The commemoration of the Passion of Our Lord begins as Holy Thursday ended, in silence.

The sacred ministers enter in alb and black stole, lying prostrate before the altar, before the celebrant arises and all kneel for the opening prayer. The two lessons from the Old Testament that are read explain the mercy of God poured out for our redemption and the instructions for the sacrifice of the Pascal Lamb for the Passover.  In this second lessen we see the fulfillment of the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God, so that by the Precious Blood of Jesus, the lintel and posts of our soul are covered.

The Passion of Saint John is then read or chanted, followed by the sacred ministers vesting in black as the  great intercessions are chanted from the altar:  for the Church, the Pope, the people of God, public officials, catechumens, the needs of the faithful, unity in the Church, conversion of the Jews, and conversion of unbelievers.

Adoration of the Cross follows, with the sacred ministers divesting of their chasuble or cope. The celebrant unveils the cross for adoration, calling the people to “come, let us adore” the Cross of Christ. During Adoration of the Cross the schola offers the Reproaches — a litany of intercessions and blessings given to us by God throughout the history of salvation. The hymn Crux Fidelis … Dulce Lignum (“Faithful Cross … Sweetest Wood”) is then offered.

As part of the restoration of Holy Week in 1956, reception of Communion is restored to the Mass. For this part of the service, the sacred ministers vest in violet vestments as the Deacon retrieves the ciborium from the Alter of Repose, processing back to the high altar. Communion prayers are offered and Holy Communion administered.

The service completes with a genuflection of the sacred ministers, and recession to the sacristy in silence. What follows is a gallery of images from our Dallas apostolate, Mater Dei.

Holy Thursday commemorates several of the most important acts in our Catholic Faith.

• The Institution of the source and summit of our Faith, the Most Holy Eucharist
• Ordination of the Apostles by Our Lord
• Our Lord’s Mandatum to the Apostles with the washing of the feet
• The Chrism Mass, where the bishop consecrates the three oils for the next year, that of Confirmation and Consecration of Bishops, of Baptism and Ordination of Priests, and that of Extreme Unction

There can only be one Mass for the day, and the Mass of Holy Thursday begins in full regalia, with the altars and priests dressed in white. The long Lenten omission of the Gloria is forgotten as it is sung in Mass, and the Gospel of the day is Saint John’s account of the washing of the feet.

After the Gospel, the celebrant washes the feet of twelve men in the parish.  In Rome the Holy Father traditionally washes the feet of twelve priests.  The rest of Mass continues as usual, whereafter the Hosts necessary to administer Communion on Good Friday, called the Repository, are processed in silence to an altar of repose, where the faithful may adore Our Lord, as He admonished, “And He cometh to His disciples, and findeth them asleep, and He saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak.” (Matthew 26: 40-41)

Services after the Mass are then completed with signs of mourning: altars are stripped of their garments, stripped of any ornamentation, the tabernacle door is left open, and the lights of the sanctuary are extinguished. This act both mourns Our Lord’s coming Passion, and signifies that no Sacrifice will be offered until Holy Saturday has ended with the commencement of Mass at midnight.

What follows are a gallery of images from the Holy Thursday Mass at Saint Michael the Archangel, our apostolate parish in Scranton, PA.

Entering the holiest of week of Passiontide, we look at images from Palm Sunday at Holy Family, our apostolate parish in Dayton, Ohio.

Commemorating Our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, palms are blessed before Mass begins and the Gospel account of Our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem from Saint Matthew is read. As the palms are distributed, a pair of antiphons are sung in the midst of chanting Psalms 23 and 46.  Afterwards, the faithful process in commemoration, palms in hand, to give glory to the Lord of Hosts. As they do, a series of hymns, psalms and seven antiphons are chanted, including the hymn Gloria, Laus et Honor, composed by Theodulph of Orléans in 810.

