Presentation Through the Year 2011...

The purpose of this section "Through the Year..." is to present through images certain important events, but also "everyday" life in our Fraternity throughout the world.

December 8, 2011: Visit of Saint Nicholas in Lausanne (Switzerland)

This year, Saint Nicholas got a head-start on his visits to children by visiting the fifteen or so children who faihtfully attend catechism every Satuday morning at St Augustine's Chapel in Lausanne. (Perhaps he knew that he would, in fact, be quite busy in Fribourg on his feast-day, where he is the titular saint of the cathedral as well as the heavenly protector of the city and canton ?)

In waiting for the long-expected arrival of Saint Nicholas (a year is quite a long time when we are young), the adults and children present were able to discover the life of Saint Maximilan Kolbe, available on DVD in French and sold by the FSSP in France.

Finally, the great moment came where Saint Nicholas entered the room and he was welcomed in Lausanne by Fr. Durham, chaplain to the community. Each child could discover for himself, or herself, that Saint Nicholas already knew many things about them, especially if they had been well-behaved since his last visit. Of course, Saint Nicholas is always pleased to give something to well-behaved children, so each child received a small bag of sweets and chocolate... we do live in the land of chocolate ! Saint Nicholas also encouraged the children to persevere in prayer and to continue to work hard and learn their catechism.

After Saint Nicholas' departure (undoubtedly, he had to visit other children), the faithful were able to share in the buffet of refreshments that had been prepared in our small hall, which had been beautifully decorated for the occasion. Many thanks to those who helped to prepare such a beautiful visit.

November 24, 2011: Priestly ordination in Bettbrunn (Germany)

On the 19th of November, 2011, Christian Jäger was ordained priest by Walter Cardinal Brandmüller in the Church of Our Saviour in Bettbrunn, Bavaria. About sixty diocesan priests, for the most part friends of Fr. Jäger, insisted on attending the ordination. This was also the first FSSP ordination in Germany that took place outside of the seminary. Nevertheless, many Fraternity priests and seminarians served in the ordination ceremony: Fr. Banauch, rector of the FSSP seminary in Wigratzbad was the assistant priest, Fr. Calvin was the assistant to Fr. Jäger and the German District was also represented by its superior, Fr. Maußen, who was deacon of honour; and Frs. Conrad and Eichhorn as deacon and subdeacon for the Pontifical Mass. The polyphonic choir sang Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli, while the seminary choir, under the direction of Fr. Deneke, sang the Gregorian propers of the Mass.

The following day, Fr. Jäger celebrated his first Mass in the parish of Ansbach, and was warmly welcomed by the Parish Priest, who allowed this first Mass to be the Sunday Mass of the parish.

November 10, 2011: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 16-28 October, 2011

Thrity-two faithful from Fribourg, Lausanne and Bulle have just returned from a thirteen day pilgrimage in the Holy Land, organised by the FSSP in French-speaking Switzerland. The chaplain, Fr. Arnaud Evrat took care of the spiritual and sacramental needs of the faithful; while Mr Bernard Geoffroy, a French guide who has lived in Israel for many years, was able to share his vast biblical knowledge, as well as his personal testimony as a Christian, with our pilgrims.

The pilgrimage began in Egypt, with the crossing of the Sinai desert and a stop at Saint Catherine's Monastery, at the foot of the famous Mount Moses. The braver members of the group undertook a night-time ascension of the mount, in order to be at the summit to see the sun rise over the desert. Crossing into Israel, the pilgrims continued their journey through the Negev desert, heading north towards the well-known regions of Judea, Samaria and Galilee.

The pilgrims were able to visit most of the holy places and they even travelled to the source of the River Jordan, on the frontier of Lebanon and Syria. Of course, the final destination was Jerusalem for the remaining days.

