What is the FSSP and Why Was it Founded?

[TrueLight]

From the FSSP site:

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter is a Clerical Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical right, that is, a community of Roman Catholic priests who do not take religious vows, but who work together for a common mission in the world. The mission of the Fraternity is two-fold: first, the formation and sanctification of priests in the cadre of the traditional liturgy of the Roman rite, and secondly, the pastoral deployment of the priests in the service of the Church.

Why did Blessed John Paul II found this society?
Was he pro TLM?
What does it mean to be a priest “who does not take religious vows?”
Was this society founded as an answer to the SPPX?
Does anyone here attend FSSP masses?
Do they occur in parishes?
Are they a different rite?

Thanks.

Thanks.

 

[laszlo]

When Archbishop Lefevbre decided to ordain 4 bishops without the acceptance of the Apostolic See, priest faithful to the Church left the SSPX and formed the new Priestly Fraternity

Here are the documents

fssp.org/en/documents.htm

 

[LoyalViews]

The FSSP was really founded by Bl Pope John Paul II, and some seminarians from the SSPX. They founded the FSSP and are 101% loyal to the teachings of the Church.

Why did Blessed John Paul II found this society? ^^
Was he pro TLM? Yes!
What does it mean to be a priest "who does not take religious vows?"It means they are not a religious order and do not take the vows of most religious orders and communities. They are diocesan Priests.
Was this society founded as an answer to the SPPX? In a way yes, more of an alternative though.
Does anyone here attend FSSP masses? Whenever I can!
Do they occur in parishes? Yes!
Are they a different rite? Nope, Latin rite!
:byzsoc:

 

[Chatter163]

Why did Blessed John Paul II found this society?
Was he pro TLM?
What does it mean to be a priest “who does not take religious vows?”
Was this society founded as an answer to the SPPX?
Does anyone here attend FSSP masses?
Do they occur in parishes?
Are they a different rite?

JP2 founded the FSSP as a means of providing a place for those members of the SSPX who did not wish to follow Archbishop Lefebvre into schism when he consecrated four bishops against JP2’s instructions. There had been negotiations aimed at regularizing the SSPX (much like what has happened again in recent years), and Archbishop Lefebvre had in fact signed the protocol agreement in May, 1988, but then the next day changed his mind and declared his intent to proceed with the consecrations of the new bishops, which he did in June, 1988. A minority of the SSPX clergy and seminarians then came together and accepted the Holy Father’s invitation and became the FSSP, which uses only the 1962 liturgical books. They do not have a different rite, as they are not a religious order, but a Society of Apostolic Life, so their Masses are celebrated as the EF had been in parishes prior to Vatican II (OK, possibly a bit less rushed…).

The religious life is a separate canonical way of life, and I am sure that JREducation will be along to explain that more thoroughly. But those who are members of a religious community, be it male or female, take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to their superiors in the order. Most laymen in the pew think of religious as nuns if the community is made up of women, and brothers if they are men, though the terms nuns and brothers are not completely correct here. Further complicating the matter is that in mens’ religious orders, some of the brothers may also be ordained priests, and it is to those priests that one refers when one says priests who take religious vows (pover, chastity, obedience). Priests who are not members of religious orders (which in North America and Europe, is probably most of the priests the average Catholic knows) do not take religious vows; rather, they promise obedience to their bishop. Again, JREducation can explain more. Most priests in parishes are what we call secular clergy, which means that they work for the bishop and diocese. Within these secular clergy, most are diocesan priests; however some orders of priests, such as the FSSP, are what canon law calls Societies of Apostolic Life. These associations of priests are not brothers, or members of of a religious community, but are still secular clergy, but an order of priests that minister to parishes and groups of the laity, while living a common rule. These Societies of Apostolic Life include the FSSP.

I have attended and been active in an FSSP parish for years. In our diocese it is a full parish, but in many parishes, the FSSP apostolate is either within a parish that is shared with non-FSSP clergy (meaning that they will have both OF and EF Masses at the same parish), or in another location, often called a Latin Mass Community or chape. These are not full parishes, but do offer the EF and sacraments exclusively, and are run by the FSSP alone, not shared with others. So the FSSP situations vary considerably by diocese.

