Angelus Press 2011 Conference

The second annual Angelus Press conference kicked off on Friday, October 7th. The theme of this year's conference is the Kingship of Christ. Over 430 priests, religious, and laity came from around the world to be educated, edified, and encouraged.

James Vogel, the Editor of Angelus Press, introduced the conference by explaining the rationale of choosing this theme. He discussed how this doctrine is at the heart of any solution to the present crisis. In addition, he talked about the importance of this theme to Archbishop Lefebvre and how it inspired his life.

Fr. Juan-Carlos Iscara, seminary professor from Winona, introduced Cardinal Pie, a 19th century prelate, as an authority on the question. Cardinal Pie, whom Pius XI called the Doctor of the Social Kingship of Christ, is not well known in English. Fr. Iscara explained the importance of his teaching still in the 21st century.

After dinner, Mr. Andrew Clarendon, a professor from St. Mary's Academy and College, recounted the story of Lepanto. Providentially, October 7th was the anniversary of the Battle, and the feast of the Holy Rosary. Mr. Clarendon, weaving both history and Chesterton's literary insights together, concluded by stressing the importance of the Rosary Crusade today.

Between conferences, the attendees could mingle, ask questions of the speakers, or visit one of the many booths available in the hallway.
A view of the hallway booths	Franciscan Sisters of Christ the King of Kansas City, MO
SSPX Third Order	St. Vincent's Boys' High School
La Salette Boys Academy	Benedictines of Silver City, NM

Saturday; day two

The second day of this year’s Angelus Press conference, The Kingship of Christ, began on Saturday with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, offered by Fr. Gerard Beck. After a brief breakfast, the conference began again in earnest.

Brian McCall, a professor of law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, spoke on the proper relationship between Church and State. Mr. McCall explained how, contrary to modern errors, Christ’s kingship has implications and consequences for every aspect of our lives.

Following Mr. McCall, Fr. Daniel Themann, a professor at St. Mary’s Academy and College, discussed Quas Primas, the encyclical of Pope Pius XI which established the Feast of Christ the King. Using that text as the basis for his talk, Fr. Themann explained the rights Our Lord possesses over society, and the origin of that authority.

The last session of the morning was given by Dr. John Rao, a professor of European History at St. John’s University in New York City, and the current director of the Roman Forum. Dr. Rao made clear the errors of the modern world and their root causes in his characteristically energetic style. His lecture ended with a discussion of the Catholic revival movement and a warning on the modern dangers which present the greatest threat to the doctrine of Christ’s Kingship.

After lunch, the afternoon session was opened by Fr. Gerard Beck, First Assistant to the District Superior and Superintendent of Schools for United States District of the Society of St. Pius X. Father offered practical advice to Catholics on how to live in the world but not of it, reminding the faithful of their duty to be a leaven in society.

The afternoon session was closed by Fr. Albert, O.P., a friar from the Dominican community in Avrille, France, who currently assists in the chaplaincy for the Novitiate of the Sisters of the Society of St. Pius X. Father explained the teaching on the Queenship of our Lady, in light of Christ’s Kingship. He discussed the theological basis for this teaching, its fittingness, and its practical application, specially manifested in consecration to Mary.

After the formal dinner on Saturday, Christopher Check, the Executive Vice-President of the Rockford Institute, and a renowned speaker on Catholic historical topics, delivered his talk, “The Cristeros and the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution.” Mr. Check gave a riveting account of the Cristeros as a practical application of Catholic action, ending his talk with an account of the Tarcisius of Mexico, Jose Sanchez del Rio.

Evening Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament with recitation of the Holy Rosary.

Sunday; day three

The final day of this year’s Angelus Press conference began with a Pontifical High Mass offered by His Excellency, Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Kansas City.

Having just attended the SSPX's superiors meeting in Albano, Italy, Bishop Tissier was fortunately able to make it to Kansas City in time to offer this liturgical climax of the conference.

After the Mass, St. Vincent’s parish graciously provided brunch for the conference attendees, as well as a tour of the historic church.

In the early afternoon, Bishop Tissier, one of the first members of the Society of St. Pius X, recounted Archbishop Lefebvre’s devotion to the Kingship of Christ, a doctrine which played a central role throughout the Archbishop’s life, and especially in his defense of Catholic Tradition both during, and after, the Second Vatican Council.

After his initial conference, Bishop Tissier explained the nature of Catholic Action, and the different definitions of this action, given by Popes St. Pius X, and Pius XI. The bishop gave special emphasis to the role of the laity in the fight for Catholic action, and the duties of laymen in bringing about the social reign of Christ the King.

The conference was concluded by Fr. Arnaud Rostand, the District Superior of the Society of St. Pius X in the United States. Fr. Rostand closed the conference with an explanation of how Catholics can and must practically apply what they had learned that weekend, reminding the attendees that the doctrine of Christ’s Kingship is not merely an academic question, but a teaching which has consequences for each member of Christ’s Church.

After a final thank you to both speakers and attendees, James Vogel, the Editor of Angelus Press, announced that next year’s conference, which will examine the nature of the papacy, will be held on October 12–14.

In addition to the conferences, attendees had time to visit with one another, and with the fifteen different groups represented at this year’s conference, from religious sisters to schools, monks, and more. With twelve conferences presented over three days, in the presence of over four-hundred attendees, this year’s conference was a tremendous success.