After having visited and paryed at the Mount of the Beatitudes, Capharnaum, Cana, Jericho (under Zachaeus' sycomore tree), Bethany, the Upper Room of the Last Supper, Golgotha and the Holy Sepulchre, it can be said that it has truly been an unforgettable experience, that will help our pilgrims to read and understand the Gospels in a whole new light. Hopefully, it has also been a life.-changing experience for our intrepid travellers.

Photos of the Pilgrimage can be seen at www.fssp.ch/fr

November 1, 2011: Our Apostoate in Tours, France

In October 2010, the Fraternity began an apostolate in a charming suburban church of Tours, in Saint-Pierre-Ville. At present, this church serves the city centre and is part of the Cathedral deanery. In the past, a group of faithful obtained the permission of the bishop for a Mass to be celebrated in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite by one of its priests. At first, the Masses were monthly and then later, every Sunday. Since 2010, we have had to replace the celebrant from our house in Bouloire, due to the health of the former celebrant. An agreement has now been signed between the diocese and the FSSP in order to provide for the many facets of our priestly ministry in Tours.

October 14, 2011: New Parish in Tyler, Texas

On Sunday, May 1st, 2011, St. Joseph the Worker Mission, the FSSP apostolate,  in Tyler, Texas, welcomed the Most Reverend Alvaro Corrada del Rio, SJ, Bishop of Tyler.  His Excellency blessed the renovated sanctuary, erected our apostolate as a personal parish of the Diocese of Tyler, and named and installed Fr. Scott W. Allen, FSSP, as the first pastor.  Bishop Corrada also celebrated the Missa cantata, the first Mass for the new parish.

Following the Mass, Bishop Corrada, clergy and faithful concluded the festivities with a banquet in the parish hall, which was beautifully decorated to express our joy and to demonstrate our gratitude to good St. Joseph, who has faithfully watched over us in all our needs throughout the years.

After a delicious meal, the parishioners greeted Bishop Corrada and expressed their thankfulness to him for his fatherly care of our community from its beginnings in 2003, and in particular for the great blessings of the day.  As a token of our esteem and gratitude, the parish presented a spiritual bouquet to the bishop, who, in little more than two months' time would be named by Pope Benedict XVI as the next bishop of the Diocese of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

October 7, 2011: Patronal Feast in Saint-Michel d'Ingouville, Le Havre, France

Sunday 2 October, 2011 - First Patronal Feast in our new church of Saint-Michel d'Ingouville, in Le Havre. About 80 faithful attended the Mass of St. Michael the Archangel, which was celebrated by Fr. Arnaud de Boisse, Fssp, in the architectural splendour of the church that dates back to the 15th century. In thanksgiving, the Te Deum was solemnly entoned, marking the end of a magnificent ceremony. Those present were warmly invited to the aperitif that followed. The Parish priest, Fr. Golfier was kind enough to be among us and exchanged a few words with each person. Unfortunately, Fr. Pierre Gaudray, native of Le Havre was not among us on this joyful occasion; as he is still kept busy, at his age, with his work at the seminary in Wigratzbad.

October 5, 2011: New apostolate in Valence, France

Since the 3rd of September, Holy Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman rite has been celebrated in the church of Notre Dame, in Valence, France. This has been made possible through the warm welcome given by Bishop Jean-Christophe Lagleize, who has entrusted the Sunday celebration of Holy Mass to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. At the moment, it is Fr. Jean-Cyrille Sow, Fssp, who is the main celebrant. The church of Notre Dame, located in the city centre, is a 19th century church that is both beautiful and colourful, which makes it inviting and a place where the Tridentine liturgy finds itself at home. Many families and people of all ages make up the actual faithful, as well as the children who are offered weekly catechism. The celebration of the feast of Saint Apollinarius, principal patron of the diocese, at the beginning of October, was also an occasion to give thanks for the many promising signs with regard to the development of this new apsotolate.

