Letter from the Rector
Pray Without Ceasing
Dear Friends and Benefactors,
As the April storm within the Society of St. Pius X drops back into the past, it becomes clear to all that Archbishop Lefebvre and the Society's Superior General, Fr. Schmidberger, have in no way changed their position nor compromised with the enemies of the Church, so the wisdom of the Society's position also becomes more and more clear.
If the world is today ever more confused, it is because the light of the world, Christ's one True Church, is herself in darkness. Now Christ Himself gave His Catholic Church one Head, His own Vicar upon earth, the Pope, who alone holds from God the office and authority to redress, whenever necessary, the Church. Hence to bring to an end this appalling confusion, far from refusing to recognize Pope John Paul II as Pope, Catholics must pray for him with might and main, for only the Pope can rescue the world, and God alone can at this time rescue him from his internal and external enemies: thus "Peter was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the Church unto God for him" (Acts XII, 5), and Peter was accordingly rescued by a miracle. Hence without wishing to be under any fond illusions, the Society prays in earnest for the Supreme Pastor (John XXI, 15-17), for it knows that as long as he is struck, the Catholic sheep are bound to be scattered (Zacharias XIII, 7; Matthew XXVI, 31), and until he is rescued, the patience prescribed by Our Lord for us to possess our souls (Luke XXI, 19) will be much exercised.
Exercising patience then concerning its properties currently occupied by former members, and praying that those may see the error of their ways, the Society in the Northeast USA continues on its way: this month fifteen young men (at the latest count) prepare to enter or re-enter the Seminary to become Priests, leaving the pleasure-laden world behind them, and one more young American takes off for the Seminary at Econe; two more from Connecticut and Texas enter the Seminary to try their vocation as Brothers, and two more after a year's Postulancy will soon be taking the habit as Novices. The Brother's vocation is not an easy one, but the vocations are coming forward.
Now all these brave young men setting out to serve Our Lord with their whole lives must be given our support, best of all our steady support. Hence the S.C.S.F., or Seminary Continuous Support Fund. Our particular thanks go to the few already enrolled who have faithfully supported us over these last few months – God has not abandoned us – but we are at present living from hand to mouth with the immediate prospect of costs rising again during the school year to well over $20,000 a month. If only a large number of the Seminary's friends on our mailing list would pledge themselves to give even a little each month, the Seminary's operating finances would soon be on a sound basis. Please pledge what you can, however little it may be. By enrolling in the S.C.S.F. with the enclosed card and envelope, you will receive each month a letter from the Seminary and an envelope facilitating a monthly contribution.
The Catholic Church cannot survive without priests faithful to her divine Tradition – where else for the moment can we see these priests being formed within the U.S.A.? You too have a part to play in their formation, for which may our Lord Himself reward you!
With all good wishes and blessings,
Sincerely yours in Christ Our Lord
Fr. Richard Williamson
Copyright © 2013 St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary
Pray Without Ceasing
Dear Friends and Benefactors,
As the April storm within the Society of St. Pius X drops back into the past, it becomes clear to all that Archbishop Lefebvre and the Society's Superior General, Fr. Schmidberger, have in no way changed their position nor compromised with the enemies of the Church, so the wisdom of the Society's position also becomes more and more clear.
If the world is today ever more confused, it is because the light of the world, Christ's one True Church, is herself in darkness. Now Christ Himself gave His Catholic Church one Head, His own Vicar upon earth, the Pope, who alone holds from God the office and authority to redress, whenever necessary, the Church. Hence to bring to an end this appalling confusion, far from refusing to recognize Pope John Paul II as Pope, Catholics must pray for him with might and main, for only the Pope can rescue the world, and God alone can at this time rescue him from his internal and external enemies: thus "Peter was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the Church unto God for him" (Acts XII, 5), and Peter was accordingly rescued by a miracle. Hence without wishing to be under any fond illusions, the Society prays in earnest for the Supreme Pastor (John XXI, 15-17), for it knows that as long as he is struck, the Catholic sheep are bound to be scattered (Zacharias XIII, 7; Matthew XXVI, 31), and until he is rescued, the patience prescribed by Our Lord for us to possess our souls (Luke XXI, 19) will be much exercised.
Exercising patience then concerning its properties currently occupied by former members, and praying that those may see the error of their ways, the Society in the Northeast USA continues on its way: this month fifteen young men (at the latest count) prepare to enter or re-enter the Seminary to become Priests, leaving the pleasure-laden world behind them, and one more young American takes off for the Seminary at Econe; two more from Connecticut and Texas enter the Seminary to try their vocation as Brothers, and two more after a year's Postulancy will soon be taking the habit as Novices. The Brother's vocation is not an easy one, but the vocations are coming forward.
Now all these brave young men setting out to serve Our Lord with their whole lives must be given our support, best of all our steady support. Hence the S.C.S.F., or Seminary Continuous Support Fund. Our particular thanks go to the few already enrolled who have faithfully supported us over these last few months – God has not abandoned us – but we are at present living from hand to mouth with the immediate prospect of costs rising again during the school year to well over $20,000 a month. If only a large number of the Seminary's friends on our mailing list would pledge themselves to give even a little each month, the Seminary's operating finances would soon be on a sound basis. Please pledge what you can, however little it may be. By enrolling in the S.C.S.F. with the enclosed card and envelope, you will receive each month a letter from the Seminary and an envelope facilitating a monthly contribution.
The Catholic Church cannot survive without priests faithful to her divine Tradition – where else for the moment can we see these priests being formed within the U.S.A.? You too have a part to play in their formation, for which may our Lord Himself reward you!
With all good wishes and blessings,
Sincerely yours in Christ Our Lord
Fr. Richard Williamson
Copyright © 2013 St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary
