My dear
brethren,
As the Society of
Saint Pius X celebrates its fortieth anniversary this 1st November,
this newsletter contains an interesting
interview with our Superior General Bishop Fellay to mark the
occasion. I am happy to include also the following letter from a
priest in this country, which eloquently expresses the sentiments
which should mark this occasion:
"I write to
offer my congratulations on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary
of the establishment of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X. The
founding, and indeed the work, of the Society has proved truly to be
a work at the service of God and His Church. Many graces have flowed
into the Church through the Society in the last forty years.
"Although I
was ordained in the Novus Ordo, and continue to say Mass in that
rite for most of the time, nevertheless I frequently say the
Traditional Mass and draw much strength, inspiration and
encouragement from the presence of the Society. Together, following
the inspiration of Archbishop Lefebvre and under the leadership of
Bishop Fellay, you do more good than you know with the influence of
the Society extending well beyond the boundaries of the Society and
its Mass centres. I pray for all the priests of the Society daily
that you may persevere in your labours for the Kingdom of God and
the restoration of all things in Christ.
"In the days
before 1st November I shall offer a triduum of Masses in
thanksgiving for the foundation of the Society as well as for the
priests of the Society both living and dead."
We are
grateful to the good Father for his kind and encouraging words,
which doubtless reflect the sentiments of a good number of clergy
and faithful outside our immediate circles, and will remember them
also in our thanksgiving Masses and prayers on the Feast of Christ
the King and on All Saints Day. Two commemorative cards, depicting
St Pius X and Archbishop Lefebvre, have been printed to mark this
anniversary, and will be available forthwith in our churches around
the country.
Whilst
celebrating this anniversary, we realise also that the crisis in the
Church continues apace, with a corresponding loss of Faith and the
loss of souls, and this notwithstanding the concessions made to
Tradition in recent times. The Pope continues in his endeavours to
implement Vatican II, with ecumenical inter-faith services, such
as that with Benedict XVI in Westminster Abbey recently, having
become almost commonplace. And, as the years pass by, we too can
fail to appreciate the seriousness of such events, communicatio in
sacris, or formal and active participation in non-Catholic
services, being expressly forbidden under pain of mortal sin and
censure.
Consequently
we do well to read the accompanying flyers - THE SSPX AND
TRADITION, What makes our fight unique? - so as to be strengthened
in our resolve and purpose. In the words of Archbishop Lefebvre, in
time we will be embraced by the Roman authorities, who will thank
us for having maintained the Faith in our seminaries, in our
families, in civil societies, in our countries, and in our
monasteries and our religious houses, for the greater glory of God
and the salvation of souls. [Consecration of Bishops sermon, 30th
June 1988]
___________________________
I was happy to
have undertaken the October 10-day visit to Scandinavia, celebrating
Masses and giving talks in Norway, Sweden and Denmark to the
faithful whose small numbers are made up for by their keen and
generous support. They were interested to hear of a distinguished
Roman theologians recent contributions to the Traditional cause, in
the person of 85-year old Msgr Brunero Gheradini. This latter has
critiqued the documents of Vatican II as well as the modern and
erroneous notion of a living tradition, Please see the September
2010 edition of The Angelus, for his interesting and useful
comparison of the Churchs traditional teaching with the modern
errors coming from the council.
Further to the
announcement in last months newsletter about Confirmations in
Ireland, Menzingen has now confirmed that Bishop Tissier de
Mallerais will administer this sacrament in 2011. Details to follow.
Meanwhile I look forward to visiting the faithful in Cork on the
first Sunday of November.
With regard to
the 2011 St Joseph Calendars, which have been on sale for some weeks
now, an error regarding the date of Easter has led to a reprint. The
second and corrected issue of the calendar should be available this
month; first issues can be exchanged at no extra cost from the place
of purchase.
May I thank
those of you who have already contributed items for the school fayre,
which takes place on November 27th in Burghclere Village Hall, whilst
hoping for a good attendance on the day itself. This event
represents an important fund-raising occasion for the school, in
addition to the regular church-door collections.
In this month
of the Holy Souls the Church encourages us to pray for the dead by
offering generous indulgences:
- on 2nd
November a plenary indulgence applicable to the souls in purgatory
can be gained with the usual condition by visiting a church, a
public or semi-public oratory chapel, and there praying one Creed
and one Our Father ;
- similarly,
from 1st-8th November a plenary indulgence for the Holy Souls may be
gained by visiting a cemetery and there praying, even mentally, for
the dead.
(The usual
conditions for gaining a plenary indulgence means: going to
Confession within the week preceding or following the indulgenced
devotion; receiving Holy Communion for each plenary indulgence;
reciting an Our Father and a Hail Mary, or other prayers, for the
intentions of the Holy See; and, having no affection for any sin).
Please note
the corrected times of Masses in Leicester for 2nd November.
With every
good wish and blessing,
Father Paul
Morgan
Superior