September 28, 2011: Events of the summer

Often the summer months are a relatively quiet time in parishes.  With many of the faithful away on holidays it is also a time when groups and activities are in recess at our apostolates.  But these months are filled with some of the most intense work for our priests and seminarians in camps, on pilgrimages, for first Masses of the newly ordained, and even academic pursuits.  The following photos give a glimpse of just a few of these activities:

Fr. Sven Conrad, FSSP is received in audience by Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of the meeting of the Neuer Schülerkreis Joseph Ratzinger in Castel Gandolfo;  Fr. William Lawrence, following the reception of a pontifical licentiate in theology professes the Oath of Fidelity before the Rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fr. Joseph Bisig, FSSP; Dr. John Pepino and Dr. Sebastian Carnazzo, profess the Oath of Fidelity at the start of the academic year of OLGS;  Dr. Terrence Nollen and Dr. Dennis McInerny make the Oath with the rest of the seminary professors of OLGS.

Priests and seminarians prepare the site for Camp Notre-Dame de Grace in France;  Mass is offered at the chapel of Camp Notre Dame de Grace; Catechism at Camp St. Isaac Jogues in Pennsylvania; Seminarians and campers take a break during a hike at Camp St. Isaac Jogues.

Fr. Marek Grabowski offers a first Mass at the Cappella Civica della Beata Vergine del Rosario in Trieste; Following the Mass of the Assumption, Mgr. Guido Pozzo, Secretary of PCED and Don Stefano Canonico, Parish Administrator with the ministers;  Procession for Vespers of the Assumption.

Priests of the French District walk the grounds of Le Barroux prior to  the retreat; A monk of Le Barroux gives the Fraternity priests a tour of the Monastery; The preacher of the retreat, Mgr. Jean-Pierre Ravotti with the Abbot of Le Barroux and some of the retreatants; Abbot Louis-Marie speaks with Fr. Patrick du Faÿ, Vicar General of the Fraternity of St. Peter.

September 28, 2011: Pilgrimage to Ars for the opening of the year of St. Peter Seminary, Wigratzbad, September 10 and 11

In the month of September, many different vehicles begin to arrive in a small French village: Having come from all over France, the seminarians from Wigratzbad are meeting in Ars. They are gathered there to invoke its former pastor, who was unrelenting in his zeal for souls; in order that through the intercession of Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, this new academic year may be rich in graces, without which no one could dare to follow in the footsteps of Christ. As seminarians, we are gathered here in Ars with our eyes opened to the reason for our presence in Ars and in the world: the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Such is the program of our two-day pilgrimage, where the solemn offices are in unison with the pilgrims‘march, and with the pilgrims, who are united to us in prayer.
Sunday’s sun shines on us, tempered only by a few clouds, as we walk from Trevoux to Ars, and its Chapel of Mercy. There, the Perpetual Sacrifice is offered at the altar by Fr. Chanut, a seminary professor, who also enlightens us with his reflections on the Sunday Gospel. The pilgrimage ends with the final blessing and it is again time to continue our journey towards the seminary. Following the course of the Rhone river, a convoy of vehicles advances into the night, heading towards their destination in Bavaria, namely, the international seminary of the FSSP in Wigratzbad. Far removed from the wiles of the world, it is all but another temporary stop, in the life of those seminarians who hope to, one day, to give back something of God to the world.

September 13, 2011: The chapel of our Apostolate in Colombia is finished and has been consecrated!

After twelve months of work, the chapel of our mission in Anolaima, Colombia, was solemnly consecrated on May 28th.  The Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Rev. Fr. John Berg, travelled to Colombia to be present for this important occasion. Also in attendance, were more than 400 people from Anolaima, Bogotá and the surrounding villages. During his trip, the Superior General also noted the changes made since his last canonical visitation in October 2009. The Bishop, who could not be present on the 28th, honored us by a previous visit on June 10th for the consecration of the altar and the bells. With another large crowd assembled for the event, the Bishop took the opportunity to visit our school and gave us the opportunity to thank him publicly for this great blessing as well as for making it possible to nurture the town of Anolaima through the benefits of an authentic catholic school.
Having our own chapel and the arrival of the Blessed Sacrament mark considerable development after 5 years of presence in Anolaima. It is a blessing from God and we would like to thank Him and all of you, our benefactors, for making it possible to achieve this goal, which is not only important, but vital in our priestly life. Now we can celebrate Mass in a place worthy of our Lord. Now, we can share this treasure with our faithful and especially with the children of the school through weekly Mass and daily prayer in the chapel.