Opinions may differ on the view of Blessed John Paul II and the EF, but I would not characterize him as a TLM adherent in any way, certainly not like what we have seen in his predecessor, both before and during the latter’s pontificate. But JP2 was very pastoral, and did desire that those devoted to the EF still have a place in the Church. His directives in this regard were widely ignored for many years, only very gradually improving. Only with B16 did the shackles really begin to come off for the EF. But without JP2, we would have had no start and possibly be nowhere today. Blessed John Paul II, pray for us.

 

[TrueLight]

When Archbishop Lefevbre decided to ordain 4 bishops without the acceptance of the Apostolic See, priest faithful to the Church left the SSPX and formed the new Priestly Fraternity

Here are the documents

fssp.org/en/documents.htm

Thanks Lazlo. Great information

1. Taking account of the importance and complexity of the problems referred to in this document, by virtue of my Apostolic Authority I decree the following:

a) a Commission is instituted whose task it will be to collaborate with the bishops, with the Departments of the Roman Curia and with the circles concerned, for the purpose of facilitating full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, religious communities or individuals until now linked in various ways to the Fraternity founded by Mons. Lefebvre, who may wish to remain united to the Successor Peter in the Catholic Church, while preserving their spiritual and liturgical traditions, in the light of the Protocol signed on 5 May last by Cardinal Ratzinger and Mons. Lefebvre;

b) this Commission is composed of a Cardinal President and other members of the Roman Curia, in a number that will be deemed opportune according to circumstances;

c) moreover, respect must everywhere be shown for the feelings of all those who are attached to the Latin liturgical tradition, by a wide and generous application of the directives already issued some time ago by the Apostolic See for the use of the Roman Missal according to the typical edition of 1962.(9)

So with that invite, some members left and became part of the FSSP? Were there any recriminations from their ex fellow SSPX members? How doesd the FSSP view the SSPX now?

 

[TrueLight]

I have attended and been active in an FSSP parish for years. In our diocese it is a full parish, but in many parishes, the FSSP apostolate is either within a parish that is shared with non-FSSP clergy (meaning that they will have both OF and EF Masses at the same parish), or in another location, often called a Latin Mass Community or chape. These are not full parishes, but do offer the EF and sacraments exclusively, and are run by the FSSP alone, not shared with others. So the FSSP situations vary considerably by diocese.

I have been to TLMs at different parishes and I keep seeing the same dude at different masses. I don’t know if he is a deacon or server. it makes me wonder if he maybe is part of the FSSP and help out with EF masses at different locations.

 

[Aramis]

I have been to TLMs at different parishes and I keep seeing the same dude at different masses. I don’t know if he is a deacon or server. it makes me wonder if he maybe is part of the FSSP and help out with EF masses at different locations.

It’s possible that they are:
FSSP
ICRSS
Opus Dei (unlikely but possible)
Diocesan cleric
Lay server.

Some bishops have instituted acolytes specifically for use as subdeacons in the EF.

Others have maintained a small cadre of IA’s for various OF uses, and those men can also function in the EF as subdeacons once trained on the EF mass.

Some “permanent” deacons have an attraction to the EF as well, and assist as able to.

A few religious orders also have a strong support for the EF… dominicans especially, tho they have their own separate missal.

Members of various “3rd orders” have shown, at least in Alaska, a strong support of the EF. I know of several 3rd Order Franciscans, and a couple 3rd Order Dominicans, who are supportive of the EF.

Also, remember: A diocesan cleric studying the EF may not concelebrate a low mass nder the EF, but can learn it as a server.

