Fr. Gerard Saguto, FSSP, the new District Superior for North America, has begun the work of introducing himself to the apostolates of the District. As part of this, he recently visited St. Michael the Archangel in Scranton to offer a Solemn High Mass for the Sunday, to preach on the challenges and responsibilities of fatherhood, and to meet the parishioners after Mass.

Assisted by the Rev. Mr. Edward Brodsky, FSSP, as deacon, and acolyte Mr. Matthew Vierno as subdeacon, the new District Superior gave a lively and challenging sermon on true manhood and the responsibilities of fathers in today’s world.

Father began by speaking of the assault on the family happening in today’s world, and how a father’s character is of prime importance. This assault has led to widespread problems in the modern world.  Although man has a natural desire to provide and protect, more often than not the modern notion of power for men is about commanding power, but this misses the point of true masculinity. Power is not license for men to indulge themselves, and it does not permit men to shirk their duties as a husband and father. True manliness is just the opposite; conforming your will and duties to your state in life.

He then showed that the answer is the epitome of manhood — our Lord Jesus Christ.  Christ shows us that true masculinity isn’t that a man exercises power, but how a man exercises power. Since Christ is a model of seeking the highest good and being always faithful to duty, a true Catholic exercises power and real manliness by emulating Christ. He does this by avoiding distractions and harmful behavior, and choosing what is important and good.

Fr. Saguto stressed how crucially important is not to just know about Christ, but to know Christ. Fathers have to show their love for Our Lord to their children. They do this by fulfilling and living the Christian life, frequenting the Sacraments, leading their children in prayer, and praying for their family.  He concluded by stressing that fathers must be an example to their sons so they see that a devout life and sacrifice for family is true manliness. Equally important is fathers being a good example to their daughters, so that those girls know what to expect in the men around them; be it their brothers, friends, or future husbands.

After the conclusion of Mass, Father enjoyed brunch and refreshments as he talked with parishioners in the parish hall. Enjoy pictures of the day.

The fourth annual Saint Francis Xavier Mission Trip was another tremendous success. 38 young people from the United States, Canada, and Mexico accompanied 4 priests, 3 seminarians, and 3 sisters to Piura Peru from July 28th to August 10th.

Piura, which is located in the northwest corner of Peru, is not the most beautiful part of Peru from a natural point of view, being a barren, sandy desert. Supernaturally, however, it is very beautiful. Although there is much poverty, the roots of faith run very deep in the culture.

The members of the group spent their time in a variety of corporal and spiritual works of mercy. They built and repaired houses, visited orphanages, delivered food donations, painted a school, visited the sick, and assisted with catechesis. These experiences certainly made a lasting impact on everyone as they learned firsthand the beauty of making a sacrifice of oneself to serve those in need. There is also something very moving about being able to connect with people of a different culture and who live in very different circumstances through the bonds of Christian charity.

Each year the trip also makes a lasting impact on the participants on account of the friendships it engenders. On a large map that hangs in the refectory where the missionaries ate each day, a mark was placed on the city from which each missionary hailed, ranging from Vancouver to Guadalajara. The resulting impression was profound. These young people, most of whom had not known each other before, were united in a common commitment to the traditions of the Church and a desire to put their faith in action. In the words of one of the missionaries:

“I am certain that this trip and the persons on it will remain in my heart and prayers for the rest of my life.”

They shared work, prayer, recreation, exhaustion, and strong sense of accomplishment and renewal in their desire to be strong Catholics. They had opportunities to deepen their knowledge of the faith by submitting their questions to the priest-panel. And, of course, there were always opportunities for one on one conversations, confession, or spiritual direction.

This year’s trip was especially unique in the degree to which the participants were truly missionaries of the Traditional Mass. Almost every day, the four priests were sent to celebrate Masses in the scattered villages the comprise the parish of Santisimo Sacramento. Some of these places are very rarely visited by a priest. Some had not had Mass since the Saint Francis Xavier Mission Trip had come last year. And for others it had been even longer. In many of these places confessions were heard for the first time in decades. The boys assisted by serving and many of the girls enhanced the beauty of the Masses with sacred music. Everywhere that the Mass was introduced, it was received positively, with love and enthusiasm. Many people eagerly wanted to know when the group would be returning with this treasure again. Not only was the ability to bring the Mass a gift for the Peruvians, but for the missionaries it opened the eyes of many to the great blessing it is to have regular access to the Mass and the other sacraments, especially in this beautiful and holy form.

