Collecta

This collect, composed for Pius XI's institution of the feast (1925), petitions the Father who 'in dilecto Filio tuo, universorum Rege, omnia instaurare voluisti' (in thy beloved Son, King of all creation, hast willed to restore all things). The verb 'instaurare' (to restore, renew, re-establish) echoes Ephesians 1:10 - the recapitulation of all things in Christ. The petition asks that 'cunctae familiae Gentium, peccati vulnere disgregatae' (all families of nations, scattered by the wound of sin) may be brought 'ejus suavissimo subdantur imperio' (under his most sweet yoke). The 'wound of sin' causing human division recalls the post-Babel scattering, which Christ's kingship reverses. The 'suavissimum imperium' (most sweet empire) distinguishes Christ's rule from tyranny: His yoke is easy, His burden light.