 

[JReducation]

The religious life is a separate canonical way of life, and I am sure that JREducation will be along to explain that more thoroughly. But those who are members of a religious community, be it male or female, take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to their superiors in the order. Most laymen in the pew think of religious as nuns if the community is made up of women, and brothers if they are men, though the terms nuns and brothers are not completely correct here. Further complicating the matter is that in mens’ religious orders, some of the brothers may also be ordained priests, and it is to those priests that one refers when one says priests who take religious vows (pover, chastity, obedience). Priests who are not members of religious orders (which in North America and Europe, is probably most of the priests the average Catholic knows) do not take religious vows; rather, they promise obedience to their bishop. Again, JREducation can explain more. Most priests in parishes are what we call secular clergy, which means that they work for the bishop and diocese. Within these secular clergy, most are diocesan priests; however some orders of priests, such as the FSSP, are what canon law calls Societies of Apostolic Life. These associations of priests are not brothers, or members of of a religious community, but are still secular clergy, but an **order of priests **that minister to parishes and groups of the laity, while living a common rule. These Societies of Apostolic Life include the FSSP.

:clapping:

You did very well. Most lay people cannot explain the difference between religious life and Holy Orders and many think that brothers are either seminarians or someone who is not smart enough to be a priest. But you got it right. All priests in religious orders are brothers as well as priests. That’s why some of them use the term friar, which is a bad English translation of Frater. How the English got from Frater to Friar is beyond me.

The only correction that you need to make to your explanation is the part that I bolded. Ther term “order” is used only for communities that have a rule. The term comes from the old Latin word “ordinem” which would translate as “ordered” or to live an ordered life. The rule gives us the structure to live an ordered life. Societies of Apostolic Life do not have a Rule of Life. They have statutes that govern their work more than their spiritual lives. They try to retain as much as they can of their secular state. This means retaining their autonomy. Each person works on his spiritual life at his pace, using his means, and his particular taste. Religious Congregations don’t have a Rule of Life either. That’s why the Church called them “congregations”, from the Latin term, “congregatio” which meant to gather. These are either men or women who make vows and they gather to live together for the purpose of serving the Church in a particular apostolate or for the purpose of achieving their salvation and the salvation of the Church through a life of prayer and solitude. But they don’t have a Rule of Life. They have a constitution that is grounded in the writings and teachings of their founder. However, unlike a Rule of Life, a constitution can be changed through a democratic vote. A Rule of Life can only be changed by the founder or by a pope. Only those communities that follow a Rule of Life are called Orders. They are always exempt.

Exempt is very important. It means, that all of these decrees that you see floating around that speak to priests, only apply to priests who are in exempt orders if the decree specifically uses the term “regular” as in those who follow a “regula” or Rule of Life. There are several documents that the lay faithful would have no reason for reading that tell us, who belong to exempt orders, when and why we have to follow the same laws as others. This way, the popes and curia at the Vatican don’t have to spell it out every time they write something. From the wording, we know if it applies to us or not and how far it applies. It’s easy to identify the orders, because we all have the word in our name. The only order that I know that does not use the term, but is a real order and is exempt from most disciplines that apply to priests are the Jesuits. When St. Ignatius founded them he called them the Company of Jesus, as in military company. Later, the Vatican tried to write their name in Latin and the term Society replaced Company. You’ll have to ask a Jesuit why the Vatican did that. I have no idea. They are an order.

The idea of a Society of Apostolic Life actually began with St. Vincent de Paul. The Daughters of Charity were the first society. They were called the Society of Charity. They are not nuns or sisters. They are secular women. We call them Sister as part of their name. Then came the Vincentians and later the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. They all make a promise to obey the statutes of their society. The FSSP and the Institute of Christ the King are in the group. The Canons of St. John Cantius are not. They are a religious congregation. They are not an order, but they are religious. They make vows and have an Augustinian community life.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JReducation]

A few religious orders also have a strong support for the EF… dominicans especially, tho they have their own separate missal.

Members of various “3rd orders” have shown, at least in Alaska, a strong support of the EF. I know of several 3rd Order Franciscans, and a couple 3rd Order Dominicans, who are supportive of the EF.

