To Hand on What Has Been Received: The Mission and Challenges of the SSPX in Our Times

A guest article by Charles Bradshaw.

The SSPX’s recent pilgrimage to Rome has been the cause of some media attention not least because of mounting expectations regarding future Episcopal Consecrations. The inevitable skeletons have come out of the cupboard again alongside those who claim to have insight into just about everything Archbishop Lefebvre did or didn’t do. However, whilst the future consecrations remain a vitally important and pressing issue, what has been overlooked is how the Society of St Pius X is meeting its own future and how she is handing down her “management” to a new generation.

The Past of Leo XIV - Mere Catholicity: the Prosper Grech-Prevost-Müller Connection

by Serre Verweij

for Rorate Cæli

The year 2012 seems to be a century ago. It was not the year the world ended, instead it was the last year where Pope Benedict XVI led the Catholic Church. He was no Pope Pius XIII, no traditionalist. But he was clear on ethical matters, opposed the radical modernists, tried to respect traditionalists, was supportive of more pro-traditional cardinals, tried to makes the Novus Ordo more reverent. 

Dom Guéranger’s "Liturgical Institutions" Published for the First Time in English

The ongoing devastation inflicted upon the sacred liturgy is by no means unique to our time. Since the earliest days of the Church, the liturgy has suffered from the attacks of heresy, schism, and human caprice. Through the ages—whether from the blasphemous Vigilantius, the radical Waldensians of the Middle Ages, the Protestant reformers of the sixteenth century, or the rationalist infiltrators of the Enlightenment—there has always been a persistent, corrosive impulse to undermine, distort, or dilute the sacred rites entrusted to the Church.

In the nineteenth century, Dom Prosper Guéranger (1805–1875), the abbot of Solesmes and founding father of the modern liturgical movement, stood resolutely against a virulent strain of this anti-liturgical spirit.

NEWMAN AS DOCTOR - by Fr. Richard Cipolla

When the blogmaster (I suppose there is such a word) of Rorate Caeli, who is a personal friend of some years now, wrote to me recently to ask, with some astonishment on his part, why I had not written an article for publication immediately after the announcement by Pope Leo XIV that St. John Henry Newman was declared a Doctor of the Church, I replied that despite my love for Newman, I could not respond at once, for I needed time to think about not merely the declaration itself but also what this means for the Church today, as she (not it) seems to be emerging, Deo gratias, from the dark years after the Second Vatican Council that were marked by iconoclasm, denial of the Catholic Tradition and worst of all--sentimentality, the acid of religion.

"The Holy Father Received This Morning in Audience... Fr. James Martin, SJ"

 From today's Bollettino:

Il Santo Padre ha ricevuto questa mattina in Udienza:

The Lie Contained in Article 1 of "Traditionis Custodes"

(source)

Lex Orandi and Ecclesial Rupture: A Brief Theological and Canonical Critique of Article 1 of Traditionis Custodes

The first one hundred days of Leo XIV - by Roberto de Mattei

 

Roberto de Mattei

Corrispondenza Romana/Voice of the Family

August 28, 2025

On 17 August, Leo XIV moved back to the Vatican after his summer break at Castel Gandolfo. This date also marked the first 100 days of his pontificate, which began on 8 May 2025.

Is this period, during which the Pope has not made any decisive appointments, international trips or major speeches, sufficient to predict the future course of his pontificate? Absolutely not. The Church’s time frames are not those of politics, and three months is insufficient for a serious analysis of the future.

Minneapolis: The Pain is Too Much

 

May the new martyrs, boy and girl, Fletcher Merkel (8) and Harper Moyski (10), killed in hatred of the faith yesterday in Minneapolis’ Annunciation Church, pray for the Church in America persecuted by perverted terrorism.

J’accuse - A Professor at the Detroit Seminary Destroys Archbishop’s Unjust Actions Against Faithful Faculty

 The letter is astonishing: point by point, in three relentless pages, it dismantles the unjust actions of the Archbishop of Detroit against seminary professors whose only fault was being Catholic.

Images below:

Pope to French Politicians: "Christianity cannot be reduced to mere private devotion."

Address to a Delegation of Elected officials and Civil authorities of the Val-du-Marne, France

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!

I am sure many of you speak English, right? I am going to attempt to speak French counting on your good will!

I cordially greet His Excellency Monsignor Dominique Blanchet, and I welcome all of you, elected officials and civil leaders of the Diocese of Créteil, on pilgrimage to Rome.

