First and foremost, a blessed Corpus Christi (and its octave!) to one and all. New priests for the FSSP On Wednesday, I had the great privilege and blessing of attending a pontifical Mass in Omaha with ordinations of 11 new priests for the Fraternity of St. Peter.
I hope and pray that these 11 men remain faithful, do not succumb to the Zeitgeist, and be true Catholic priests. I made many errors in my life [viz, sins] that cost me dearly. I would not trade any of the 44 years of ordained ministry as priest for anything else in the world; I only wish that striving to cooperate with God's grace for holiness of life would have been higher on the list of priorities in community and in formation. It pains and angers me every time I hear another report/expose on the corruption in the Church, especially in the seminaries and in the higher echalons of the Vatican and dioceses. It actually sickens me to think that I succumbed to some of it, and that had a pernicious effect on my life, my soul. Sadly, the more I hear and read, the more it seems true that the Reformers, mistaken as they were about many things, had their finger on corruption and its corrosive effect on the faithful, the Faith, and the Church. God send us holy, committed and supported me to become the leaders we need in the mold of Gregory VII, Pius V, Pius X. Thank you for your kindness in "listening" to me, and may the Lord abundantly bless these new priests and the FSSP and all the ministries, communities, and parishes struggling to serve the Lord in the midst of a "wicked and perverse generation."
God bless you, Father, for your honesty and your integrity. The story of the prodigal son was given us by our Blessed Redeemer for good reason, since he knew how many of us would find ourselves in that place. I too have wandered like a lost sheep but the Lord in His mercy looked down on me and drew me back. St Thomas says that those who go astray but repent are humbled and thereby better prepared for the gifts God wants to give them. I think this is experientially true. We certainly do need a series of holy and valiant orthodox popes. Kyrie eleison!
Father... I would say that what is important now is that you acknowledge that you were wrong and have learned from your mistakes ---- and thank God for it, because there are many, many priests who never come around and realize they are making a mockery of their priestly vocation. I am happy for you. I am not particularly good at quoting Scripture verbatim, but your story made me remember that verse from the Gospel one of the prayers I was saying before Confession yesterday alluded to: that of there being more joy in Heaven upon one sinner doing penance than upon ninety-nine just (forgive me if I have misquoted anything).
God bless you always, Father, and assist you as you continue further in your vocation. Know that I will include you this evening in my prayers.
I watched the video of the ordination three times! One of the ordinands was a parishioner of my parish: St Stephen First Martyr. It is sad knowing that so many Catholics don’t know what they have been deprived of however there is one thing that is more melancholy: the ones who don’t care. I have tried to interest some cradle Catholics I know to try the TLM. Just to give it a try. They don’t want to know. They don’t care. It breaks my heart.
Yes. I share your pain. It is one thing for a personal to be invincibly ignorant. It's quite another to be culpably indifferent. However, I do believe a lot of Catholics can be seen as victims of decades of brainwashing against their own tradition, identity, and mission. At the Last Judgment, it will be the evil shepherds and the heretical theologians who will have most to answer for, and to suffer, while the deceived sheep will be let off more easily.
I used to average about eighteen airplanes a month when I was traveling for my own business as a manufactures rep. This went on for twenty years. It was very early in those twenty years that I decided to move from the coveted aisle seat (by business travelers) to the window seat. Because I flew so much, I was in the top one percent of then Northwest's Frequent Flyers, I was ALWAYS upgraded to first class. As I ran the skies as I called it, I would write, with a fountain pen. Some of that became a book called Christmas Unwrapped, heartfelt stories of the true wonder of Christmas. I loved to gaze out that window as many trips took me from the east to the West Coast. Many times as we burst through the clouds on our way up to cruising altitude leaving the gray snowy landscape of Northern Michigan, the blue and the sun and the clouds blazed with glory, making me think, this must be what the pathway to heaven looks like. Everyone take a moment to step outside yourselves. And thank you for this marvelous article!!
Thank you for these reflections. I travel a lot, but not so much that I get bumped to first class (*sigh*). It did happen once, though, for which I was grateful.
Here in the West, I noticed, more and more deacons are ordained than priests. Whereas in Third World countries priests are the ones that are more. I haven’t even seen a deacon when I was there 35 years ago. And many of the priests there are coming over here. I think this fact says something of our Christian life here.
