O Brother, Who Art Thou?

hen Lefebvre of the Most High, they spend their lives communities.” Whether in a priory or at a garden, and a fine orchard), devoted founded the Priestly Society assisting at the altar, striving by devotion the Seminary, not being bound by all the themselves to works of art, and assisted the Wof Saint Pius X some forty to the Liturgy to make real in their own apostolic duties of the priest, the brother is secretary with the Seminary’s office work, years ago, he always made clear that lives the Sacrifice enshrined therein, while always there. He sings the offices, serves the to give just a few examples. Finally, most the whole purpose of the SSPX was the at the same time consecrating themselves Masses, and prays the Rosary in common, brothers spend quite a while in the sacristy, preservation and tradition of the Catholic entirely to Jesus by the religious vows. giving an example of religious regularity a singularly appropriate place for a religious priesthood. Every element of the Society, Outside of the liturgical exercises that to the rest of the community. Although it is consecrated to the service of the altar. from its statutes to its external apostolate, punctuate their days, the brothers have difficult to be virtuous alone, the difficulty Such is the life of a Society brother, aims at this ideal, and anything that does also their private devotions, particularly vanishes to a large degree when it becomes such the beauty of his vocation as the not revolve around the priesthood in some the fifteen-decade Rosary, to strew their part of the everyday practice of one’s Archbishop, our founder, intended it. Would way does not belong in the Society. “But family. Thus, the brothers contribute, by that more young men could see the beauty of taking all of this for granted, where,” living their vows of poverty, chastity, and this vocation and respond with a resounding one may ask, “do the brothers fit in?” obedience, to the community’s religious “Yes!” when they receive the call. As This question underlies many of spirit as a whole. After all, they are truly Archbishop Lefebvre himself remarked, the misconceptions about the brothers, brothers in the family of the SSPX, and such vocations “require a spirit of faith misconceptions which do them little justice just as brothers in a Christian family which is tending to disappear in a world and explain in large degree the small share in the joys and trials of one another, wholly obsessed with human advancement.” number of young men willing to answer to so they provide support and virtuous However, the tide is starting to turn as men this vocation; few really appreciate their companionship to their brothers, the priests. realize what this vocation is all about and At the Seminary in particular, future prejudice against the brothers dissipates, priests and brothers of the Society are and it is encouraging to see that the number “The Society brothers, like the formed side by side, and thereby each of aspirants to this unique form of religious Levites of the Old Testament, gets to know what the other is all about. life is on the rise. Let us pray that these Here, too, the brothers provide seminarians men, the right hands of our priests, may ever devote their lives to God in the with a shining example of piety and strict grow in virtue and in numbers, receiving at service of His priests.” observance of the rule, and can often be seen last the just recompense of their service. Br. Giuseppe does his best to counter the in the chapel outside of the normal times unsightly tarnish on liturgical items. set aside for prayer. It is easy to see that the purpose. Granted, it can be difficult to see it, brothers are religious when they live, pray, as the brothers don’t have a precise sphere path of life with continual reminders of eat, work, and recreate with the community, of action, being in many priories sort of the presence of their Lord. Lastly come letting charity and the vows guide them at religious jacks-of-all-trades, but there is a the particular works of each brother, all all times. Their specific duties, instead of common thread in all their actions. That of which contribute, directly or indirectly, drawing them away from the community common thread is again the priesthood, to the furtherance of the apostolate. In and religious observance, only lend a exclusive purpose of the Society, to the exchange for their multifarious services healthy balance of activity to their inner life, furtherance of which the brother devotes they receive, not money, but a great store for it is the consecrated soul who is truly himself. In this light, their unique vocation of grace in Heaven, the peace of perfect joy able to do all things for the glory of God. is not simply understandable; it is highly that comes from the consecrated life, and These duties take as many different forms exalted, and their place in the Society all the material sustenance they require. as there are aptitudes among the various as a whole is clear. It is additionally the Here again is a definite parallel to the brothers. Besides their regular Seminary key to their place in priory and Seminary Levites who, although their service was role as part-time cooks, a necessity if the alike, as well as to the infinite variety of more hereditary