Full-Length Documentary on Latin Mass Restrictions in Charlotte, North Carolina

 For the background, see our two previous posts:

(1) Traditionis Custodes Persecution continues under Leo XIV - Traditional Masses Removed from Parish Churches in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina

(2) Rorate Exclusive: The Anti-Traditional and Anti-Liturgical Pastoral Letter to be Sent by the Bishop of Charlotte on Liturgical Norms in His Diocese

***

Regina Magazine just released a lengthy documentary on the situation of the Latin Mass in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina. We encourage you to watch it below and make it known:

The SSPX Responds to Cardinal Arborelius

  

Open Letter to Cardinal Arborelius in Response to the Statements of 15 August 2025

Your Eminence,

Pope Leo XIV to Altar Servers: "Mass is a serious, solemn moment. May the beauty of the liturgy, the order and majesty of the gestures draw the faithful."

Address to the national pilgrimage of altar servers of France 

(August 25, 2025)

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!

Dear Altar Servers, who have come from all over France, good morning!

I welcome you to Rome, and I am very happy to meet you, along with all those who have accompanied you: lay people, priests, and bishops, whom I warmly greet.

Pope Leo XIV to Catholic Lawmakers: "You are called to be bridge-builders between the City of God and the City of Man."

We begin with the same sign with which the Lord has given us life in Baptism: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

Good morning to all of you. Welcome to Rome and to the Vatican, and thank you for your patience.

 

Your Eminences, Your Excellency,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am pleased to greet you, members of the International Catholic Legislators Network. And I thank you for your visit, here to the Vatican and to Rome, during this Jubilee year, the Jubilee of Hope.

SSPX Episcopal Consecrations? Learning from the Past

A guest article by Joseph Bevan.

With the current speculation about whether, and when, the SSPX will consecrate new bishops, we can all agree on one thing: that they are needed.

Bishop Schneider: « Mass Immigration: a plan to Islamize Europe »

 

LA NUOVA BUSSOLA QUOTIDIANA

23 August 2025

 

 

Lorenza Formicola interviews Monsignor Athanasius Schneider.

“Mass of ALL Ages”? Shiny New Lecture Series Rehashes 1970s

by Kevin Tierney

for Rorate Cæli

Whenever a person writes, he always has to ask himself one question: Who is my audience? No matter his disposition or ideas, a writer writes to a certain group with their ideas (written and unwritten) and culture, which can often be very complex.

Fake interview book with the Pope causes a stir in Italy. Why is it important?

Fake interview with the Pope causes a stir in Italy. Why is it so important?

by Gaetano Masciullo

The Dehonian Editions of Bologna, Italy, recently published a book that was immediately met with criticism and scandal, particularly within the Vatican Curia. Jesuit Antonio Spadaro, Undersecretary at the Dicastery for Culture and Education, is the author of the book Da Francesco a Leone (“From Francis to Leo”). As the title clearly suggests, the aim of the book is to demonstrate complete continuity in governance between Bergoglio and Prevost.

The SSPX Visits Rome - What Now on Consecrations?

The FSSPX officially visits Rome. Bishop consecrations?

 by Marcelo González, on X

On August 22, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X will visit Rome on the occasion of the Holy Year. Priests, religious, and faithful from around the world will participate, so a large turnout is expected. This is not the first time that pilgrimages have been made, but it is the first time that the visit has been included, albeit partially, in the official calendar of the Holy See. Partially because it is mentioned only in the Italian-language calendar and not in the other six languages in which it is published.

Society of Saint Pius X Jubilee Pilgrimage Images

The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) is gathering faithful from around the world in their 2025 Jubilee Rome pilgrimage this week. Here are some images and video:

Pope Requests Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace on August 22nd

 

The Octave Day of the Assumption, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Queenship of Mary in the mass of Paul VI), this Friday, has been chosen by Pope Leo XIV as a special day of fasting and prayer for peace in the world.

As announced by him at the end of the General Audience today:

Pope John Paul II also allowed the FSSPX to participate officially in the Jubilee Year of 2000.

 

JUBILEE YEAR 2000, ROME: PROCESSION OF THE PRIESTLY SOCIETY OF ST. PIUS X

FROM THE COMMENT SECTION ON ‘CHIESA E POST CONCILIO’ BLOG – 17-8-2025

LEO AND THE RADICALS - Part III in the Series "The First Year of Leo XIV"

This is the third of several analyses written for Rorate by our contributor Serre Verweij on Leo XIV's first year.

Series: The First Year of Leo XIV

III - Leo and the Radical Modernists

[Part I - Leo and the Germans.]

[Part II - Leo and Synodality.]

There were some rumours during the conclave that Prevost could be a candidate more radical than Parolin. So far, Pope Leo has acted completely the opposite. While extremists on both sides try to frame him as one who will consolidate ‘the revolution begun by Francis’ chances of this are decreasing by the day.

100 Days of Leo XIV

One hundred days as Pope

That is how long it has been since the beginning of Prevost's pontificate, which began under the banner of spirituality, verticality, normalization, and reconciliation. To the relief of some and the disappointment of others (which is also a good sign).