The ordinations were wonderful. I wasn't fortunate enough to attend, though I did want to, but I watched the whole event through the live-stream (one of the men ordained belonged to my parish!). I agree with you that the men's schola was breathtaking. One can truly believe it is a piece of heaven! And then the royalty of the whole ordination rite was stunning, and only made better by that beautiful Cathedral! (Aren't you glad the bishop said Mass on the old altar instead of just facing East on the new one? I was elated when I saw they had covered it and opted for the beautiful, nowadays-neglected high altar behind it!)
I have flown twice on a plane, but I remember only one of those times. I remember one of my greatest curiosities in flying was looking out the window. It was at night, so I didn't get to see much other than many lights, but I was still pretty awed by how the world looked from up there. I still think looking out is one of the greatest benefits of flying.
I don't go to St. Francis. I live in California. The parish looks beautiful, though. Do you know if Fr. Feuerman belongs (or belonged, rather...) to that parish, or did he just say his first Mass there?
The ordinations are truly a blessed event. Thank you for sharing.
As a generational Californian who is less than 2 hours from Yosemite’s Merced river entrance, I am in awe of the beauty the Good Lord gave us. And so disappointed by some of my fellow Californians who despite having reminders of Our God in all the natural beauty that surrounds us have chosen to pretend like he does not exist. I thank the Lord He gave us so many reminders of His greatness.
I choose the window seat on all my flights and spend the majority of the time enjoying the views - when flying east out of Fresno or Sacramento the view is truly amazing (Sierra Nevadas from Tahoe to Kings Canyon) and yet another reminder of how many blessings God has showered upon us. And you are spot on, anymore most people actually keep the shades down - ugh - so sad!!
Thank you for sharing all this! Fantastic for a Friday. I'm with you re: the planes. I fight for the window seat so I can watch out the window. I'd much rather do that than stare into a screen - or worse - chat with a stranger over sundry trivialities.
I hope and pray that these 11 men remain faithful, do not succumb to the Zeitgeist, and be true Catholic priests. I made many errors in my life [viz, sins] that cost me dearly. I would not trade any of the 44 years of ordained ministry as priest for anything else in the world; I only wish that striving to cooperate with God's grace for holiness of life would have been higher on the list of priorities in community and in formation. It pains and angers me every time I hear another report/expose on the corruption in the Church, especially in the seminaries and in the higher echalons of the Vatican and dioceses. It actually sickens me to think that I succumbed to some of it, and that had a pernicious effect on my life, my soul. Sadly, the more I hear and read, the more it seems true that the Reformers, mistaken as they were about many things, had their finger on corruption and its corrosive effect on the faithful, the Faith, and the Church. God send us holy, committed and supported me to become the leaders we need in the mold of Gregory VII, Pius V, Pius X. Thank you for your kindness in "listening" to me, and may the Lord abundantly bless these new priests and the FSSP and all the ministries, communities, and parishes struggling to serve the Lord in the midst of a "wicked and perverse generation."
God bless you, Father, for your honesty and your integrity. The story of the prodigal son was given us by our Blessed Redeemer for good reason, since he knew how many of us would find ourselves in that place. I too have wandered like a lost sheep but the Lord in His mercy looked down on me and drew me back. St Thomas says that those who go astray but repent are humbled and thereby better prepared for the gifts God wants to give them. I think this is experientially true. We certainly do need a series of holy and valiant orthodox popes. Kyrie eleison!
Father... I would say that what is important now is that you acknowledge that you were wrong and have learned from your mistakes ---- and thank God for it, because there are many, many priests who never come around and realize they are making a mockery of their priestly vocation. I am happy for you. I am not particularly good at quoting Scripture verbatim, but your story made me remember that verse from the Gospel one of the prayers I was saying before Confession yesterday alluded to: that of there being more joy in Heaven upon one sinner doing penance than upon ninety-nine just (forgive me if I have misquoted anything).
God bless you always, Father, and assist you as you continue further in your vocation. Know that I will include you this evening in my prayers.
I watched the video of the ordination three times! One of the ordinands was a parishioner of my parish: St Stephen First Martyr. It is sad knowing that so many Catholics don’t know what they have been deprived of however there is one thing that is more melancholy: the ones who don’t care. I have tried to interest some cradle Catholics I know to try the TLM. Just to give it a try. They don’t want to know. They don’t care. It breaks my heart.