than properly voluntary, community is to eat when the regular tasks they perform in the apostolate. shared with the priest the offerings made chef clocks out, the brothers undertake a The Society brothers, like the Levites by the faithful for his sustenance. tremendous variety of occupations. They of the Old Testament, are men who devote As he says so aptly in the Society’s have been in charge of making hosts for the their lives to God in the service of His rule, Archbishop Lefebvre intended the Holy Sacrifice, worked on the upkeep of the priests. Always present about the Tabernacle brothers to be “guardian angels of their extensive grounds (furnished with beehives, Seminary vintner, Br. Stanislaus, harvests the fruits of his labor. The Faith, Tradition, The Founder: Acts of the Magisterium

Celebrating 40 Years of SSPX History ome, its monuments decaying with Roman faith of all time, unity with all the the ages, has become a symbol throughout history, who as Vicars of to Archbishop Lefebvre. In essence, he Fellay then proceeded to show that the conference with some brief remarks of the worldly glory that withers Christ have made authoritative statements said that those who have received so Archbishop Lefebvre not only exposed the about the present relationship between R and fades, yet it also always remains the for the building of a profound, living faith much from Archbishop Lefebvre and the root of the modern crisis, but at the same the authorities in Rome and the Society. permanent symbol of faith and unity. A among all Catholics, and have expounded Society of St. Pius X must go beyond time, also gave the solution: “the deep and Citing a number of specific examples, His young , studying the true principles of Catholic thought. No mere words in this gratitude, by remaining immutable spirit of the Catholic priesthood Excellency showed that there are many for the priesthood in this one can seriously claim to combat error if he firm in the combat for the Catholic Faith. and of the Christian spirit.” Therefore, contradictions in the Vatican’s very city, could hear is not imbued with Romanitas, this spirit of Following Fr. Rostand, the seminarians only priestly and Christian sanctification present attitude toward Tradition. a constant echo: submission to the perennial Magisterium. were justifiably proud to hear their own can bring about the end of the present The Saturday conferences “Sentire cum Seminarians tackle this important professor, Fr. Juan Carlos Iscara, deliver chaos, and such sanctification is absolutely concluded with a formal ecclesia (Think course in the year of spirituality, thus an enlightening historical discourse on the impossible without a profound life of prayer. dinner and a slide show with the emphasizing the necessity of an interior papacy in the life of Archbishop Lefebvre. of highlights from the Church). life founded on sound doctrine. Having deally, an anniversary is much more Next morning found the seminanians Society’s forty-year Rome has lived in a world soaked by Liberalism, than a time for gifts, parties, and toasts. and the other seven hundred or so history, narrated by spoken; Naturalism, and Modernism, they It ought to be an opportunity to examine attendees once again listening eagerly, Dr. Andrew Childs. I we must have unwittingly absorbed much of the past and apply the lessons learned from this time to an admirable conference When the hearken to these false doctrines. Everlasting it to the coming future. All Saints’ Day, by Mr. John Vennari, editor of Catholic event reconvened on her voice.” Rome speaks the truth, and the study 2010 marked the fortieth anniversary of Family News, on the action taken by Sunday afternoon, The of the Magisterium is a powerful means Furthermore, the teachings of the From ancient ruins to papal teaching, no one the official founding of the Society of St. the Archbishop during Vatican II to Fr. Cyprian, OSB, Society of of expurgating these errors from the great anti-liberal popes are particularly knows Rome like Acts professor Fr. Iscara. Pius X; throughout the year, therefore, the prevent its deviation. Fr. Kenneth Novak superior of the St. Pius X minds of aspiring priests. Moreover, it essential to our times because this is houses and districts of the Society organized followed by speaking on the Archbishop’s Benedictine monks claims unity establishes the true principles: Church the era of the triumph of Revolutionary future priest cannot content himself various commemorative events to celebrate fidelity to the Mass, and then Fr. Scott of Silver City, New with the faith and state must be united and complement principles. Because of this, modern with presenting the truth, but must hate this milestone in the life of the Church. In Gardner elucidated the Archbishop’s Mexico, gave a of all time; each other; freedom is much more men, traditional Catholics included, error and attack it whenever he can. the United States District, this celebration doctrinal objections to the Council. fascinating account of consequently, than doing whatever one wants, it is are immersed in Liberalism and are, Finally, the student of the Acts of took the form of a weekend series of In the afternoon, the event’s keynote Archbishop Lefebvre’s Archbishop abiding in the good; religion and faith to a greater or