Having founded the Society of Saint Pius X and undertaking its government as Superior General from 1971 to 1983, he continued to assist the Society by his wise advice until his death on Monday of Holy Week, March 25, 1991, anniversary of the priestly ordination of the Sovereign Priest, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE SSPX

The SSPX came into being after the Second Vatican Council, at the request of seminarians desiring to be true priests according to the Tradition of the Church. Then, in view of the fact that it would be impossible to remain an authentic priest when subjected to the ecclesiastical milieu of the dioceses, the idea of a priestly society was seen to be the best solution in order to be accepted by the bishops (i.e., to be incardinated into a diocese) and protect their priesthood, while fulfilling a ministry much the same as secular priests.

On November 1, 1970, the Society was officially recognized by Bishop Charriere, Bishop of Fribourg in Switzerland; its constitution was warmly approved by Cardinal Wright, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, the following February.

The traditional priestly formation accomplished at the seminary of Econe became known and eventually displeased and annoyed the French bishops who feared the arrival in France of these young priests, trained in a traditional fashion. Thence came the pressure on Rome that ended in the illegal suppression of the Seminary (1975), and in the no less legal sanctions against the founder of the Society (1976).

With his residence at the General House in Menzingen, Switzerland, the elected Superior General since 1994 has been Bishop Bernard Fellay (he is currently serving his second term) and is assisted in his office by other priests of the SSPX. The SSPX is a society of common life without vows (meaning the vows of religion, as the SSPX is a secular religious congregation and not a regular, or monastic order), like the Sulpicians, the White Fathers, etc.

MEMBERS OF THE SSPX's

Composed mainly of priests, the SSPX also has religious members who are brothers, sisters, and oblates, and by affiliation, Third Order members.

THE PRIESTHOOD IN THE SSPX

The seminarians and priests, after a year of spirituality, publicly pronounce their commitment on December 8, each year, and after ten years of temporary membership may ask to make their final commitment.

COMING SOON:  A webpage devoted
to the progression of Holy Orders
at the seminaries of the SSPX

After a six month postulate and a two year novitiate, they assist the priest with multiple tasks: primary schools, catechism, visit to the sick, sacristy, upkeep of the houses, especially in regards to the washing and if required, the cooking also. They also recite the Divine Office with the priests and brothers, and have a full hour of adoration each day. There are now (as of August 2000) 108 professed sisters, about 15 novices and postulants: they are dispersed in 19 houses of which the Mother House, 4 novitiates, 7 schools, 8 priories, a seminary, a retreat house, a nursing home, and a mission. 

THE OBLATES OF THE SSPX

The Society also accepts Oblate Sisters, who often are religious sisters, who have rejected the reforms destroying their former societies. They consist also of persons of over thirty years of age who are desirous of living in the spiritual setting of the Society under the authority of the priests. The Oblates have a year of postulancy and a year of novitiate if they are not already religious sisters. These are admitted to the Oblation after one year of living in the community.  They also assist the priests in the priories.  There are now (as of August 2000) 57 Oblates in the various houses of the Society.

THE THIRD ORDER OF THE SSPX

Finally, for lay persons desiring to share in the spiritual life of the Society while yet remaining in the world, a Third Order has been established.  Through their affiliation with the Society, members of the Third Order share in its spiritual benefits, and aid its members through their prayers, while striving to increase their personal sanctification.

THE SPIRIT OF THE SSPX

The dedicated spirit of the Society can be summarized as follows:  To continue the sacred priesthood as it was instituted by Our Lord Jesus Christ and the priestly apostolate, according to the 2000 year old Tradition of the Church. But this Institution and Tradition teach us that the raison d’ętre of a priest is to perpetuate the sacrifice of the redemption of Our Lord and to keep dispensing its fruit to all generations. From the pierced Heart of Our Lord flows the Church and all the Holy Sacraments through which Our Lord communicates His Own Divine Life to souls and washes them of their sins. Thus, the sacrifice of the Mass is recognized as the inextinguishable source of the Church’s life, the great mystery of Faith, the synthesis of all revealed Truths, the fountain of all graces. Sacrifice and Sacrament, the Holy Mass brings the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ among us, and communicates Him as a miraculous nourishment.

It is this sublime role of the priest that the Society has endeavored to perpetuate, being conscious also that this role is the source of the reign of Our Lord in our souls, in families and in society. It is to this “Restoration of all things in Christ”, with all its zeal, that the Society engages itself totally through its seminaries, colleges and universities, academies, high schools and grade schools, through its chapels and communities where retreats are held, and especially the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius; and through its priories, real centers of apostolic missions. To foster its fervor,  the SSPX is attached to the Church's Liturgy, the great mysteries of Our Lord Jesus Christ (especially His Sacred Heart), to the Blessed Virgin Mary (particularly to Our Lady of Compassion), to Saint Joseph (our prudent guide in spiritual and material works), to the Holy Angels (our patrons against all diabolical influence), and of course, Saint Pius X (to keep us in the Faith and sanctity and against the errors and vices of the modern world).

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