St. George Preca encouraged us to greet Jesus with “Hail, King of Kings” whenever we are in front of the Blessed Sacrament, as a way to counteract the mockery He endured from the soldiers who ridiculed Him as the King of the Jews.
The Roman soldiers, in their derision, knelt before Christ and said, “Hail, O King of the Jews!” (Ave, Rex Judaeorum!). Therefore, it is fitting for Christians to honor and worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament by proclaiming, “Hail, O King of Kings!” (Ave, Rex regum!) before genuflecting.
This salutation is reserved for the Divinity. Jesus Christ is the true and living God, the universal sovereign, even over those who do not recognize Him as such. Let us remember to salute Jesus with Ave, Rex regum! every time we pass by a church or are in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
