General Chapter: July 3rd – 18th, 2018

The General Chapter of the FSSP, occurring once every six years, is an international meeting at which elected representatives make crucial decisions about the future growth of the Fraternity. Among the primary tasks of the Chapter are the elections and appointments of various leadership positions, including Superior General, District Superiors, Bursars and Seminary Rectors. The 2018 Chapter is to be held July 3rd – July 18th, 2018, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska.

The following is taken from the letter of Superior General Fr. John Berg to the members of the Confraternity concerning the items to be discussed at the Chapter:

Between the opening recollection and the closing Mass, the Chapter will carry out the most important work for the life and government of our Fraternity. During these days the essential decisions will be made which will guide us during the next 6 years. The Capitulants will vote for the members who will govern our Fraternity until the following Chapter. Particular laws, which determine how our founding charism is lived out by its members in the day to day, will also be discussed and later promulgated. Finally, the delegates of the Chapter will outline a course to be followed for the Fraternity’s development – both spiritual and material – over the next six years.

We will relay the results of the elections for Superior General and District Superior right here at the Missive, so bookmark the blog and subscribe to our email list (see sign-up box at the bottom of this post) for all the latest.

We ask you to join us in praying for the graces and guidance of the Holy Spirit during the Chapter. Two prayers in particular will be offered for this intention by the members of our Fraternity, and we invite you to pray them as well.

Firstly, from June 18th to the conclusion of the Chapter on July 18th, the Veni Sancte Spiritus is offered each day for the intentions of the Chapter.

Secondly, a novena is being offered in preparation for the Chapter. From June 25th to July 3rd, the Veni Creator with its versicle, response and oration will be offered each day. 

May God reward you for your prayers and your support of the Fraternity!

Veni, Sancte Spíritus, reple tuórum corda fidélium, et tui amóris in eis ignem accénde.

V. Emítte Spíritum túum et creabúntur.

R. Et renovábis fáciem terræ.

Orémus. Deus, qui corda fidélium Sancti Spíritus illustratióne docuísti: da nobis in eódem Spíritu recta sápere, et de eius semper consolatióne gaudére. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray. O God, Who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that, by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Veni, Creátor Spíritus,
mentes tuórum vísita,
imple supérna grátia
quae tu creásti péctora.
Qui díceris Paráclitus,
altíssimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, cáritas,
et spiritális únctio.
Tu, septifórmis múnere,
dígitus patérnae déxterae,
Tu rite promíssum Patris,
sermóne ditans gúttura.
Accénde lumen sénsibus:
infúnde amórem córdibus:
infírma nostri córporis
virtúte firmans pérpeti.
Hostem repéllas lóngius,
pacémque dones prótinus:
ductóre sic te prǽvio
vitémus omne nóxium.
Per te sciámus da Patrem,
noscámus atque Fílium;
Teque utriúsque Spíritum
credámus omni témpore.
Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Fílio, qui a mórtuis
surréxit, ac Paráclito,
in sæculórum sǽcula. Amen.

V. Emítte Spíritum túum, et creabúntur.

R. Et renovábis fáciem terrae.

Orémus. Deus, qui corda fidélium Sancti Spíritus illustratióne docuísti: da nobis in eódem Spíritu recta sápere; et de eius semper consolatióne gaudére. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
Vouchsafe within our souls to rest;
Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
And fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
To Thee, the Comforter, we cry,
To Thee, the Gift of God Most High,
The Fount of life, the Fire of love,
The soul’s Anointing from above.
The seven-fold gifts of grace are Thine,
O Finger of the Hand Divine;
True promise of the Father Thou,
Who dost the tongue with speech endow.
Thy light to every thought impart
And shed Thy love in every heart;
Our body’s poor infirmity
With strength perpetual fortify.
Our mortal foe afar repel,
Grant us henceforth in peace to dwell;
If Thou be our preventing Guide,
No evil can our steps betide.
Make Thou to us the Father known,
Teach us th’ Eternal Son to own,
And Thee, Whose Name we ever bless,
Of Both the Spirit, to confess.
All glory while the ages run,
Be to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death; the same to Thee,
O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let Us Pray. O God, Who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that, by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

June 19, 2018