lesser extent, children the Magisterium seeks the spirit of his conferences in Kansas City, Missouri speaker, Society of St. Pius X Superior role as “savior of the Lefebvre are not just internal feelings; rather, of the Revolution. Revolutionary founder and father, Archbishop Lefebvre. lasting from October 15th to 17th. Three General Bishop Bernard Fellay took religious life.” Then followed insisted on a deep they abide in the truth. Such is what the principles, teaching that man is utterly Indeed, he shines as an excellent model priests, a brother, and fourteen seminarians the podium. Quoting two sentences of a rousing talk by Fr. Michael understanding of all the Church has taught, therefore to such independent ­in his intelligence, in his of the true Roman spirit and of judgment from St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary made Archbishop Lefebvre’s last written work, McMahon, who spoke on the place of popes have said in regard do the seminarians learn to adhere. will, and in his sentiments, pervert man’s of all things in union with the Church the drive from Winona to be present. Spiritual Journey, His Excellency cut to Archbishop Lefebvre called his priests and education in the mission of the Archbishop to the problems infecting the Catholics are Romans by faith sense of his own nature. The luminous of all time. After completing the course, The eight conferences focused on the heart of the fundamental cause of the seminarians, together with all the faithful of and the Society, thereby concluding the Church today, especially Liberalism and and must listen to the voice of Christ teaching of the popes facilitates the the seminarian hopes to be imbued with the life and work of the Society’s venerable present crisis in the Church. Archbishop Catholic Tradition, to cooperate in ending conferences proper. All that remained was Modernism. He dedicated a class called speaking through His Vicars. This class seminarian’s rectification of this disorder the spirit of the Magisterium, and to be founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Lefebvre clearly saw that ignorance of Jesus the crisis in the Church by becoming saints the closing speech by Fr. Rostand, who Acts of the Magisterium to imparting these develops an internal ear for the teachings by grounding him firmly in reality. able to repeat with true Catholics of all In the introductory conference, U.S. Christ and the failure to put His Kingship through the exercise of a true interior life. It took the opportunity to announce that this papal teachings in his seminaries. Indeed, of our Father in Rome. A Catholic, and The study of the Roman Pontiffs ages the essential axiom of the Roman District Superior Fr. Arnaud Rostand set at the center of all activity destroyed the was distraction from God and from His work October symposium would be henceforth the Archbishop himself taught the class for especially a priest, cannot be a so-called also imparts the true spirit of the Church spirit: Roma locuta est, causa finita the tone for the weekend by explaining sense of God in the Church and wrought that caused Vatican II in the first place; if we an annual event, and that the theme for a time at the seminary of Ecône, helping “freethinker,” but must accept the voice of Militant. Their documents breathe a (Rome has spoken, the matter is closed). the virtue of gratitude and its application the evil of the . desire a restoration, it must come through next year will be Christ the King. seminarians to achieve unity with the Rome as the infallible echo of the truth. spirit of all-out war against error. The human instruments who have restored The seminarians returned to Winona God to his rightful place in their lives. pleased with a deeper appreciation and Following this powerful appeal to the understanding of their founder and their practice of the interior life, Bishop Fellay Society. Despite the tiring travel and their continued his conference by addressing varied responsibilities at the Seminary, Obedience Calls the question of how Archbishop Lefebvre, they cannot help hoping to return in 2011. obviously a bishop committed to Christ Fidelity to the past and to Archbishop ou must sacrifice yourself, assignment after his 1978 ordination was to transfer to Africa, seminarians can recall that and His Church, became so controversial. Lefebvre’s legacy is impossible if Christ otherwise there is no love.” found the district of Spain, the beginning Father only showed his characteristic spirit His Excellency demonstrated that those the King does not reign in society, and a “YThese words spoken by our of the Society’s presence in that country. of cheerful submission to the Divine plan. who have opposed the Archbishop on both weekend of conferences centered on His great founder Archbishop Lefebvre echoed This foundation inaugurated a life of Arriving at the Seminary on sides held the same fundamentally flawed reign should prove a priceless opportunity truly at the departure from the Seminary of transfers in which his own preference or sabbatical after more than twenty-five notions regarding obedience. He then closed for the sons of such a spiritual father. Fr. Philippe Pazat. In the annual round of even knowledge of the language was rarely years of priesthood, Father soon became transfers and