Extract from the Sermon of Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the SSPX, for the feast of Candlemas, Feb 2nd (2012)

"The Society of St. Pius X has been founded by the Church and in the Church, and we say this Society continues to exist, despite the fact that there is a pretense that it does not exist; that it was suppressed in 1976 (but obviously with total disrespect of the laws of the Church itself). And that's why we continue. And our dear Founder insisted many, many times on the importance of this existence of the Society. And I think, as time evolves, we must keep this in mind -- and it is very important that we keep this Catholic Spirit.

We are not an independent group. Even if we are fighting with Rome, we are still, so to say, with Rome. We are fighting with Rome; or, if you want, against Rome, and at the same time with Rome. And we claim and continue to say, we are Catholic. We want to stay Catholic. Many times I say to Rome, you try to kick us out. And we see it would be much easier for us to be out. We would have many more advantages. You would treat us much better! Look at the Protestants, how they open the churches to them. To us, they close them. And we say we don't care. We do things in front of God. We suffer from the Church, fine. We don't like that, of course. But we ought to stay there in the truth. And we have to maintain that we do belong to the Church. We are Catholics. We want to be and we want to stay Catholic, and it is very important to maintain that."

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Bishop Williamson Saying Mass in St. Louis, Missouri (March 2011)

The following photos of His Grace saying the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass are taken from True Restoration.  Please see their album for more photos from this Mass.  If you are not already subscribed, His Grace publishes a weekly column delivered via email called Dinoscopus.  To learn more and subscribe for free, please see Dinoscopus.

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Angelus Press 2012 Conference: October 19-21

As reported on the SSPX.ORG website:

On the weekend of October 19 through 21, we will host our third annual Angelus Press Conference, with this year's theme on the Papacy. Located in the heart of the country, our annual conference in Kansas City draws not only some of the best thinkers and speakers in the Catholic world, but also hundreds of fellow Catholics eager to enjoy a weekend of doctrinal, theological, historical, and practical talks, but also a weekend of friendship and camaraderie.

We are pleased to announce that His Excellency, Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X, will be this year's keynote speaker and will also offer a Pontifical High Mass on the Sunday of the conference.

I will likely be in attendance at this year's Conference.   Recall that last year's Conference on the Kingship of Christ featured a Pontifical High Mass said by His Excellency Bishop Tissier.  Here are some of the photos from that Mass:

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Commemoration of Ss. Faustinus and Jovita

Simple (1955 Calendar): February 15

Today is the Commemoration of Ss. Faustinus and Jovita, martyrs.  While the modernists in 1969 suppressed the veneration of these saints for historically unsound reasons (along with an obvious departure from the Faith passed down through the Traditions of the Church), traditional Catholics on this day recall their heroic martyrdom.

Born to the nobility in 2nd century Italy, St. Jovita was the younger brother of Saint Faustinus. St. Jovita was an ordained deacon and a zealous preacher in Brescia, Milan, Rome, and Naples. St. Faustinus was a priest.  Under the persecution of Emperor Hadrian, Ss. Jovita and Faustinus were condemned to die for adherence to the Catholic Faith. 

The two brothers were sent to the amphitheater to be devoured by lions, but four of those came out and lay down at their feet. They were left without food in a dark jail cell, but Angels brought them strength and joy for new combats. The flames of a huge fire respected them, and a large number of spectators were converted at the sight. Finally sentenced to decapitation, they knelt down and received the death blow.  Finally in the Year of Our Lord 120, the brothers were beheaded for the Faith of Christ and died as martyrs.  They have been venerated widely since ancient times.

The Roman Martyrology (as read at the Office of Prime) declares of them:

At Brescia, in the time of Emperor Adrian, the birthday of the holy martyrs Faustinus and Jovita, who received the triumphant crown of martyrdom after many glorious combats for the faith of Christ. 

Prayer:

We are made happy, O God, by the annual feast of Your holy martyrs Faustinus and Jovita. As we joyously remember the merits of these saints, may we also be inspired by their example. Through Our Lord...

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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New Blog Banner Unveiled

Today I'm pleased to unveil this new blog banner in honor of the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother.  The banner also displays the latin phrase "Salus animarum, suprema lex" which translates to: "The Salvation of Souls is the Supreme Law."

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St. Valentine's Day Prayer & History

Simple (1955 Calendar): February 14

Happy St. Valentines Day to all!

On the Traditional Catholic Calendars, today is a day to Commemorate St. Valentine, priest and martyr.

Today, although many don't realize it, St. Valentine's Day is based on the life of St. Valentine, a Roman martyr who was beheaded in c. 269-273 AD. Emperor Claudius II declared that unmarried men were potential soldiers, so he outlawed marriage. However, St. Valentine abhorred his outrageous action and continued to marry young couples. Claudius attempted to convert St. Valentine to paganism, but St. Valentine resisted and attempted to bring Claudius to the Church and Jesus Christ. For this, the Emperor had St. Valentine beheaded.

In prison, he helped the imprisoned soon-to-be martyrs. The jailer saw that Valentine was a man of learning, so he brought his daughter, Julia, to Valentine for lessons. Julia was a young girl, who had been blind since her birth. During the lessons, St. Valentine would read to her about the history of Rome. And, he taught her about God. The following is an account of St. Valentine that was emailed to me:

"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia asked one day.

"Yes, my child, He hears each one."

"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"

"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said.