There are many religious communities that are interested and supportive of the EF. In my own Franciscan family, the Franciscans of the Immaculate are takling the task of adjusting the EF calendar and masses for different days to match the Franciscan Liturgical Calendar. Because as it stands right now, there are days when we cannot use the EF. It does not have the right mass, because a certain Francisan saint is not on the calendar or the Church is celebrating something that Franciscans don’t celebrate or the dates are different. For example, the feast of St. Francis is a two day celebration that follows the same form as Good Friday and Easter. We have the Transitus (the death and passing) on October 3rd and Francis Entrance Into Glory on October 4th. These are not in the EF missal. St. Francis is a third class feast in the EF. Therefore, the readings are wrong, the collect is wrong and the order of the mass is wrong. In the old days we had the Seraphic Missal. Unfortunately, the Seraphic MIssal predates 1962. We cannot be used. In that missal the mass of St. Francis was celebrated with all the bells and whistles that you would find at Christmas and Easter:

The Franciscans of the Immaculate have a wonderful brother who is a liturgist, theologian and a linguist. He has been working hard on this. It’s still a work in progress. I have seen some pieces of it and you can’t tell that there is any change. The changes are very subtle.

Unless you have your own rite, you must use the Roman Rite with allowances for the customs of your religious order and the liturgical calendar of your order. These are small details that the average Catholic would never notice. One would have to be a liturgist to tell that “Oh . . . . that’s Benedictine, not really EF.” or “That’s Franciscan” For example, Franciscans and Benedictines can wear their cowls. If it’s a conventual mass they all stand at the altar. Obviously, this cannot be done at a mass with a large congregation. There is not enough room. At a conventual mass you’re talking about a handful of people. The non-clerical monks or non-clerical friars would read the epistles to blend the fraternity together, so that the mass is not a clerical event. I think that the Canons of St. John Cantius do this as well. But these are details that are not distracting. Then there are other little details that are particular to different religious orders.

You’re right. There is support from the religious orders. The big issue right now is that many lay people don’t understand why a friar or a monk cannot just pick up and celebrate an EF mass. Many people thought that Summorum Pontificum gave every priest a license to celebrate it whenever. This is not the case. Regular priests may use the form, without permission, when celebrating alone. To celebrate with a congregation, they need permission. Superiors don’t want to make it a daily thing, because it takes that person out of the community, if the community is celebrating the OF and one person is celebrating the EF on a daily basis. That person is not part of the community mass. Unless the community votes for it, you cannot make the EF the official form for the community. In the large communities that have many houses, this is impossible to do. It’s easier to stay with the OF and use the EF on special occasions. But you will see Franciscans and other religious using it.

Sometimes, at a parish, they will have one Sunday mass in the EF. The rest of the week they use the OF. Other times you’ll see it used for special holy days.

The religious are trying to strike a balance to provide the for the pastoral needs of the people we serve and at the same time preserve oiur way of life. We’re very skittish about that. Prio to Vatican II, we fell into the pattern of putting pastoral needs first. We had tons of vocations, but most of the men who joined us did not have a vocation to religious life. They joined to become priests. When the focus shifted from being priests to being religious and living the common life first so that all pastoral work was programmed around religious life, not the other way around, thousands of men left. They wanted the focus to be pastoral work and the religious life to be built around the work. That’s why they joined. They were attracted to the work of the particular religious community. However, the founders had another vision. The vision was a community that lived the Gospel in a very structured manner and went out to do ministry without skipping a single community obligation. By the 1900s, this had changed. Community prayer, recreation, meals, retreats, chapters, study time, quiet time, were all replaced by masses, confessions, catechism classes, parish meetings, school meetings, fund raising events, preaching commitments and what have you.

Today, there is a desire to bring the EF to the religious houses and the parishes run by religious, without neglecting the religious life. It has to happen in such a way that it fits in with the demands of the religious life. So you don’t drop the Liturgy of the Hours to go hear confessions, because the schedule was changed in order to add an extra mass in the EF. The LOTH stays where it is. Community meals and recreation stay where they are. Confessions and masses are scheduled around those community obligations.

