Do You Attend An FSSP Parish?

[Megan7]

Great thread!

Please keep the ideas coming!
Thank you.

 

[kbarr82]

I would love to but I know of none in the Diocese of Des Moines, which has only one celebration of the Tridentine Mass in the entire Diocese. With what many of our newer parish buildings look like, I don’t know what, if any, real demand or desire exists for the EF among our faithful. Unfortunately child care obligations preclude me from attending this Mass. I have been entertaining the idea of asking around to see if there would be a desire for the Latin Mass at my parish, which is quite large. The liturgy leaves a lot to be desired. It is very “contemporary.” However if there is a level of interest, say 15-20 people, I see no reason why I couldn’t suggest a Latin Mass per the guidelines of Summorum Pontificum, as there are priests in our diocese who know it. Any ideas?

 

[ConservativeOne]

Has anyone learned the whereabouts of Fr. Benoit Guichard? I found myself directed here (after some absence) while researching where he might be. Not sure if he moved to France or Switzerland but, apparently, posters here are wondering same.

And, yes, I’ve attended FSSP parish - INSPIRING to the heart, mind and soul - whether it’s Mass, a prayer service or just being there in the Silence / Presence of The Most Blessed Sacrament.

 

[cowboytogo]

I attend St. Anne’s in San Diego. The last I heard of Father he was pastoring somewhere. I cannot remember where. You might want to contact the FSSP.

 

[corsair]

Lordy, Lordy, this post is 5 years old. Lots have changed since I first posted here. Archbishops have changed. Priests have been moved around, More TLM’s are available and of course more controversies.

I now attend FSSP every Sunday; there is a low Mass in Tacoma that I attend, with an occasional trip to Seattle for North American Martyr’s.

Now with the Dominican’s in Portland doing more Dominican Rite Masses, things are getting exciting. Archbishop Sample is a bright spot for the pacific northwest.

 

[lifllelovepeace]

I think there would be a slight problem with the microphone thing, since the rubrics for hand gestures/placement, etc. are very strict in the EF. A priest couldn’t be constantly fumbling with a microphone switch to turn it on/off. There are times where the priest might not be heard by the congregation, but he is speaking audibly - the rubrics just call for that part to be spoken in a low voice. Also, once the priest has consecrated the Host, he never parts his index fingers and thumbs until after communion and the purification of the sacred vessels- this would make the administration of communion very distracting to hear him repetetively say to each communicant “Corpus domini nostri Iesu Christi custodiat animam tuam ad vitam aeternam.”

As for my experience - I have attended an FSSP mass in Sacramento for over a decade. First it was said in a couple local parishes under the indult (the mass was inserted inbetween other OF masses. Eventually, we were able to raise enough money to purchase an old abandoned Lutheran church and retrofit it to make it a traditional Catholic structure. The new church is exclusively EF, and I must say every mass I attend is beautiful (be it a low or a high mass). The parishoners are very repecful and reverent during mass (no chit chatting/deisrespectful attire). There are lots of altar boys (as a previous poster mentioned) The Choir is excellent. I feel that there is a strong community bond, and I felt I was welcomed right away - I didn’t have any difficulties getting to know people or establish friendships. I would say there are probably some “cliquish” groups, but what parish doesn’t have that? The priests are very orthodox, and while some might consider their homilies “harsh” I would counter that most (if not all) of the time, they are well grounded, and their desire is only for the salvation of their parishoners.

I had the great fortune of being married by Rev. John Berg (the current Superior General) when he was in Sacramento. (He also instructed my wife (then fiance) in catechesis for her conversion to the faith from the Baptist denomination, and also administered her First Holy Communion in the Church), batpized one of my children and administered last rights/confirmation to another of my children who passed away a few weeks after birth.
The celebration of the Sacraments is extraordinary (in that they are so beautiful and full of prayers and ceremonies no longer practiced in the OF.)

I would reccomend FSSP masses to anyone, as they definitely help convey the sense of awe that should be present at the Mass, and there is much less (if any) worry about liturgical abuses or unorthodox teaching coming from the pulpit.
It seems to me that the people who attend mass with me try to make being Catholic and participating in the Church a truly full time thing - there are constant events, catechism classes, Latin classes, retreats, etc. for the parishoners. There is a real sense that everyone there desires to keep improving and learning their faith, rather than being satisfied with where they are currently. It is a wonderful experience.

Slightly irrelevant but you wouldn’t happen to be attending the church of St. Stephan the First Martyr in Sacramento?

I attended there once during my conversion to Catholicism and plan to resume attending once I have the means of transportation to get there on Sundays.

 

[AllSeasons]

What are these parishes like?

I’ve been to FSSP, Institute of Christ the King, and diocesan Latin Masses. They all follow the 1962 missal, obviously, so as far as the liturgy goes, they’re all the same. I’ve been to a few FSSP Masses, and they’re all very reverent. The congregation is also very reverent. Is there anything specific you wanted to know?