Mass of Palm Sunday then continues as other Sundays, with the Passion of Saint Matthews as the Gospel of the day, sung or chanted by three clerics. Msgr. John Fritz was celebrant for the Mass, assisted by Rev. Mr. Michael Flick, FSSP, as Deacon and Fr. Mark Wojdelski, FSSP, as SubDeacon.

Fr. James Jackson, FSSP, and the parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish have seen the fruits of their common vision realized in the dedication of their new parish church. The dedication came this past Saturday, March 23, 2013, amid the snows of late winter.

Undaunted by the elements, priests and parishioners welcomed His Excellency Samuel J. Aquila, Archbishop of Denver, along with our District Superior, Fr. Eric Flood, FSSP, and the Archbishop’s secretary, Fr. Matthew Book, for the dedication of the new church.

Established in 1996 in Littleton, Colorado (a suburb of Denver), this is one of the District’s older apostolates. In recent years the priests and parishioners of the community realized they were in need of a new church, with space becoming limited and the previous building becoming too difficult to maintain.  The idea of a new parish was preached, choices and plans were made, and finally, construction was completed. The priests and faithful of the parish can now enjoy the result of their great endeavor. See the progress of construction in Renewal: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Denver Builds a New Parish Home.

The North American District congratulates the community on their beautiful new home.  Some first images of the dedication appear below.  Expanded coverage and pictures from the dedication will be seen both here and in our newsletter.

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The Sacrament of Confirmation beseeches the Holy Ghost to perfect and seal the presence of His sevenfold graces in the soul of the confirmed. Sacramentally, the bishop is the sole ordinary minister of Confirmation, but he is free to delegate the faculty to pastors, should the need arise. This faculty was thus given to two of our pastors, Fr. James Jackson, FSSP, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Denver, and Fr. Matthew McCarthy, FSSP, pastor of Saint Francis de Sales in Atlanta.

Confirmation imparts:

• an increase of sanctifying grace which perfects the recipients Christianity
• a redoubling of the sevenfold graces of the Holy Ghost first given at Baptism, especially the strength and courage required to confess without fear the Name of Jesus Christ
• an indelible mark on the soul, so that it can only be received once

The Fraternity gives thanks to God for the newly confirmed. Images follow from Denver and Atlanta.

On Sitientes Saturday, March 16, 2013, Bishop Emeritus Fabian Bruskewitz traveled to Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska, in order to confer the Diaconate upon five Subdeacons:

• Paul Leung
• Daniel Nolan
• Michael Flick
• Joshua Passo
• Joseph Heffernan

We express our thanks and gratitude to Bishop Bruskewitz, the retired Ordinary of Lincoln, Nebraska, for returning to Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary this year to confer the Diaconate.

The name of this Saturday, Sitientes, means “you that thirst,” and is taken from the first word of the Introit of the Mass, “All you that thirst come to the waters, saith the Lord: and you that have no money, come and drink with joy.”

Sitientes Saturday is a traditional day on which ordinations are conferred.

The process of ordination began on Friday, March 15, as the five Subdeacons made their Assumption of Celibacy, recited the Profession of Faith, and took the Oath of Fidelity in the presence of Bishop Bruskewitz. The next day, Sitientes Saturday, Bishop Bruskewitz ordained them to the Diaconate (see pictures below).

We send our congratulations to the families of the newly ordained Deacons, and thank all of the family and friends that were present to celebrate this joyous occasion with us. The Fraternity asks that all of our supporters please pray for these five men during their Diaconal period, and for their pending Ordination in 2014.

Additional coverage of this year’s ordinations will be in our upcoming Newsletter.

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The North American District welcomes the accession of the Most Eminent and Reverend Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio, SJ, to the Sovereign Pontificate, taking as his name Pope Francis.

We ask all of our supporters to join with us in continually offering daily prayer and sacrifice that his pontificate may occasion the increase of faith, hope and charity throughout the Church, and the world.

