1-2). He acquired this universal dominion through the Redemption, by which he redeemed men from the slavery of the devil (strophes 3-4); therefore, gratefully and obediently, above all the leaders of nations, magistrates, and teachers must confess him publicly through their manner of governing, judging, and teaching, just as every man must place his happiness and pride in observing, before all else, the laws of the Lord (strophes 5-6).