The greatest fruit for the missionaries who participate in this trip is that for two weeks, what is most important in life is brought emphatically into focus. In a short time, the young people are able to form relationships with the people in Peru, even though most of them do not speak the same language. There is a great joy in holding and playing with the numerous children met in Peru, in visiting the very simple but very welcoming homes of the Peruvians, and even in making sacrifices of one’s sleep and comforts. Through these experiences, and even the more difficult but equally beautiful ones of visiting the dying and the suffering with the consolations of Church, one realizes in the Peruvians and in oneself that happiness is certainly not a product of one’s material possessions. Certain of Our Lord’s words perhaps, as a result of this trip, ring all the more true: “Seek ye therefore the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things will be added unto you;” and “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

As one missionary wrote:

“I will never be the same again because of this Peru trip. I mean, what person gets the opportunity to travel to South America, do mission work, and go to twenty-four Traditional Latin Masses in about ten days-? Not many, I think, and I am so grateful to have been given this life-changing opportunity by you and the Fraternity.

I hope and pray that this trip changed me for the better and formed me into a more generous and mature person, but as you said to all the missionaries in Peru, the hard missionary work is at home, and in the everyday mundane things. I hope to become a better missionary in my own home and parish, and I hope to see you next year!”

(our thanks to Fr. Daniel Heenan, FSSP, for the contribution of this article)

On the 1st of July, 2013, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter arrived at the Church of All Saints to assume the parochial care of one of the oldest parishes in North East Minneapolis. The Church of All Saints was originally established in 1919 to serve the expanding Polish community. Over the years however, the neighborhood community has changed, with many parishioners relocating to other parts of the Twin Cities. As a result, the community of All Saints dwindled, and the parish has been without a pastor for the last ten years.

With the arrival of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, the parish is rediscovering its Catholic identity as an Extraordinary Form parish and is blossoming in a new springtime of liturgical and pastoral renewal.

As the parish draws closer to its 100th anniversary, renovation work begun in January is now reaching its conclusion. To celebrate the installation of a new High Altar and the completion of a $350K remodeling of the church interior, Fr. Peter Bauknecht, FSSP, pastor of All Saints, invited the Most Reverend Andrew Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop of Minneapolis, and Fr. John Berg, FSSP, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity, to join over 500 members of the faithful in celebrating a Pontifical High Mass on the Feast of the Assumption. The occasion was the first time a Solemn High Mass had been offered on the new altar, which had originally come from another All Saints parish in northern Pennsylvania.

Bishop Cozzens, who previously celebrated the Traditional Mass in the Saint Paul Cathedral last October, reported that he was delighted to make his first visit to the parish, and to meet so many of the young families at the outdoor reception afterwards. Fr. Bauknecht expressed his delight with the occasion and his thanks to all those who have helped renovate and restore the traditions of the parish, particularly the members of the St. Martha’s and St. Joseph’s Guilds.

Speaking with Fr. Berg afterwards, Fr. Bauknecht laid out his plans for an improved homeschool co-op and advanced catechesis classes, beginning this Fall. The Pontifical Mass also provided an opportunity for the Fraternity’s new District Superior, Fr. Gerard Saguto, FSSP, to visit one of the newer parishes in North America, where he expressed his gratitude and support for Fr. Bauknecht during his homily at the 10:30 Sunday High Mass.

For more information of the Church of All Saints please see our Minnesota apostolate information here, or visit the parish website at www.fsspminneapolis.org. Many thanks to Tracy Dunne for images of the day.

“There stood an angel at the altar of the temple, having a golden censer in his hand, and there was given to him much incense, and the smoke of the incense went up before God, Alleluia. “ (Apoc. viii 3, 4)

Thus does the Bishop speak when he is incensing the altar at its consecration. The rite of consecrating an altar of sacrifice can be traced back into the Old Testament. We read in Genesis that Jacob even anointed without oil the stone memorial he set up before God when he vowed his vow to the Lord of Hosts.

On the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Year of Our Lord 2015, His Excellency Edward Slattery, Bishop of Tulsa, Oklahoma, consecrated the newly hewn marble altar of the Church of the Most Precious Blood. This solemn event was followed by Pontifical High Mass, where His Excellency was assisted by Fr. Gregory Pendergraft, FSSP; Fr. Angelo van der Putten, FSSP, the former pastor of the apostolate, as deacon; and Fr. William Define, FSSP, the current pastor of Most Precious Blood Parish, as subdeacon.

