I want to become an SSPX Priest

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Richard_James

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I embrace the Latin Mass and find it to be the orthodox style of the Holy Sacrifice. I feel a strong vocation to the priesthood. I just wanted to know do any dioceases reject an SSPX priest? And is there any difference between a SSPX priest and any other priest?
 
Richard_James said:
I embrace the Latin Mass and find it to be the orthodox style of the Holy Sacrifice. I feel a strong vocation to the priesthood. I just wanted to know do any dioceases reject an SSPX priest? And is there any difference between a SSPX priest and any other priest?
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You’re going to get people telling you not to join that “schismatic” group, so it won’t help. I highly recommend you email one of the SSPX priests about it. They’d be more than happy to give you advice and information.
 
I have noticed that amongst younger people, those in college, the SSPX is growing quite rapidly. They are on pace to having double as many seminarians as they do priests.
 
Consider contacting the SSPX and going on a St Ignatian retreat to discern your vocation. There you can ask your questions to a holy priest and they will give you concrete answers to help you decide what to do in order to fulfill God’s will in your life.
 
If you simply want to become a priest and offer the Latin Mass, there are multiple options. The question is which of these options is (currently) a manner of seeking Holy Orders in communion with the Pope, and the Church.

First however, there is the fact that the seminary is a program of formation of both mind, and soul. It is a place where both you and your lawful superiors test your vocation. We read in the Scriptures “Many are called, few are chosen.”

As for those priests who are in communion with the Holy Father, and can be either incardinated into a Diocese by a bishop, or permitted to function as a priest, the FSSP, (Fraternity of St. Peter) the ICR (Institute of Christ the King) the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem, and the Canons of St. John Canthius are four such priestly Fraternities or Canons. The Society of St. John is another alternative, although I do not know if they are currently accepting vocations.

The SSPX are not utilized, or permitted to function as priests in any Diocese at this time, hopefully they will one day soon return to full union with the Church, and be utilized. As it stands now that is not the case. There are other groups some who were founded by Non-Roman Catholic individuals that call themselves Traditional Catholic. There are a couple of groups that broke off from the SSPX, and a few that claim to derive their orders from the late Archbishop Thuc (formerly of Viet Nam) None are currently in communion with the Pope, and some do not recognize the Pope of the Church, claiming that they alone are a remenat of the Church.
 
Well, it’s both safe and fair to say that ALL Dioceses that are in full communion with Rome (which the SSPX isn’t, and the recent lifting of the excommunications doesn’t change that) “reject” (for want of a better word) SSPX priests.

They do so to the extent that no diocese that is faithful to Rome will grant SSPX priests the priestly faculties that they in fact need, by Canon Law, to validly hear confessions and perform marriages. Of course I carefully note that they CAN celebrate the Eucharist validly - but I would question the attitude of any priest who thinks merely being allowed to perform one or two of the sacraments is good enough. 🤷

The Holy Father himself has recently said that the lifting of the excommunications of the SSPX Bishops does NOT mean that priestly faculties have been restored to those priests who, being members of the SSPX, currently lack them - all, including the bishops themselves, are still (if memory serves) suspended.

Of course the SSPX have their own take on all this. You will either choose to believe them or the Holy Father.
 
Right know, the SSPX is going through talks with the Vatican to try and get all the wrinkles worked out in their current status with the Church. It would essential that you you plug in to relationship and history of this conflict in order to make an informed decision. If God calls you to this group, that is truly wonderful. Seminary takes years and the seminaries ran by the SSPX have been praised by the Holy Father. There is much to hope for that by the time you are ready for ordination that no obstacle will exist in the communion with the SSPX. Even if not, there would still be other options that you could exercise at that time, the FSSP, for example.
 
I replied only to find your comment posted at the exact same time.
I am not surprized about your finding of young people coming to the SSPX and the amount of vocations. By their fruits you shall know them.
More and more people are starving for the truths of the faith. They are tired of the political lingo used by the mainstream church and are letting their hearts, minds and souls be lead to true holiness.
In January it will be 36 years that I have attended the traditioanl Latin Mass. I have grown spiritually every year. When I think about how I have grown through the years in God’s grace I am awestruck. If I could tell you just some of the graces received you would either cry or stand in total astonishment.
 
The Holy Father has said twice this year that the SSPX is not involved in any active ministry in the Church. That alone should answer the question to be an SSPX priest. If you really feel called, there are many other groups who do have active ministries and are in full communion with the Church. And remember, being a priest involves much more than just saying Mass.
 
Richard_James said:
Yeah, I am really considering the FSSP.
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I just came from a Mass said by an FSSP priest. (Naperville, Il) Most beautiful Christmas Mass I’ve ever attended. Attendance was awesome, surprising at that time of the day and under the rugged driving conditions we’re having in Chicago.
 
Filioque said:
The SSPX are not utilized, or permitted to function as priests in any Diocese at this time, hopefully they will one day soon return to full union with the Church, and be utilized. As it stands now that is not the case.
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That is true right NOW. But four years down the road, the SSPX may very well be in better communion with Rome. You can’t overlook the barriers that have already been broken in the last two years. Might be a little gamble on the OP’s part, but, hey, if his heart’s really into it…
 
Filioque said:
The Society of St. John is another alternative, although I do not know if they are currently accepting vocations.
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If you’re talking about the Scranton, Pa.-based order, they’ve disbanded. Sad situation there.
 
I can` t seem to grasp how these orders are generating such numbers of seminarians. They must really be guided by the spirit. Until the SSPX becomes associated with Rome I will stick to the FSSP.
 
Amen, Richard.

A google of “Fr. John Rizzo”, and a read of some of the results makes for interesting
reading.

Schism is schism. Full stop.
 
SunnaB16 said:
Amen, Richard.

A google of “Fr. John Rizzo”, and a read of some of the results makes for interesting
reading.

Schism is schism. Full stop.
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I am actually working on my member ship with the FSSP right now.
 
I would definitely look into the FSSP, although the SSPX may be in communion with Rome by the time the OP completes his formation he would still be going through priestly formation in an organization that is not communion with Rome. Although the traditionalism of the SSPX is something that a lot of seminarians are interested in you can find this with the FSSP and be in communion with Rome. Let’s not forget that the SSPX is not in communion with Rome for a reason and joining a SSPX seminary could be viewed as an act of schism.
 
mwscott said:
Let’s not forget that the SSPX is not in communion with Rome for a reason and joining a SSPX seminary could be viewed as an act of schism.
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The priests are Catholic and in communion with Rome but they effectively have no more authority than laymen. They are not in schism, however, so I don’t see how any one joining “their” seminary can be acting schismatically.

One thing about seminaries. Most there drop out before they become priests or are just happy with their theology degrees. Heck, women even attend seminaries these days (St. Mary in Baltimore as one example) so let’s not get too finger-pointing-happy with all these “acts of schism.”
 
Richard_James said:
I embrace the Latin Mass and find it to be the orthodox style of the Holy Sacrifice. I feel a strong vocation to the priesthood. I just wanted to know do any dioceases reject an SSPX priest? And is there any difference between a SSPX priest and any other priest?
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Duh…yeah. The SSPX is a schismatic group not in union with Rome. If you want to go more traditional, then join the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. They have a seminary in Denton, PA., and are in communion with Rome.

fssp.org/en/index.htm
 
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