Stefano Chiappalone

Nuova Bussola Quotidiana

August 16, 2025

Prayers in Honor of Saint Thomas Aquinas, gathered in one book for the first time

We’ve hit some huge Thomistic anniversaries in recent years:

• in 2023, the 700th of Aquinas’s canonization;

• in 2024, the 750th of his death;

• and in 2025, the 800th of his birth.

Eucharistic Procession down Bayou Teche, Louisiana (Images)

Text from St. Landry Now, with images also sent my a reader - the procession visited eight churches along the Bayou, in St. Landry Parish, deep in Acadian territory in Louisiana (Acadiana): 

Against “Liturgical Piety”

 

By James Baresel

A variety of scholars, thinkers and writers all along the spectrum opinion from the staunchest supporters of the Tridentine Mass to advocates of reforming the reform to those favoring preservation of the status quo to proponents of more radical changes frequently argue the same one point—that whatever they oppose is somehow “not liturgical.”

Praying for Peace on the Feast of the Assumption - Roberto de Mattei

Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church National Historic Landmark
Kenai, Alaska, 1894

On August 15, 2025, the Feast of the Assumption, a historic summit will take place in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Rome: The Virgin of Revelation at Tre Fontane: The Dogma of the Assumption

 

Just as The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, proclaimed in 1854 by Pius IX, is connected to the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1858, when She identified Herself to Bernadette by saying “I am the Immaculate Conception”, so another apparition is also connected to the proclamation of the Dogma of the Assumption.

LEO AND SYNODALITY (A Silent Implosion?) - Part II in the Series "The First Year of Leo XIV"

This is the second of several analyses written for Rorate by our contributor Serre Verweij on Leo XIV's first year.

Series: The First Year of Leo XIV

II  - LEO AND SYNODALITY

[Part I: Leo and the Germans]

As Pope Leo XIV is approaching the 100 day mark of his pontificate (today is day 97), more and more decisions are coming out which appear indicative of the course of his papacy. Our new Pope is starting to address difficult dilemmas described in Leo XIV: The First 50 Days -- an Analysis.

In this article we outlined many of the challenges Pope Leo faces, quite a few of which are directly related to Francis’ multiyear synodal project plus other reforms and local projects connected to it. Whether to cancel the ecclesial assembly set for 2028 and the process leading up to it, how to deal with local synods in Italy and Ireland, whether to ensure an adequately orthodox African response to the problem of polygamy, and so on.

So far, Pope Leo appears to have alternated between either ensuring a return to orthodoxy behind the scenes, or punting on liberal reforms, not killing them, but leaving their conclusion uncertain. Key curial appointments by Pope Leo will give a more definitive indication of what shape his pontificate will take. Positive patterns do already seem to be slowly emerging, however. 

The ecclesial assembly and the implementation of synodality

The Beauty of the Americas in one Pontifical Mass

 The Vatican was paying attention as Cardinal Burke pronounced the sermon in the Pontifical Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone, of San Francisco,  on August 5th in the shrine so carefully cherished by him, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

“The beauty and solemnity of our worship is especially enhanced by the presence of the Most Reverent Salvatore J. Cordileone, archbishop of San Franciso who is offering the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and by the singing of the Mass of the Americas, the first composition commissioned by the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship.

Bishop Peter Elliott, Friend of Tradition - Rest in Peace

Most Reverend Peter John Elliott
Born 1st October 1943 (Melbourne)
Ordained Priest 19th February 1973
Consecrated Bishop 15th June 2007
Titular Bishop of Manaccenser & 
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Melbourne (retired 3rd November 2018)
Died 6th August 2025 (Melbourne)  

Throughout the world, Catholics (and not a few non-Catholics) are mourning the loss of Bishop Peter J Elliott, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, Australia, who died on Wednesday, 6th August. 

Gabon and Prague, Africa and Europe Brought Together by the Traditional Latin Mass -- by Rev. Stanislav Přibyl

Gabon in Prague

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, the Second Sunday after Pentecost, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Gabon, Major General of the National Gendarmerie, Ms. Brigitte Onkanowa, attended Holy Mass in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Charlemagne the Emperor in Prague, commonly known to Praguers as Karlov. Since 2016, the church has been a diocesan rectory for celebrations in the traditional Roman rite. The minister was in our Republic on a business trip and expressly wanted to attend the traditional Latin “Tridentine” Mass on Sunday. It was clear that this was her personal preference, as the Catholic Church in her country attracts the faithful mainly because of its widespread celebration of traditional Masses. It turns out that Africans do not necessarily need liturgical dances to affirm their cultural identity, which are almost imposed on them by Europeans as something supposedly authentic that they should exhibit for us.