"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe! I do!" She knelt and grasped his hand.

They sat quietly together, each praying. Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant, Julia screamed, "Valentinus, I can see! I can see!"

"Praise be to God!" Valentinus exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.

On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God. He signed it, "From your Valentine." His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On each February 14, Saint Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world."

After her healing, the jailer too was converted to Christianity.

Prayer:

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God: that we, who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Valentine, Thy Martyr, may, through his intercession, be strengthened in the love of Thy name. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Returned From SSPX Retreat

 Our Lady Immaculate Church (SSPX), Oak Park, IL

I have just returned from my week-long retreat at the SSPX Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center in Phoenix, Arizona.  The time was one of great consolation and some of the greatest graces that I have yet received. 

The retreat took place from February 6 - 11th although most of us arrived on Sunday evening prior.  Starting Monday morning we were fed three excellent meals a day and we lived in humble, though still very comfortable conditions.  The 80 degree weather certainly helped the experience (since I'm always a fan of escaping the 30 degree weather in Chicago).

Each day consisted of rising at 6:15 with optional Prime at 6:45.  Morning prayers followed at 7:00 AM and Mass was usually said at 7:30 (except for a special High Mass Wednesday evening said after each of us made our general Confessions in the morning).  The day consisted of approximately 5 - 6 conferences using the St. Ignatian model.  Each conference helped explain the mysteries of the Ignatian Spiritual exercises, and we then meditated on the mysteries for 20 minutes.  There was a daily visit to the Blessed Sacrament as well.  Compline was prayed together each evening at 8:30 PM and then all returned to their rooms.

The time was kept in prayerful silence and each of us maintained a contemplative and prayerful state of soul.  Yet even in the silence, one could feel the charity towards our neighbor.  Truly, this is how traditional communities like the Benedictines in Silver City live! With the Spiritual Exercises and frequent prayers - along with daily reception of the Most Holy Sacrament - it was one of the greatest sources of graces in my life.  In our general confessions, as we confessed all of the sins of our lives, I could not help but feel unbelievably sorrowful and humble in the presence of Almighty God.  Our Lord has given us through His Incarnation, Life, Passion, and Death an inexpressable and unrepayable model and source of grace.  I have updated my 2012 Catholic Resolutions in light of my retreat.

If you have never attended an Ignatian Retreat, you simply must attend one of these.  You can be certain that the Sacraments of the SSPX are licit and valid (unlike those in the Novus Ordo) and you can also be certain that they maintain true doctrine (unlike so-called "indult" Traditional Masses that still teach religious liberty, ecumenism, and other false doctrines).

And I must also mention that Bishop Fellay even joined us for lunch on Monday.  He was in town for Confirmations the previous day.  What an example of grace!  Just his very presence was a source of hope for the Church.  The Church is in Her passion.  She is suffering even to this day unlike anything She has ever suffered and few remain faithful to her.  Yet, just like our Lord in His Passion, those around us don't see the divinity in the suffering.  Few people on Calvary saw in the Dying Savior the Divinity of the Second Person of the Godhead.  And few today see through the modernist Church and her sins to the Catholic Church founded by Christ and still keeping the True Faith and the True Mass.

Deo Gratias for the SSPX!  Sign up for a retreat and/or please get a copy of "Christian Warfare."  This was the copy of the book that we used for all the prayers and Spiritual Exercises for the week.

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Liturgical Changes for Septuagesima

Starting with First Vespers of Septuagesima Sunday on Saturday evening, the Alleluia now ceases to be said until we proclaim our Lord's resurrection! At first Vespers of Septuagesima Sunday, two alleluias are added to the closing verse of Benedicamus Domino and its response, Deo gratias, as during the Easter Octave. Starting with Compline, the word Alleluia is no longer said until the Easter Vigil and the proclamation of the Lord's Resurrection!
 

Likewise, violet vestments are worn, except on feasts, from Septuagesima Sunday until Holy Thursday. As during Advent and Lent, the Gloria and Te Deum are no longer said on Sundays. The readings at Matins for this week are the first few chapters of Genesis, telling of the creation of the world, of Adam and Eve, the fall of man and resulting expulsion from the Garden of Eden, and the story of Cain and Abel.

In the following weeks before and during Lent, the readings continue to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. The Gospel reading for Septuagesima week is the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)

Click here for Septuagesima Sunday's Mass Propers.

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Psalm 115: The Prayer of Offering of the Chalice

I have believed, therefore have I spoken; but I have been humbled exceedingly.I said in my excess: Every man is a liar. What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things he hath rendered unto me? I will take the chalice of salvation; and I will call upon the name of the Lord. [This prayer is prayed at the Traditional Latin Mass as the priest raises the Chalice up in offering to God immediately after the water and wine have been comingled] I will pay my vows to the Lord before all his people: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

O Lord, for I am thy servant: I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid. Thou hast broken my bonds: I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his people: In the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.

Psalm 115

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Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center February 5 - 11

In the past I have mentioned the need for donations to help finish the construction of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Arizona.  Well, they are also home to a wonderful Ignatian Retreat House.  I will be going on the silent 5 day retreat and gone from February 5th through the 11th.  Please keep me in your prayers!



More information on the retreats through the retreat house are available here: Retreats through the SSPX.



If you would like for me to pray for your intentions during this time, please either comment below with your intentions or email them to me no later than Saturday.  I will bring all of these intentions with me and keep them in prayer.

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