It’s a juggling act that can be achieved with patience and good will.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[At_Trent]

There are many religious communities that are interested and supportive of the EF. In my own Franciscan family, the Franciscans of the Immaculate are takling the task of adjusting the EF calendar and masses for different days to match the Franciscan Liturgical Calendar.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Br.JR,
I had the pleasure of watching a video on the Franciscans of the Immaculate about 2 hrs. ago

youtube.com/watch?v=4frzb-mre2Y&feature=player_embedded

What is the priest doing right after he gives Communion to the servers, from the 2:12 mark-2:20 ?

 

[JReducation]

Br.JR,
I had the pleasure of watching a video on the Franciscans of the Immaculate about 2 hrs. ago

youtube.com/watch?v=4frzb-mre2Y&feature=player_embedded

What is the priest doing right after he gives Communion to the servers, from the 2:12 mark-2:20 ?

He’s putting the veil over the chalice. The camera is at an awkward angle. I had to look at three times to figure it out.

I wouldn’t call those men servers. You may get a sandal thrown at your head. Those are friars. The man with the hood is the superior of that house. He’s not a priest; however, he is called Father. The priest who is celebrating the mass is called Friar or Brother, depending on the country. The friars without hoods are novices. You can tell the friars by the cinctures. You will see a chord hanging from the right side. Our custom is to wear the surplus directly over the habit, without an alb or cassock.

It’s very common in the Franciscan tradition to have many people all over the sanctuary during the EF. You will see all of the friars in the house have something to do. They sing, they carry something, they hold something, but everyone is involved. The idea is to stress brotherhood. Often, you will see the sisters on the sanctuary. The nuns do not go to the sanctuary, because the sanctuary is outside of the enclosure. The nuns remain behind the grill. However, the sisters can go onto the sanctuary, because they are not nuns.

Also, if you observe very carefully, the chant is not Gregorian chant. It is sacred music, but not Gregorian. Franciscan men do not use Gregorian chant. Only Franciscan women do. They may also use hymns in the vernacular. You may hear some of the oldies but goodies: “O Sacred Head Surrounded”, “Immaculate Mary”, and others. If I’m not mistaken, the Franciscans of the Immaculate were going to ask for permission to use Gregorian Chant. I’m not sure if they did and if it was granted. I know that those obediences that have asked have been given permission only for the mass, never for the Divine Office. The argument is that the rule specifically states that the Divine Office is to be recited.

You may have noticed that the friar did not wear a biretta. A friar wears his cowl. The cowl is the proper headgear for a brother. Whereas the biretta is the official head gear of the priest. The ordained friar goes to the altar as a brother who is at the service of the Church, not as a father. He is brother to the congregation and to his brothers. This is a very typical of the Benedictines, Franciscans, Trinitarians, and Carmelites. Because there is such a strong focus on brotherhood, you see a lot more traffic at one of our EF masses than you would at one celebrated by the FSSP and you may see Franciscan women religious on the sanctuary.

To many friars it baffles the mind that some people today don’t want women on the sanctuary at an EF mass, because we’ve had sisters, usually leading the singing. People who grew up in our missions and parishes are used to it. It was only the nuns who stayed behind the grill.

You will often notice that the gates to the sanctuary, if there are any, are deliberately left open. It’s a Franciscan tradition that the entire church is sacred space, not just the sanctuary. Watch the mass at the Blessed Sacrament Shrine on EWTN. They have a railing, but they don’t close it off when the friars are celebrating. That would create a false image of the priest being the only person who has the right to be on the sanctuary. You can’t do that in an order where you have many men who are not priests and some of them are your superiors. You can’t exlude them from the sanctuary. Unless the local bishop has a specific ruling about it, the sanctuary is open to all the friars and sisters.

Those are customs that date back to the time of Francis. Not every house has women religious attached to it. In some places you don’t have them present. Not every church has a large enough sanctuary to accommodate an entire community. There is going to be some give and take. The idea is that everyone is on the sanctuary, but out of the priet’s way. He should not have to step over you. That’s true even in the OF. The fraternity is present, but no in the way.