July 5, 2011: Solemnity of Corpus Christi in Lausanne (Switzerland)

On Sunday 26 June, the Community of Saint-Augustin in Lausanne celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, with a Solemn HIgh Mass celebrated by Fr. Marek Grabowski, FSSP, who was recently ordained in Cracow on the 4th of June. The deacon of the Mass was Fr. Jérôme Bücker, FSSP, and the subdeacon was Fr. Benjamin Durham, chaplain of the FSSP apostolate in Lausanne. It was a twofold joy for our community as it was not only the occasion of Fr. Grabowski's first solemn Mass in Lausanne, but also the First Holy Communion of one of young faithful, whose family is Polish. Many of his relatives travelled from Poland to celebrate the occasion and to participate in our small procession in honour of Our Lord Jesus Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament. Ad majorem Dei gloriam!

June 18, 2011: Parish Mission in Lyon (France), March 23-27, 2011

There are certain times in the life of a community when its pastors consider that there is a need to call souls to a deeper conversion; this was the sole purpose of the important, five day parochial mission organized by the Fraternity of St. Peter at St. Padre Pio House in Francheville.  It was patterned after the missions preached in parishes in the 18th and 19th centuries.  Fr. Alain Hocquemiller, Prior of the Sainte-Croix de Riaumont, came to preach it.  A solemn reception at the entrance of the chapel of the House was followed by the singing of the Veni Creator.  The daily program was: sung Mass, predication (one evening for the women, another evening for the men, and more frequently for all), and Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament until midnight during which time the priests would take turns hearing confessions.  Throughout the time of the mission there were over 25 hours of confessions heard.  The Stations of the Cross, which were done with great solemnity, also made a great impression upon souls.  The final day, a penitential procession crowned these days of grace, of which God alone knows its ultimate fruits.

June 6,2011: Pontifical Mass with Bishop Huonder at Rheinau, June 2nd 2011

The magnificent church from the abbey on Saint-Fintan-Rheinau Island (Switzerland) was packed. It was a pleasure to see there were among the participants many young people and children. The Bishop of the Diocese (Coire), Bishop Vitus Huonder, celebrated the Pontifical Mass assisted by the seminary of Wigratzbad (FSSP). The musical part was done by the Catholic boarding school "Collegium Musicuum" (www.s-cm.eu) located in the black forest (Germany). During the reception (coffee and cake) following the Mass, it was possible to see many happy faces because of the event. And if next year you want to be there, please note already the date: May 17 2012, at 2:00 p.m.

May 27, 2011: A Recollection for Families in Sées (France)

On March 26th and 27th 2011, a recollection for families was held at the College “Croix des Vents”, in Sees. The recollection attracted a total of almost 150 participants: 25 families and 80 children (from 3 months to 14 years old). The weekend was organized by Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in collaboration with Domus Christiani. During the two-day recollections, the parents were able to benefit from lessons, times of prayer, confessions and conferences. Depending on their age, the children were looked after by child-minders or were placed in small groups for activities combining games with religious instruction. Priests, seminarians, and religious from various communities were on hand with Fr. Pozzetto (FSSP), giving testimony to the vitality and the diversity of the Ecclesia Dei communities: Canonesses Regular of the Mother of God, Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrier, Canons Regular of the Mother of God, and the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Also present was a diocesan priest, Fr. Lourdelet (who has been the brave parish priest of Belloy in France for more than 50 years), and who celebrated the 67th anniversary of his priestly ordination, in the company of the many attendees. Fr. Lourdelet was ordained priest on March 25, 1944 in Versailles and the celebration of this special event was an excellent example of priestly fidelity for all who were present!