Newman on Capital Punishment: Consistency is Key in Catholic Doctrine - by Edward Feser

It was announced last week that Pope Leo XIV will be declaring St. John Henry Newman to be a Doctor of the Church.  As the Catholic Encyclopedia notes, the Church proclaims someone to be a Doctor on account of “eminent learning” and “a high degree of sanctity.”  This combination makes a Doctor an exemplary guide to matters of faith and morals.  To be sure, the Doctors are not infallible.  Their authority is not as great as that of scripture, the consensus of the Church Fathers, or the definitive statements of the Church’s magisterium.  All the same, their authority is considerable.  As Aquinas notes, appeal to the authority of the Doctors of the Church is “one that may properly be used” in addressing doctrinal questions, even if such an appeal by itself yields “probable” conclusions rather than incontrovertible ones (Summa Theologiae I.1.8).

The “Messa in Latino” Blog Case and Religious Freedom for Catholics around the World - by Roberto de Mattei

Roberto de Mattei

Corrispondenza Romana

August 6, 2025

The recent case of the “Messa in Latino” blog gives us an opportunity to reflect on the religious freedom of Catholics in the world today. Since 2007, Messainlatino.it (MiL) has been one of the most popular and widely read Catholic blogs in the world. On July 11, 2025, with a simple unsigned email and without any warning, the blog was removed from Google's Blogger platform for alleged violation of the “hate speech policy.” MessainLatino defended itself tooth and nail against this abuse, raising awareness in the press, promoting two parliamentary questions in Rome and Strasbourg, and filing an urgent appeal with the Court of Imperia on July 17. At the end of the standoff, on July 23, the blog was restored by Google. MessainLatino thus won the battle, probably emerging stronger than before.

Transfiguration: “Seek Endurance Before Glory”

 

The Lord taketh chosen witnesses, and in their presence, revealeth His glory. That form of body which He had in common with other men, He so transfigured with light, that His Face did shine as the sun, and His raiment became exceeding white as snow. Of this metamorphosis the chief work was to remove from the hearts of the disciples the stumbling at the Cross. Before their eyes was unveiled the splendour of His hidden majesty, that the lowliness of His freely-chosen suffering might not confound their faith. But none the less was there here laid by the Providence of God a solid foundation for the hope of the Holy Church, whereby the whole body of Christ should know with what a change it is yet to be honoured. The members of that body whose Head hath already been transfigured in light may promise themselves a share in His glory.

Leo and the Germans

 This is the first of several analyses written for Rorate by our contributor Serre Verweij on Leo XIV's first year.

Series: The First Year of Leo XIV

I  - LEO AND THE GERMANS

by Serre Verweij

for Rorate Caeli

August 1, 2025

While we are waiting for Pope Leo XIV to tip his hand and release his first encyclical, and make his first curial appointments, both sides in the struggle between tradition and modernism keep trying to claim him. The attempts by progressives to claim the Pope as their secret candidate (after the fact) are looking increasingly desperate, however. Specifically, attempts by the German bishops stand out as highly dubious.

McCrery, Architects of Catholic Beauty, chosen to renovate the White House

McCrery Architects, New Carmel, Wyoming

Those familiar with the architectural work of James McCrery know he is among the greats of the 20th and 21st centuries. 

Saint John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Church - Proclamation by Pope Leo XIV -- "For fifty years, I have resisted Liberalism in religion. Never did Holy Church need champions against it more sorely than now!"

His Predecessor of the same name, Leo XIII, created John Henry Newman Cardinal. Today, Leo XIV proclaimed him Doctor of the Church.

From the Bollettino (in Italian).

On July 31, 2025, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

During the same audience, the Holy Father confirmed the affirmative opinion of the Plenary Session of Cardinals and Bishops, Members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, regarding the title of Doctor of the Universal Church, which will soon be conferred on Saint John Henry Newman, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Founder of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in England; born in London (United Kingdom) on February 21, 1801, and died in Edgbaston (United Kingdom) on August 11, 1890.

Cardinal Newman's lifelong struggle was against liberalism in religion. He made that very clear in his famous Biglietto speech, upon the acceptance of the cardinalatial title:

A high point of the Middle Ages: the Dictatus Papae of St. Gregory VII - by Roberto de Mattei

A high point of the Middle Ages: the Dictatus Papae of St. Gregory VII

by Roberto de Mattei

Corrispondenza Romana

July 30, 2025

The pontificate of St. Gregory VII (1073-1085), Ildebrando di Soana, constitutes one of the high points of the Christian Middle Ages. The culmination of the Gregorian pontificate is the Dictatus Papae, a collection of twenty-seven sentences defining the prerogatives of the Pope and his relations with temporal authority, proclaiming the superiority of the Pontiff over the Emperor in the religious and moral sphere and claiming for the Papacy the role of the highest and most eminent power on Earth. The work was probably written between 1075 and 1078, at the height of the conflict with the German sovereign Henry IV, not yet Emperor of Germany, who had initiated the so-called Investiture Controversy against the Church.