You may have noticed that the Friar wore his cowl as he left and that it was white. There are monastic albs that have a cowl attached. You slip the habit cowl into the cowl of the alb. If the alb does not have a cowl, you simply wear the habit’s cowl over the vestments so that you can wear it at the time when other priests would wear the biretta. Because our habits come in many colores: grey, blue, white, brown, black, and kahki, the monastic alb is preferred. Some vestments don’t look good with the color of the habit. For example, a brown cowl over a purple vestment looks awful. You make due with what you have.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Denise1957]

From the FSSP site:

Why did Blessed John Paul II found this society?
Was he pro TLM?
What does it mean to be a priest “who does not take religious vows?”
Was this society founded as an answer to the SPPX?
Does anyone here attend FSSP masses?
Do they occur in parishes?
Are they a different rite?

Thanks.

Thanks.

Others here have already given a good backgound on the FSSP, but I thought you might enjoy this clip of a recent video which shows the work of the FSSP priests called, “Men Apart.” It is in the French language, but you can still get an idea of what’s happening. There’s an annoying 15-second commerical at the beginning, though.
I’m a member of the FSSP confraternity, which is a group of lay faithful who commit to pray daily for the FSSP priests.

fsspvocations.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-dvd-men-apart.html

 

[Planty_Pall]

From the FSSP site:

Why did Blessed John Paul II found this society?

Answer: It seems that you want more than the obvious, which is that he thought it was a good idea. Who could be qualified to answer more specifically than that?

Was he pro TLM?

Answer: He didn’t want to alienate anybody. He was pro-everybody.

What does it mean to be a priest “who does not take religious vows?”

Answer: Somebody has probably answered this. If not, it probably will be.

Was this society founded as an answer to the SPPX?

Answer: There were good priests of the SSPX who were troubled at Abp. Lefebvre’s decision to consecrate the bishops. The FSSP consisted originally of such priests who were ordained by Abp. Lefebvre.

Does anyone here attend FSSP masses?

Answer: yes. Not me. I would if they were close at hand. I assist at SSPX Masses.

Do they occur in parishes?

Answer: I don’t understand that question.

Are they a different rite?

Answer: The FSSP? No, they are Latin Rite. Like the SSPX from which they originate, they use the 1962 Missal, just like all of the TLM’s approved by Rome?

Thanks.

 

[At_Trent]

He’s putting the veil over the chalice. The camera is at an awkward angle. I had to look at three times to figure it out.

I wouldn’t call those men servers. You may get a sandal thrown at your head. Those are friars. The man with the hood is the superior of that house. He’s not a priest; however, he is called Father. The priest who is celebrating the mass is called Friar or Brother, depending on the country. The friars without hoods are novices. You can tell the friars by the cinctures. You will see a chord hanging from the right side. Our custom is to wear the surplus directly over the habit, without an alb or cassock.

It’s very common in the Franciscan tradition to have many people all over the sanctuary during the EF. You will see all of the friars in the house have something to do. They sing, they carry something, they hold something, but everyone is involved. The idea is to stress brotherhood. Often, you will see the sisters on the sanctuary. The nuns do not go to the sanctuary, because the sanctuary is outside of the enclosure. The nuns remain behind the grill. However, the sisters can go onto the sanctuary, because they are not nuns.

Also, if you observe very carefully, the chant is not Gregorian chant. It is sacred music, but not Gregorian. Franciscan men do not use Gregorian chant. Only Franciscan women do. They may also use hymns in the vernacular. You may hear some of the oldies but goodies: “O Sacred Head Surrounded”, “Immaculate Mary”, and others. If I’m not mistaken, the Franciscans of the Immaculate were going to ask for permission to use Gregorian Chant. I’m not sure if they did and if it was granted. I know that those obediences that have asked have been given permission only for the mass, never for the Divine Office. The argument is that the rule specifically states that the Divine Office is to be recited.

You may have noticed that the friar did not wear a biretta. A friar wears his cowl. The cowl is the proper headgear for a brother. Whereas the biretta is the official head gear of the priest. The ordained friar goes to the altar as a brother who is at the service of the Church, not as a father. He is brother to the congregation and to his brothers. This is a very typical of the Benedictines, Franciscans, Trinitarians, and Carmelites. Because there is such a strong focus on brotherhood, you see a lot more traffic at one of our EF masses than you would at one celebrated by the FSSP and you may see Franciscan women religious on the sanctuary.