re-assignments that occurs at taken into professor of Canon Law and, with the the start of the school year, Fr. Pazat, Novice consideration, transfer of the Novitiate Master of the Society Brothers’ Novitiate and thus to Winona, shouldered The Vows of the Brothers and Professor of Pastoral Theology and that simple the burden of Novice Canon Law, was transferred to the SSPX’s yet profound Master. Drawing from hile we are all called to live We are all called to live in a spirit of wages, for his treasure is all in Heaven. priory in Kenya in east Africa. After his statement of the his own long experience our life, no matter what we poverty. We may possess and enjoy created In this age of shameless license, long stay in the United States, capped Archbishop given and knowledge of Church Wdo, for the honor and glory of goods, but we cannot allow ourselves the world needs to know that we are all by five years at the Seminary, this latest above became teaching, he gave a number God, the religious vows are a more perfect to be inordinately attached to them. Our called to a spotless purity. Chastity is transfer will be a major change and will his battle cry. of spiritual conferences to consecration of self to one’s Creator. The hearts should always be set on Heaven, indeed an obligation for every Christian. have its share of difficulties. However, he Sadly, some the seminarians on subjects SSPX brother, like any religious, abandons and not weighed down by the things of The word “chastity” is closely bound to knows that the prayers of the seminarians priests have left ranging from the early all vestiges of worldly ambition, attachment, this world. By the vow of poverty, the the words of St Paul, “I chastise my body are with him; they remember him not the Society and history of the Society of “Preach the word: be instant in season, and honor, leaving himself completely brother promises to be actually poor for and bring it into subjection.” It simply only for what he has done here, but also even the priesthood Saint Pius X to the Catholic out of season.” (2 Tim. 4:2). at the disposal of God. He accepts the the sake of the Kingdom of God. He has means that we must reject all sins of the for the priestly example he gave them. because they disliked the spirit in playing sports. precept of Christ to “go, sell all that you no possessions that are his own, for his flesh and live in conformity to the laws As one of the old guard of Society new posts to which they were Moreover, during his tenure, a The transfer of a Seminary professor have, and come follow me”, making vows heart is possessed completely by God. laid down by the Church regarding purity. priests, Father has had a long and storied transferred. On the other hand, great number of seminarians and is always a sad occasion, requiring various of poverty, chastity and obedience. His work is not rewarded by earthly By a vow of chastity, the brother goes career in the Society. Once trained as a throughout his career, Fr. Pazat has looked brothers profited from this vast adjustments as the seminarians he directed further than this. He foregoes the legitimate paratrooper, he has lived on the front lines to the good of the Church through obedience experience and profoundly Catholic look for a new spiritual director and other goods of marriage and a family. He lives of the battle for Tradition. In fact, his first to his superiors, and with his most recent spirit by choosing him as their director professors take on his classes. Yet, more truly as a child of God. All his concerns of conscience. Finally, he will be long than that, it means the departure of a man are thus for God and His Kingdom. remembered for his central role in who has been a father to the seminarians We are all, not just called to Br. Leonard renews his temporary vows reviving the Seminary’s beehives. and a brother to the other priests. Certainly, obedience, but obliged to it. We must for a period of three years. Of course, classes and spiritual it is consoling to know that the faithful obey Almighty God through His Church. direction are only a part of Seminary in Kenya will appreciate Fr. Pazat and The religious brother, through the vows without hesitation, provided, of course, that formation; the professor also teaches by his learn much from what he has to teach of poverty and chastity, gives God all that their commands are not sinful. In a world own example. Even when bothered by injury them by word and example. Truly living he has. Through the vow of obedience he where most people do whatever they want or illness, Fr. Pazat showed the seminarians his life according to those words of the gives God all that he is. He gives Him his and are miserable, the religious brother finds how unnecessary it was to complain. In Archbishop, he will always remain for the very will. He promises to accept the orders the joy of true liberty, abandoning the chains addition, he made clear that thirty years seminarians an example of what a priest of his superiors as being the very voice of of pride and self-love, walking constantly of priesthood does not necessarily mean should be, and the Seminary community Almighty God Himself. He obeys them in the path of God’s surpassing goodness. any loss of devotion in celebrating Mass. is truly grateful for his years in Winona.