Yes. I share your pain. It is one thing for a personal to be invincibly ignorant. It's quite another to be culpably indifferent. However, I do believe a lot of Catholics can be seen as victims of decades of brainwashing against their own tradition, identity, and mission. At the Last Judgment, it will be the evil shepherds and the heretical theologians who will have most to answer for, and to suffer, while the deceived sheep will be let off more easily.
I will pray for this to be true, because those Catholics I spoke of are close family members. May God have mercy on them!
I used to average about eighteen airplanes a month when I was traveling for my own business as a manufactures rep. This went on for twenty years. It was very early in those twenty years that I decided to move from the coveted aisle seat (by business travelers) to the window seat. Because I flew so much, I was in the top one percent of then Northwest's Frequent Flyers, I was ALWAYS upgraded to first class. As I ran the skies as I called it, I would write, with a fountain pen. Some of that became a book called Christmas Unwrapped, heartfelt stories of the true wonder of Christmas. I loved to gaze out that window as many trips took me from the east to the West Coast. Many times as we burst through the clouds on our way up to cruising altitude leaving the gray snowy landscape of Northern Michigan, the blue and the sun and the clouds blazed with glory, making me think, this must be what the pathway to heaven looks like. Everyone take a moment to step outside yourselves. And thank you for this marvelous article!!
Thank you for these reflections. I travel a lot, but not so much that I get bumped to first class (*sigh*). It did happen once, though, for which I was grateful.
I watched some of the livestreamed ordination mass, and I recognized the litany of the Saints, even though of course it was in Latin.
So happy to hear this! Thank you
Wonderful on all counts! Thanks for sharing the wonders!
Here in the West, I noticed, more and more deacons are ordained than priests. Whereas in Third World countries priests are the ones that are more. I haven’t even seen a deacon when I was there 35 years ago. And many of the priests there are coming over here. I think this fact says something of our Christian life here.
You’re so kind to share such natural and supernatural wonders with us. Thank you so much Dr. Kwasniewski.
The ordinations were wonderful. I wasn't fortunate enough to attend, though I did want to, but I watched the whole event through the live-stream (one of the men ordained belonged to my parish!). I agree with you that the men's schola was breathtaking. One can truly believe it is a piece of heaven! And then the royalty of the whole ordination rite was stunning, and only made better by that beautiful Cathedral! (Aren't you glad the bishop said Mass on the old altar instead of just facing East on the new one? I was elated when I saw they had covered it and opted for the beautiful, nowadays-neglected high altar behind it!)
I have flown twice on a plane, but I remember only one of those times. I remember one of my greatest curiosities in flying was looking out the window. It was at night, so I didn't get to see much other than many lights, but I was still pretty awed by how the world looked from up there. I still think looking out is one of the greatest benefits of flying.
Do you go to Saint Francis in Lincoln or another apostolate of the FSSP?
I don't go to St. Francis. I live in California. The parish looks beautiful, though. Do you know if Fr. Feuerman belongs (or belonged, rather...) to that parish, or did he just say his first Mass there?
He is a "native son." His whole family goes to Mass there several times a week.
Wow! What an honor! I can imagine what it must feel like for his family to see him offering his first Mass at the altar of their own parish.
Do you know if the FSSP will be releasing more "First Mass" photos? I really would like to see pictures from Fr. Kasak's first Mass!
If you get the newsletter that the FSSP sends out on a regular basis, they should have an ordination issue.
My father gets it. Hopefully it comes with a lot of pictures. Thank you!
The ordinations are truly a blessed event. Thank you for sharing.
As a generational Californian who is less than 2 hours from Yosemite’s Merced river entrance, I am in awe of the beauty the Good Lord gave us. And so disappointed by some of my fellow Californians who despite having reminders of Our God in all the natural beauty that surrounds us have chosen to pretend like he does not exist. I thank the Lord He gave us so many reminders of His greatness.
I choose the window seat on all my flights and spend the majority of the time enjoying the views - when flying east out of Fresno or Sacramento the view is truly amazing (Sierra Nevadas from Tahoe to Kings Canyon) and yet another reminder of how many blessings God has showered upon us. And you are spot on, anymore most people actually keep the shades down - ugh - so sad!!
Thank you for sharing all this! Fantastic for a Friday. I'm with you re: the planes. I fight for the window seat so I can watch out the window. I'd much rather do that than stare into a screen - or worse - chat with a stranger over sundry trivialities.