From the solemn procession with the relics of the martyrs that are enclosed in the sepulcher of the altar — St. Justin Marytr, St. Maria Goretti, and an ancient, unnamed martyr, to the fires lighted upon the five crosses engraved in the marble mensa, the ceremony is one of the most elaborate in the Roman Church. The reason for this is that upon this altar the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered. Here the sacrifice of Calvary is renewed, and here upon this sanctified altar will Christ dwell in the true presence of the Eucharist in the tabernacle.

May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, be praised, loved, and adored, in all the tabernacles of the world, even unto the end of time.

(our thanks to Fr. Gregory Pendergraft, FSSP, for the contribution of this article)

Fr. John Kodet, FSSP, recently ordained in May, returned home to the archdiocese of Minneapolis to offer one of his first Masses on June 29th, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The Mass was offered at All Saints, our parish apostolate in Minneapolis, and Fr. Kodet was assisted by Fr. Simon Harkins, FSSP, as deacon and Mr. Daniel Mould, FSSP, as subdeacon.

The feast of Saints Peter and Paul is a feast of ancient origin, already being celebrated in the 2nd century. It was natural for the early Church to celebrate these two great Apostles of Rome, who ministered and preached to the Romans, and both of whom eventually died in the city.

Saint Peter suffered martyrdom in AD 64 and was buried on Vatican hill, where Saint Peter’s Basilica was subsequently erected over his tomb.  Saint Paul preached throughout the Mediterranean basin, and was ultimately captured and brought to Rome, where he was beheaded there in AD 67.  The Basilica of St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls holds the tomb of St. Paul.

In a sermon in the year 395, St. Augustine of Hippo said of Sts. Peter and Paul:

Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.

The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul is a patronal feast of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, and offers a plenary indulgence each year for those who are enrolled in the Confraternity of St. Peter.  Enjoy pictures of the feast and one of Father Kodet’s first Masses, courtesy of Minneapolis photographer Tracy Dunne.

Fr. Gregory Pendergraft, FSSP, Director of Development for the North American District, recently spoke with Mr. Peter Graves of The Catholic World Report to talk about the Traditional Latin Mass and the booming vocations “problem”  of the Fraternity. Some excerpts:

CWR: Most Catholics today are not old enough to remember the Church before Vatican II. How are you received by parishioners and priests unfamiliar with the Fraternity or the Church before Vatican II?

Father Pendergraft: Knowledge must precede love. This is no different with the liturgy than it is with anything else. For this reason we try to encourage the faithful to experience the Traditional Mass so that they can see the many graces it has to offer. Interestingly, it is the younger generation among both priests and parishioners who are often most actively seeking the ancient rites of the Church.

As far as a reaction, most often it is the liturgy that speaks for itself. When Catholics have the opportunity to experience this liturgy they are very often intrigued and interested and want to know more about it. Thus, our role is often more that of teaching rather than trying to garner interest. As we are easily identified by the wearing of the Roman cassock, we are received with every emotion possible based on the likes or dislikes of the individual with whom we have contact. Yet, the many friendships we have with the bishops and priests who have visited our parishes and seminaries and the faithful who discover one of our parishes attest to the power of charity and the desire for sanctity to overcome any obstacle.

CWR: What do you think the Extraordinary Form liturgy brings to parishes and dioceses? 

Father Pendergraft: The Extraordinary Form liturgy sanctified generations of faithful Catholics in the past and continues its work in the present. The singular beauty and reverence of the Mass and its link to the traditional practices of the Catholic faith help to free us from the bonds of sin and the attachment to the things of the world. A strong emphasis on the need for repentance often inspires a return to the sacrament of confession, which has been called the “forgotten sacrament” in our modern age.

The entire article can be read here.

Each year the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter organizes a pilgrimage from Maryland to Washington, DC, concluding with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the National Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The pilgrimage is informally known as the “Buckley March.”

For 2015, newly ordained Fr. David Franco, FSSP, stepped into the leadership role for the pilgrimage, and was joined by many pilgrims and numerous seminarians from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary. Enjoy images of the pilgrimage, and an EWTN news segment on the pilgrims:

Reverend Father Timothy O’Brien, FSSP, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Excellency, Bishop James D. Conley at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel in Lincoln, Nebraska, on May 30, 2015. He offered his First Solemn High Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Chapel in Lincoln the following day, with Rev. Fr. Matthew McNeely, FSSP, serving as Assistant Priest, Rev. Mr. Christopher Mahowald, FSSP, serving as Deacon, and Rev. Fr. Karl Marsolle, FSSP, serving as Subdeacon.