May Pope Francis be filled with the courage and fortitude needed to steer the Barque of Peter amid the turbulent seas and rough winds in which we find ourselves, for the Psalmist tells us, “He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob. He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust. For He hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word.” ~ Psalm 90:1-4

We beseech Our Lord Jesus Christ, Head of His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church, to increase the love of the Deposit of Faith and our sacred traditions amongst the episcopacy, clergy, religious and laity, so that through the shepherding hand of Pope Francis, the Divine assistance will remain with us, that we might witness the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and continue to restore all things in Christ.

The Confraternity of Saint Peter is welcoming Fraternity supporters to attend a pilgrimage to Italy to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. The pilgrimage will be held from October 14-23, 2013, being led by Fr. James Fryar, FSSP, the Chaplain of the Confraternity of Saint Peter.

Dates: October 14‐23, 2013

Approximate Cost: $3595 all inclusive from NYC, double occupancy (single occupancy +$395)

For more information and questions, call Tish Gallagher at (916) 223-3112 or review the pilgrimage on Syversen Tours.

Download the Flyer (includes terms and conditions)

Includes:

• Round trip, non‐stop air from JFK in NYC, all airport taxes
• Land travel by luxury motor-­coach
• 3  hotel accommodations w/ private bath
• Breakfast & dinner daily
• All touring as indicated on itinerary
• Daily Holy Mass

Highlights of the Pilgrimage:

• A Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving in Rome on the 25th anniversary of the FSSP
• A General Audience with Pope Francis
• The four Major Churches of Rome
• The Catacombs (secret underground burial places of the early Christians)
• The Holy Staircase (Scalla Santa) on which Christ climbed to meet Pilate
  Shrines of St. Gerard Majella, St. Maria Goretti & St. Philomena
  Rosary Basilica of Pompeii (tomb of Bl. Bartolo Longo) and the ancient ruins of the old city
• The home of St. Guiseppe Moscati, the holy Doctor of Naples
• The tomb of St. Andrew the Apostle
• The exquisite towns and scenery of the Amalfi Coast

Daily Itenerary:

Day 1 – Evening flight departure from NY JFK Airport on-board a flight to Rome, Italy.

Day 2 – Morning arrival at the Rome Fuimicino Airport and transfer to downtown Rome for
check-in at the Hotel Conciliazione within close walking distance to St. Peter’s
Square & Basilica. Time to rest in the afternoon followed by Holy Mass at the FSSP Church
later in the day.

Day 3 – This morning join with pilgrims from all over the world for an audience with the Holy Father on St. Peter’s Square. Afternoon tour to visit two of Rome’s major basilica’s; St. Mary Major & St. Paul Outside the Walls. Passing by the ruins of the Roman Forum and the Coliseum, our first stop will be at St. Mary Major, one of the first shrines dedicated to Our Lady. Among its highlights are the Crypt of the Nativity (containing relics of the cradle of Our Lord) & the tomb of St. Pius V, the “Holy Pope of Lepanto”. Next, visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over the tomb of St. Paul, “the tireless traveler of Christ”.

Day 4 – Morning visit to St. Peter’s Basilica as well as one of the Catacombs. As the principal church of the Pope, St. Peter’s is among the most sacred sites in all of Christendom as it is built over the burial site of its namesake; Peter the Apostle, first Bishop of Rome. Continue on to one of the Catacombs, the underground tunnels where the early Christians buried their dead during the persecutions. Afternoon at leisure. You may want to take this time to climb the Spanish Steps, see the grand fountains of Bernini at the Piazza Navona and marvel at the breathtaking interior of the ancient Pantheon.

Day 5 – Today is the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Fraternity of St. Peter on Oct. 18, 1988. Join with Fraternity priests and laymen at a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at the FSSP Rome Parish of Santissima Trinita dei Pellegrini. Also visit the original Vatican, the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Within the main altar of this basilica is the wooden altar on which St. Peter offered Mass while in Rome. Adjacent to St. John Lateran is the Church of Scalla Santa, built to enclose the staircase that Christ walked up to meet Pontius Pilate.