Let us give thanks for the spiritual fruits that the particpants of the recollection were able to receive on this occasion.

May 24, 2011: Easter Triduum 2011 in England

We had a very splendid Mass for Maundy Thursday at the Church of St William of York, Reading with the Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP). After processing the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose and the Stripping of the Altars, Compline was sung by the clergy. An FSSP seminarian, Rev. James Mawdsley, joined us  as subdeacon, making High Mass possible. Father Armand de Malleray was Celebrant, and Fr. Simon Leworthy, Deacon. The Rev. James Mawdsley, a seminarian at the FSSP’s Wigratzbad seminary, is part-sponsored by the LMS, as are the other English and Welsh students at the seminary.

The numbers attending throughout the Sacred Triduum were good and reflect the continued growth of the community - between 70 and 90 each day, with a 130 peak on Good Friday. The schola was composed of local faithful with extra voices coming in from some ways away – including Cdr Neville McNally RN, of the Schola Sancti Nicholae from Portsmouth. The schola was led by Martin Martinez. Tenebrae were sung on every day of the Triduum. The MC was Thomas O'Sullivan from Oxford. On Easter day, after solemn high Mass celebrated by Fr Leworthy, a second solemn high Mass was offered for the faithful in Flitwick, our second Sunday Mass centre, north of London. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.

May 10, 2011: Renovated Chapel in Versailles, France

This year in Versailles Holy Week took place at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. This former chapel of the Poor Clares had been converted for a time into a conference room, but following its recent renovation has now returned to its original beauty. This certainly contributed much to the piety, which marked the ceremonies of Holy Week. Despite the school holidays, nearly fifty altar servers glorified God through their attentive service. The community of Versailles enjoyed this year the presence of Fr. Alban Cras, FSSP, whose lectures throughout the holy days prepared the souls very well for the celebration of the mysteries of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. May the fruits of the Holy Triduum continue to grow in everyone.

April 13, 2011: News of our construction in Wigratzbad!

Almost exactly ten years after the building and the blessing of Saint Peter seminary (in the year 2000), we decided to start in 2010 the construction of a new wing of 30 rooms, which will be dedicated to Saint John Mary Vianney. This new building became necessary with the increase in vocations for us these past years.
To give you a little update on the completed work, the roof was put on the walls just before winter hit, allowing the workers to start the interior finishing during the "snowy" season. The outside of the wing was just painted last week, and the small balconies of the rooms are going to be installed within a few days.
There is, however, a great amount of work to be done on the interior before June 29, our patronal feast day, which is the day we would like this new wing to be blessed by the bishop.
This wing is going to be used for the first time on July 2nd, the day of our priestly ordinations this year, allowing many of our guest priests to stay at the seminary. We foresee that it will already be filled with seminarians at the start of next fall.

It will be then be time to start paying the various bills. All the donations, from very small amounts to larger ones, are very welcome to help us in this task! Please know that we pray everyday at the seminary for the intentions of our benefactors:
Priesterseminar St. Petrus
Volksbank Allgäu West eG
BLZ 65092010
Konto Nr. 38 190 010
BIC: GENODES1WAN       IBAN: DE24 6509 2010 0038 1900 10

March 5, 2011:  Blessing and First Mass at St. Benedict's Chapel in Chesapeake, Virginia

On Saturday, March 5, 2011, Bishop Francis DiLorenzo of the Diocese of Richmond blessed the new Chapel of Saint Benedict for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in Chesapeake, Virginia in the Extraordinary Form. This project began many years ago to accommodate the ever growing number of faithful in the area who attend the chapel.  Thanks to the sacrifices an hard work of its faitfhul, they now have a beautiful church.

Following the blessing of the chapel, Fr. Neal Nichols, FSSP (Chaplain) offered the first Solemn High Mass in the chapel, assisted by Fr. Eric Flood, FSSP (North American Superior of the FSSP) as Deacon, and Fr. Peter Byrne, FSSP (Assistant Chaplain) as Subdeacon.