Fr. Phillipe Pazat (left) acts as assistant priest at the 25th “Go, sell all that you have, anniversary Mass of his brother, Fr. Jaime Pazat. His novitiate completed, Brother Dominic Savio takes his first vows as an SSPX brother before US District Superior Fr. Rostand. and come follow me.” Department Spotlight:

he name “schola” is an abbreviation of schola cantorum, or “school of singers,” first founded at Rome Tth in the 5 century to train the singers for the papal liturgy. In recent centuries, The meaning of the texts, the various modes, Forming a bridge between monasteries adopted the name for their the function of the piece in the liturgy, the two choirs, the schola small groups of monks specially trained for and the spirit of the liturgical season all strives to unite the entire leading their liturgical chant and singing the contribute to this interpretive process. While community in one voice, parts too difficult for the entire community. all this preparation and practice is necessary or . From there, it passed into seminaries and so that the chant may be sung beautifully parishes with this new meaning. Thus, at and well, it is even more important that it be first year is dedicated to the Seminary, the Schola Department is a true prayer. Unlike any other musical form, the history, theory, and exclusively concerned with the liturgy in chant is wholly ordered to the words, and principles of Gregorian its musical expression, namely Gregorian the melody serves only to render the prayer chant. The second year chant. The liturgy is the heart of the life more meaningful, ardent, and expressive. of this musical formation of the priest and therefore also of the This practice and preparation attains imparts the practical aspects seminarian, so the Schola is truly privileged fruition within the Mass itself. The Schola of performing the chant. to apply special study and attention to leads the community in singing the Propers Here, seminarians are taught the magnificent treasures of chant. of the Mass, while reserving some of the the fundamentals of singing The Schola dedicates most of its effort more difficult parts to themselves. The in general. Beginning with to preparing to sing the Propers of the Mass. members stand in a circle in the center of such basics as posture, This practice aims firstly at accuracy in the the choir, while at their head the director breathing, and articulation, notes, rhythms, pitch, the blending of voices simultaneously conducts the Schola itself the class advances more or and so on, but also at artistry, bringing out and the community as a whole. The other less rapidly to the correct singing of the of contemplation and adoration so nuances in the interpretation of the pieces. seminarians rely on the Schola to lead the scale and its many variations. In addition essential to the liturgy, the Schola aims way in following the direction, in to these introductory courses, the Schola at far more than aesthetic improvement. maintaining the proper pace and pitch, directors practice the various Masses and The consecrated soul lives on the and in giving beauty and meditative Offices with the whole community in food provided by the liturgy and the depth to the liturgical prayer. The “common class”. During these weekly more perfectly the Church’s prayer is Schola always strives to execute the sessions, the community learns the Propers rendered, the more easily souls rise to chant more perfectly, so that the whole for the coming feasts and Sundays. When God. Thus, by faithfully fulfilling their Seminary community may enter more this is satisfactorily accomplished, the functions, the members of the Schola completely into the divine worship. director turns to correcting general problems bestow a benefit on the Seminary Naturally, the duty of teaching in the community’s singing, teaching a community that transcends even the and practicing the chant with the new piece of music, or mastering specific undeniable beauty of the music. entire community also falls to the nuances and details of the chant. Schola. Firstly, some members teach The place of the Schola in the a classroom course given to the life of the Seminary is indeed a crucial Follow the hand: select schola members learn the fine new seminarians