Day 6 – Morning check-out and departure south for the ancient city of Pompeii. Afternoon arrival and visit of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, founded by Blessed Bartolo Longo, “Apostle of the Rosary”. Visit the basilica and the famous ruins of the old city, destroyed and partially buried during the two day eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Late afternoon arrival and check-in at the Hotel Casa Del Pellegrini in Sant’Anastasia, next to the Shrine of Madonna dell’Arco, where we will spend the next three nights.

Day 7 – Full day excursion to the shrines of St. Gerard Majella, the 18th Cnt. patron of expectant Mothers and falsely accused, in Materdomini, and St. Philomena, powerful 4th Cnt. virgin martyr, in Mugnano del Cardinale. Late afternoon return to Sant’Anastasia.

Day 8 – A day along the exquisite Amalfi coast! Upon arrival in the picturesque town of Amalfi, visit the Cathedral of St. Andrew, wherein are the relics of this great Apostle of the Cross. Time at leisure in Amalfi before returning to Sant’Anastasia.

Day 9 – Morning check-out and departure for Rome, first stopping to visit the Shrine of St. Guiseppe Moscati, the holy doctor of Naples. Continuing north, we will stop in Nettuno to visit the Shrine of St. Maria Goretti, 19th Cnt. “Lily of Purity” and Patroness of Youth. Late afternoon arrival and check-in at our hotel near the Rome Airport. Farewell Dinner.

Day 10 – Morning departure from Rome FCO for our return flight to NYC.

After a time of recollection and prayer, Fr. James W. Jackson, FSSP, pastor of our Denver apostolate, began to talk about the needs of his parish with the faithful.  As  he put it, “There is a point where you cannot suitably maintain an existing building, and you have to think about the options you have.” With this reality, one of our older apostolates, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Littleton, Colorado, began to contemplate the idea of building a new parish home.

Choices had to be made, like whether to find new land and move, modify the existing structure to a new form, or start from a blank slate.  With more time and reflection, the decision was made to stay where they were and replace the existing building with a new church on the same property.

This decision, however, created a new problem: Where was the parish to offer Mass while the construction was ongoing?  As fortune has it, the adjacent property in Denver is a funeral home.  Due to a well-established and friendly relationship, Our Lady of Mount Carmel was able to carry on with Mass and the Sacraments next door, until the construction was complete.

Then more questions needed to be answered.  Choices on construction, materials, design, and the size and scope of the final parish campus had to be decided upon, along with fundraising.  On this note, the parish is an anomaly.  There has been no specifically crafted capital campaign that is typical of parish construction in the Church today.  Instead, like the priests of old, Father began to talk about it from the pulpit, and the pledges of support came to fruition naturally.  A local contractor with extensive experience in building churches was chosen, and the project got under way in the fall of 2012.

Demolition of the parish began in November. Construction is on track to be completed, and the parish ready for re-dedication, in March of 2013.  What follows is a collage of images detailing the renewal of a parish through the building of a new church edifice.

His Excellency, Bishop James Timlin, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Scranton, traveled to Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary on Saturday, February 9, 2013, to confer the Major Order of Subdiaconate upon five seminarians.

We congratulate the five men raised to the Subdiaconate, and express our esteem and gratitude to His Excellency for his many years of guidance and conferral of Sacraments for the clergy and laity of the Fraternity.

Thanks are also in order for all of the family and friends that traveled to the seminary for this blessed event. Please, in your kindness, commend these five men to your prayers, that they may continue on the path of the Priesthood of Christ. We also ask that you continue to keep all the priests, deacons, subdeacons and seminarians of the FSSP in your prayers.

More coverage and pictures are in a forthcoming newsletter.  If you do not receive our newsletter, please sign up for the Fraternity newsletter.