What are we? A few figures...


Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP)
Last update November 24, 2006

Vocations: over the last 7 years, 1 new priest every 3 weeks in the FSSP.

40 first year seminarians have been admitted in our seminaries in 2006.
14 priests have been ordained for the FSSP in 2006, 10 of whom had been formed in our English-speaking seminary.

Priestly ordinations in the FSSP over the last 7 years (2000-2006)(B)
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Average
Total(A) 12 15 12 19 17 7 14(D) 96/7=13,71
From the USA 5 4 6 2 8 3 3 31/7=4,42(C)

Comments:
A) One should add to those figures the number of priests ordained not in the FSSP, who have joined us afterwards, since 2000. Altogether, a monthly average indicates an increase of 1 new priest every 3 weeks in the FSSP over the last 7 years.
B) The 14 priests ordained in 2006 in the FSSP represent the 9 following nationalities: American, Australian, British, Canadian, French, Polish, Russian, Austrian, Danish. Such a diversity of origins shows the universal appeal of the traditional priesthood currently offered by the FSSP.
C) This average 4,42 American priests (U.S.A.) ordained each year amounts to 32,23% of the global average. About 40% of the priests ordained in the FSSP every year originate from North America (plus UK and Australia).
D) Out of the 4 ceremonies of priestly ordination for our 14 FSSP candidates in 2006 : 3 were performed by the diocesan bishop in his own diocese (this happened on 3 different continents - a very strong sign of the support granted to the charism of the FSSP by local ordinaries all over the world): Bishop Bruskewitz in Lincoln, U.S.A. (America); Bishop Schwarz in Linz, Austria (Europe) ; Archbishop Wilson in Adelaide, Australia (Oceania); 1 was performed by a Cardinal from Curia: Cardinal Medina-Estevez, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in Wigratbad, Germany.
Deo gratias. Thank you for your prayer and support for saintly priestly vocations.
Our seminarians and priests pray for you too!


Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP)
Last update March 2, 2006

Brief history:

· 18 July 1988: Founded as a clerical society of apostolic life
· Liturgical books used: Roman Missal, Ritual, Pontifical and Breviary in force in 1962
· July 1988: Private audiences with Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Ratzinger
· 18 October 1988 : Erected as of pontifical right by the Holy See
· Easter 1990: Cardinal Ratzinger visits the motherhouse (in Wigratzbad, Bavaria) and offers Mass in the Traditional rite
· 1995: first personal parish entrusted to the FSSP
· 12 September 1999: Pope John Paul II blesses a first stone and a crucifix for the two new FSSP seminaries in Europe and in America
· 8 October 1999; 20 October 2001: the Superior General delivers an address at the Synods of Bishops in Rome
· December 2000; June 2002June 2005: Cardinal Castrillon-Hoyos, President of the Ecclesia Dei Commission and Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, comes to bless the new Saint-Peter Seminary and to ordain FSSP priests
· 29 June 2003: Definitive approval of the Constitutions by the Holy See

Members:

· Total: 300
· Priests: 180
· Deacons: 13
· Seminarians: 107
· Members’ average age: 33 years
· Deceased members: 4
· Nationalities: 25

Vocations:

· International seminaries: 2
· Preparatory seminaries: 2
· Bishops having conferred the Holy Orders: 33; including Cardinals: 7
· Number of ceremonies of ordinations: 94; including 48 performed by bishops in their own dioceses
· Year 2005:
 - Applications received: 73
 - New seminarians admitted: 34
 - Seminarians sent by and for their dioceses: 3

Increase:

· Initial numbers in July 1988:
 - 12 members
 - 12 places of apostolate in 4 European countries
· Years of existence: 17
· Average increase per year:
 - New members (global) per year: 16,94
 - New clerics (priests and deacons only)
     per year: 10,64
 - Foundations (new houses of apostolate)
     per year: 5,82

Locations:

· Places of residence: 77
· Located in: 4 continents; 17 countries
· Dioceses served: 85
 - Europe: 49
 - America: 30
 - Oceania: 4
 - Africa: 2
· Canonically erected houses: 22
· Personal parishes: 6
· Sunday Mass centres: 111

Specific ministries:

· School chaplaincies: 21
· Youth apostolate:
 - FSSP members presents in Germany at the latest WYD: 51
 - Number of annual camps, retreats and pilgrimages for youth: 17
· Military chaplains: 5
· Hospital chaplains: 5
· Preachers of spiritual exercises: 10
· Priests forming seminarians: 26

[Source: General House FSSP; www.fssp.org]