during their first one. Entrusted with the honor and art of directing, giving the pieces interpretive nuance two years at the Seminary. The duty of augmenting the atmosphere as well as rhythmic exactitude. Musica Sacra ope St. Pius X, in his magnificent two offices are chanted recto tono (i.e. at often performs such pieces for important on sacred music, Tra le a single pitch): Prime in the morning and liturgical feasts. These talented seminarians PSollecitudine, lays down the general Sext at noon. In the evening, the office enhance the beauty and solemnity of we may answer with St. Augustine: principles which should be followed in of Compline is sung according to psalm these occasions with a variety of beautiful “Amantis cantare est” — Singing befits order to ensure the worthy execution of tones. On each Sunday, a solemn high arrangements. In addition, a team of the lover. Man is able to use music to sacred music. He begins by saying that Mass is celebrated in which the whole skilled organists contributes to the picture express his inward sentiments, and even sacred music is a complementary part of community sings the Propers of the Mass in of sacred music at the Seminary. Besides as grace builds on nature, so the Catholic the solemn liturgy and, as such, participates Gregorian. These Propers include the Introit, keeping their fellow seminarians on pitch Church elevates this art of music in order in the general scope of the liturgy, which Gradual, Alleluia (sometimes replaced by during Mass and the more solemn Offices, to express the adoration, thanksgiving, is the glory of God and the sanctification the Tract or a double Alleluia, depending they frequently perform solo organ pieces, contrition, and supplication due to Her on the liturgical season), Offertory, and which add dignity to certain otherwise Divine Spouse, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Communion. The community also chants silent moments in the liturgy, such as and, through Him, to the Eternal Father. the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and processions in and out of the chapel and Since glorifying God in the liturgy is the Agnus Dei. Sunday evening, the office of during incensations at Mass and Vespers. primary duty of the priest, and there is a Vespers is sung, followed by Benediction After all this, one might be tempted close affinity between the sacred liturgy of the Blessed Sacrament, always featuring to ask “Why?” Why so much singing? and sacred music, a seminarian’s formation a hymn in honor of Our Lord and one for Is this not an over-emphasis on sacred will necessarily emphasize music. Seeking Our Lady, a sung prayer for the , music? Wouldn’t the seminarians be better to be a man of God and of the Church, the the Tantum Ergo, and a hymn during the off spending their time studying their future priest must master the art of that most reposition of the Blessed Sacrament. theology? In response to these questions, perfect love song: the Catholic liturgy. In addition to Sundays, solemn high Mass and Vespers are sung for all first class feasts. On these occasions, Vespers of the preceding evening, called “First Vespers,” is also sung to begin the Organist and resident composer, PI Franks, feast. For second class feast days, a sung regales the community with classical pieces as well as his own works. Mass is celebrated in the morning at 6:50 following the office of Prime. On First and edification of the faithful. He then Fridays and Saturdays of the month, votive develops the particular qualities that sacred Masses of the Sacred Heart and of the music should possess: it must be holy, it Immaculate Heart, respectively, are sung. must be true art, and, as the liturgy itself, But sacred music is not exclusively it must possess the quality of universality. Gregorian chant. In his motu proprio, St. From these principles, he concludes that Pius X also commends liturgically suitable the music in which all these qualities are polyphonic compositions, and, faithful to most perfectly realized is Gregorian chant. this spirit, the Seminary’s polyphonic choir Chant holds a considerable place in the life of the seminarian. Every day, On All Souls’ Day, the whole community joins the schola in singing the awesome sequence, Dies Irae.