THE LOGO The grey letters stand for the worldwide fraternal society which is subordinate to the Catholic Faith and the content of all publications. The content - the Faith and the patron saint - is more important than the fraternal society. The logo becomes more easily readable due to the difference in grey tones. The black letters stand for the organization itself. The design seeks to express something of the organization’s core values, showing ourselves fully “in the light”. Ite Missa Est Introibo CONTENTS | < PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE > FSSPX MANUAL | page 6 1 September - October 2018 Newsletter of the SSPX in Great Britain and Scandinavia Introibo ad altare Dei. I will go in unto the altar of God. The first step of the journey to the priesthood is the decision to try a vocation. This is the hardest step for many, but the once the decision is made, all thoughts turn to the next step which is over the threshold of seminary. Taking the cassock on the Feast of the Presentation, Seminary of St. Curé d'Ars, Flavigny, France (2004) THE SHADOW The icon’s shadow gives us a strong, yet subtle corporate element. The two hearts now have a light shadow, fitting into the spacious lay-out. There is recognition, but with a light touch. The watermark is always present in the background but is not overt, just like Ite Missa Est Newsletter of the Society of St. Pius X the FSSPX. Again, the content is the most in Great Britain & Scandinavia Price: suggested donation £1 important factor, with the FSSPX staying To Order: request in writing or by email Publisher Society of Saint Pius X St. George‘s House in the background. 125 Arthur Road Wimbledon SW19 7DR United Kingdom +44 20 8946 7916 [email protected] District Superior Rev. Fr. Robert Brucciani Donation options (specify "St. Michael's School" if desired) 1. Cheque to: "The Society of Saint Pius X" at the above address 2. Standing Order: contact us for a form either: at the above address or: [email protected] or: www.fsspx.uk/en/donate-gb 3. Transfer to: Lloyds Bank plc Account: The Society of St. Pius X Account Number: 00279661 Sort Code: 30-99-80 BIC/SWIFT: LOYDGB21061 IBAN: GB07LOYD30998000279661 4. Paypal: [email protected] Please ask for a Gift Aid declaration form if you pay income tax or complete online form at www.fsspx.uk/en/donate-gb Internet fsspx.uk CONTENTS | < PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE > FSSPX MANUAL | page 7 THE SHADOW The icon’s shadow gives us a strong, yet subtle corporate element. The two hearts now have a light shadow, fitting into the spacious lay-out. There is recognition, but with a light touch. The watermark is always present in the background but is not overt, just like the FSSPX. Again, the content is the most important factor, with the FSSPX staying Operation Survival Editorial 6 Final address of the General Chapter 10 Founder's Spirit Conference 12 in the background. Letter from St. Michael's School 16 Spirituality Family Rosary 18 St. Peter Claver 22 Ite Missa Est Society of St. Pius X in Great Britain and Scandinavia Memories from Flavigny 26 Events and Announcements 32 Liturgical Calendar 40 Year Planner 2018 44 Mass Times 45 Addresses 46 5 CONTENTS | < PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE > FSSPX MANUAL | page 7 Editorial Introibo Entering seminary Rev. Fr. Robert Brucciani, District Superior The first step of the journey to the seminary or have been ordained, priesthood or the religious life is but somehow most have a different the decision to try a vocation. It is a temperament to our own; or, if they difficult decision because it pivotal: are kindred spirits, they curious- the direction of one's life changes ly end-up on the other side of the and, while not yet an irrevocable world in a remote apostolate; or, to decision, it will mark the rest one's our disappointment, they change life one way or another. It is a dif- during their formation so we know ficult decision because there is not them no longer. much to go on; there is not much upon which to base the decision. Young men and women need to im- Our ignorance of the priestly or agine themselves as priests and re- religious life is usually profound ligious to make the decision to try a when we start the journey, and our vocation, but most of the time there intimacy with priests and religious is simply is not enough data. It's not is usually only circumstantial and like marriage which is all around us distant when we cross the thresh- and comes easily to human nature; old. We have the example of the that decision can sometimes be too saints of course, but few have the easily made. grace to set their sights so high in all humility. There are also souls In happier times, it was different. we know who have recently entered Every church had a parish priest 6 September - October 2018 and a good number of curates: two, Particularly evocative is the de- three or four was not uncommon. scription of the day of Mgr. Robert Attached to every parish was at Hugh Benson's reception into the least one convent of nuns who may Church: have even run the primary school and a monastery was never too far "I do not suppose that anyone away. Priests and religious were ever entered the City of God everywhere to be seen. It was much with less emotion than mine. It easier for young man or woman to seemed to me that I was utterly find a model for their imagination without feeling; I had neither joy to work on. It is true that we have nor sorrow, nor dread nor ex- the beginnings of parish life at citement. There was the Truth, St. Michael's School, but it remains as aloof as an ice-peak, and I the only place in the whole of the had to embrace it. Never for one British Isles! single instant did I doubt that, nor, perhaps it is unnecessary to One obvious remedy to this prob- say, have I ever doubted it since. lem is for an aspirant to volunteer I tried to reproach myself with to help in a mission or monastery my coldness, but all fell quite or school. If you are made welcome flat. I was as one coming out of and participate in community life the glare of artificial light, out with generosity, then you can easily of warmth and brightness and imagine yourself among them. friendliness, into a pale daylight of cold and dreary certainty.' Another remedy is to read the biographies of great priests and It is not very glamorous, but it is religious who lived close to our own real. It teaches the valuable lesson time. For the priesthood, Confes- that following God's Will is not al- sions of a Convert by Mgr. Robert ways accompanied by champagne Hugh Benson, Fr. William Doyle and applause! S.J. by Alfred O'Rahilly, or Ronald Knox by Evelyn Waugh are good My own experience was similar: places to start. They are windows into the minds of great priests The day my arrival at the Semi- which show them to be human and nary of St. Curé d'Ars is remem- frail like ourselves. bered with great clarity. It was a 7 Editorial cold, drizzling and misty Sunday sealant ran across the pane to in October. After the flight to stop the draft. 6pm rosary was Charles de Gaulle and metro the first engagement. At least journey to Gare de l'Est, I board- I thought it was, for my under- ed an old, slow train eastwards. standing of French was limited. Tired, after lugging two heavy suitcases across Paris, it was a Kneeling in the chapel was a con- relief to sit in the almost empty solation. Here I was, in seminary carriage and let the fields and at last and here for good, but, as villages drift by the window and much as I tried, I could not im- my thoughts with them. Damp agine the future. The bell struck misty day began its turn to damp, six and I was still alone. Must dark dusk. The old world was left have been 6:30 then. behind, and the new world was obscure. I was last of the few who The first meal was the occasion alighted at Gare les Laumes - of the first humiliation. Attempts Alesia, where Vercingetorix made at introducing myself in incom- his last stand against the legions prehensible French were met of Julius Caesar in 52BC. He sur- with nervous bursts of laughter rendered, was held prisoner in by my new confrères who were the notorious Mamertine Prison still teenagers. in Rome for six years and was then publicly strangled. A reli- Awkwardness and isolation were gious brother was waiting for me dominant emotions of the first in a car and a ten minute journey few weeks, but later, it was clear up a winding road brought us to that this was all part of God's the seminary door as the light plan; the path to heaven runs faded. through the valley of darkness, but He is always there with rod The building was vast and cold and staff. and illuminated by fluorescent strip lights. I was shown my It was difficult at first, but as the room which was furnished with months passed, I knew that this was a metal bed, a table, chair, small where God wanted me to be and wardrobe and sink.