The Confraternity of St. Peter: Revisiting an Important Work

Behind every spiritual work, every growing apostolate, every deep conversion is prayer. Without prayer, nothing truly and eternally good ever happens. God has willed that many of the blessings He wishes to bestow upon His children be won for them by means of prayer.

And for the important work of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter it is no different. The Church has always understood this and that is why the heights of Catholic Culture were always built upon the strong foundation of contemplative prayer. Without that heart-to-heart conversation with God, there would be no soul to the apostolate.

The zeal of priests and laity alike fades over time if the fire of Divine Charity is not kept close to their hearts by prayer. Thus, the priests of the FSSP rely most upon the generous prayerful support of those many souls who daily lift them up in prayer into contact once again with the Most Sacred Heart of Our Beloved Savior and Eternal High Priest.

For any who value the work of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, there is a beautiful way to band together to support the priests and seminarians of the FSSP and it was established with Papal Approval more than 15 years ago. It is known as the Confraternity of St. Peter.

The Confraternity of St. Peter is a sodality of members who wish to unite themselves to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and aid in the work of our Fraternity, primarily by their prayers. Already the ranks of the Confraternity of St. Peter include those from all walks of life and every level of the hierarchy of the Church. Clerical or Lay, there are many who, although they may not even have been able to meet an FSSP priest in person, nevertheless generously participate in the apostolic labors of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter by their daily prayers and sacrifices.

What a magnificent way Our Lord established His Church and the economy of salvation! Even if one thinks one has nothing to give, there is this beautiful chance to be a part of the spiritual family that seeks to sanctify priests and people by means of the Traditional Roman Liturgy, Sacraments, and Breviary in full communion with the See of St. Peter.

 

What is the Confraternity of Saint Peter?

It is a society which gathers those who feel close to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter and who wish to support its charism through prayers and sacrifices.

Thus, the Confraternity contributes to the service of the Church, through supporting numerous vocations, the sanctification of priests and their pastoral endeavors.

Members commit themselves to:

Every day:

1. pray one decade of the holy rosary for the sanctification of our priests and for our priestly vocations

2. recite the Prayer of the Confraternity

 Once a year:

3. have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered once for these intentions.

What spiritual benefit do members receive from the Confraternity?

Their commitments place the members among our most faithful benefactors, and as such, among the particular recipients of our priests’ and seminarians’ daily prayers.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered each month for the members of the Confraternity in each area. A project is under way to show members more of the fruits of their prayers.

How does one become a member?

1. Fill out an enrollment form at https://fssp.com/enroll-in-the-confraternity/

2. The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter will send to you in return the certificate of membership. The commitments take effect with the reception of the certificate.

3. Members must be Catholics who are at least 14 years of age.

4. Membership is purely spiritual and does not confer any rights or duties other than the spiritual support in prayer and charity in accord with the commitments described above.

5. By themselves the commitments do not bind under penalty of sin.

6. Membership and the commitments which follow it are tacitly renewed each year on the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter (February 22), unless expressly determined otherwise.

 

Daily Confraternity Prayer

Following a decade of the Rosary:

V. Remember, O Lord, Thy congregation.

R. Which Thou hast possessed from the beginning.

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus, born to give testimony to the Truth, Thou who lovest unto the end those whom Thou hast chosen, kindly hear our prayers for our pastors.

Thou who knowest all things, knowest that they love Thee and can do all things in Thee who strengthenest them.

Sanctify them in Truth. Pour into them, we beseech Thee, the Spirit whom Thou didst give to Thy apostles, who would make them, in all things, like unto Thee.

Receive the homage of love which they offer up to Thee, who hast graciously received the threefold confession of Peter.

And so that a pure oblation may everywhere be offered without ceasing unto the Most Holy Trinity, graciously enrich their number and keep them in Thy love, who art one with the Father and the Holy Ghost, to whom be glory and honor forever.

Amen.

 

Nihil obstat: Vic. Gen. FSSP, 05.II.2007

Imprimatur: Vic. Gen. Diœc. Laus. Gen. Frib., 28.II.2007