Father O’Brien was born to Steven and Lori O’Brien in Phoenix, Arizona, but moved to a small town in Northern Nevada when he was three. He is the fourth of six children. Father is very thankful to his parents for handing the faith on to him, for creating an environment where the virtues could be practiced and for always being true to the Church and to the Pope.

After one year of college, he enlisted in the Army. Father served his country for four years, three of which were spent in Fort Campbell, Kentucky and for one year he was deployed to the Middle East. After returning from overseas, Rev. Fr. O’Brien took a weekend trip to Columbus, Ohio, and attended a Solemn High Mass in Latin for the first time. After witnessing the beauty, order and majesty in that Mass, he began to discern a vocation to the Priesthood. After witnessing “the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven,” Father reoriented his life so that he might serve God as best he could. He began also to attend daily Mass when he was able and, when his enlistment was over, he returned to Nevada.

Father was attending Mass three times per week and began looking into possible seminaries in which to test his vocation. This is when he first became acquainted with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. He visited their apostolate in Sacramento, and met the three Fraternity priests there. With their assistance, Father O’Brien joined the Fraternity’s Seminary in the Fall of 2008. The seven years of formation flew by very fast, the last year being but a blink of the eye.

Father O’Brien is very grateful to all those he has met along the way and to all those who have helped him to approach the Altar. “What shall I render to the Lord for all that He has rendered unto me? I will take the Chalice of Salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord.” Please pray for Father O’Brien that he might be a good and holy priest.

Fr. John Kodet, FSSP, offered his first Mass at Immaculate Conception church, our parish apostolate parish in Omaha, Nebraska.  Father was assisted by Fr. Dan Nolan, FSSP, as deacon, Fr. Joseph Heffernan, FSSP, as subdeacon, and Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, pastor of Immaculate Conception, assisted Fr. Kodet.

Father is the fourth of nine children and was baptized on the sixteenth of October, 1988. He was blessed, along with the rest of his siblings, to be home-schooled, which emphasized the role of his parents as teachers and he and his siblings’ role as obedient students. The constant and good example of his parents as honest, hardworking, pious, and faithful Catholics taught him the importance of keeping God at the center of his life.

“As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine: so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine: you are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing,” ~ John 15:4-5

During his peaceful childhood on the family farm, free from the bombardment of modern and fast paced culture — filled with its countless distractions — Father found true role models in the Saints, whose hagiographies inspire us to imitate their spirit of faith in, and love and sacrifice for, our Creator and Redeemer.
Three elements combined to lead him to the seminary: the lives of the Saints, the faithful and cheerful example of priests at Sunday and daily Mass, and the oft repeated wise words from his parents: happiness comes from God and we will be happiest if we do His will.

For Father, this last thought begged the question, “What is God’s will for me?”

Father found the answer over the course of one year of college and seven all too brief years of seminary, praying daily to know and fulfill the Divine Will. In due time, Father Kodet was ordained to the Holy Priesthood for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, by Bishop James Conley, on May 30th, 2015, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Newman Center Chapel, in Lincoln, NE.

May God bless all who helped Father Kodet to ascend the altar of God. Father prays that you seek to know and follow your God-given vocation every moment of every day.

Every breath is “debt on debt.”
“Freely you have received; freely give.” ~ Matthew 10:8

For the first time since the late 1990’s, deacons of the Priestly Fraternity were ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in Canada.

The Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, SJ, Archbishop of Ottawa, traveled to St-Hyacinthe, Québec, and raised Deacon Jacques Breton and Deacon Alexandre Marchand to the priesthood, according to the Traditional Roman Rite of Ordination, in the beautiful seminary chapel of St-Hyacinthe.

Assisting His Excellency as deacon was Fr. Laurent Demets, FSSP, pastor of our apostolate in Québec City, and as subdeacon the Archbishop was assisted by Fr. Juan Tomas, FSSP, the assistant chaplain in our Montréal apostolate. The assistant priest for the ordinations was Fr. Erik Deprey, FSSP, pastor of St. Clements, our Ottawa apostolate.

Fr. Hubert Bizard, vice rector of the Fraternity seminary in Wigratzbad, was the Master of Ceremonies, assisted by seminarians from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska, as well as altar servers from St. Clement Parish in Ottawa.

The Archbishop’s sermon can be heard on his website: Ordinations 2015 at St-Hyacinthe

Many thanks to His Grace for his continued support of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, and congratulations to our new priestly members, their families, and all their supporters during Frs. Breton and Marchand’s years of formation.

Please continue, in your kindness, to pray for Fathers Breton and Marchand, and all the priests and seminarians of the Fraternity, and enjoy pictures of the day from Jacinthe Soulard.