To many friars it baffles the mind that some people today don’t want women on the sanctuary at an EF mass, because we’ve had sisters, usually leading the singing. People who grew up in our missions and parishes are used to it. It was only the nuns who stayed behind the grill.

You will often notice that the gates to the sanctuary, if there are any, are deliberately left open. It’s a Franciscan tradition that the entire church is sacred space, not just the sanctuary. Watch the mass at the Blessed Sacrament Shrine on EWTN. They have a railing, but they don’t close it off when the friars are celebrating. That would create a false image of the priest being the only person who has the right to be on the sanctuary. You can’t do that in an order where you have many men who are not priests and some of them are your superiors. You can’t exlude them from the sanctuary. Unless the local bishop has a specific ruling about it, the sanctuary is open to all the friars and sisters.

Those are customs that date back to the time of Francis. Not every house has women religious attached to it. In some places you don’t have them present. Not every church has a large enough sanctuary to accommodate an entire community. There is going to be some give and take. The idea is that everyone is on the sanctuary, but out of the priet’s way. He should not have to step over you. That’s true even in the OF. The fraternity is present, but no in the way.

You may have noticed that the Friar wore his cowl as he left and that it was white. There are monastic albs that have a cowl attached. You slip the habit cowl into the cowl of the alb. If the alb does not have a cowl, you simply wear the habit’s cowl over the vestments so that you can wear it at the time when other priests would wear the biretta. Because our habits come in many colores: grey, blue, white, brown, black, and kahki, the monastic alb is preferred. Some vestments don’t look good with the color of the habit. For example, a brown cowl over a purple vestment looks awful. You make due with what you have.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

All good and interesting stuff, thanks for taking time to explain it all. As far as the women in the Sanctuary, I’d never question any Mendicant Order’s traditions.

That video is certainly a very moving glimpse at a Franciscan Mass.

 

[TrueLight]

Do they occur in parishes?

Answer: I don’t understand that question.

Thanks for your answers.

I noticed a lot of houses, and I didn’t know if a “house” is something other than a Church, where the FSSP has masses or if they go to parishes and offer masses.

 

[Love_Divine]

Thanks for your answers.

I noticed a lot of houses, and I didn’t know if a “house” is something other than a Church, where the FSSP has masses or if they go to parishes and offer masses.

While I can’t speak about other cities, the FSSP house’s address in the city I used to attend FSSP Masses was literally in a residential area of houses, so I’m assuming it’s a house they live in and work out of. All of our Masses were held in a church, and the FSSP priest was listed as the Associate Pastor of the parish.

 

[TrueLight]

Others here have already given a good backgound on the FSSP, but I thought you might enjoy this clip of a recent video which shows the work of the FSSP priests called, “Men Apart.” It is in the French language, but you can still get an idea of what’s happening. There’s an annoying 15-second commerical at the beginning, though.
I’m a member of the FSSP confraternity, which is a group of lay faithful who commit to pray daily for the FSSP priests.

fsspvocations.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-dvd-men-apart.html

It’s always a beautiful thing to see young men set themselves apart and devote themselves to holiness and God’s work. Thanks.

 

[TrueLight]

You know, I don’t think I see an FSSP house in NYC. Can that be right?

 

[wsxyz]

You know, I don’t think I see an FSSP house in NYC. Can that be right?

They are in Pequannock, NJ, and the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest is in West Orange, NJ.
olfchapel.org/About/history.htm
institute-christ-king.org/westorange/

However, there are several regularly scheduled traditional Masses in New York.
[Ecclesia Dei - Traditional Mass Directory York](Ecclesia Dei - Traditional Mass Directory York)
rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2010/04/you-report-traditional-latin-mass-in.html

 

[stuart12]

Not all of those who left the Society to form the FSSP left because they believed Archbishop Lefebvre to be in schism. A number of their members will continue to hold him in esteem. Some left because they did not like the way the Society was going which could have resulted in a true schism.