For the first time in nearly 50 years: Traditional Ordinations in Chartres

Chartres, June 28, 2014

It had been almost 50 years since the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres (Notre-Dame de Chartres), one of the greatest Christian buildings in the world, had last witnessed the kind of immemorial priestly ordination rite for which it was built in the first place - according to a Traditional Rite of the Latin Church, in almost all aspects identical to the local Western uses employed in it from its earliest days, and the Roman Rite itself in several moments of the Cathedral's history, including permanently from the 19th century onwards. "Extraordinary" - because it is extraordinarily beautiful.

More below:

Ordinations in the upcoming days and weeks: Ecclesia Dei institutes

Ordination and First Mass of Saint John of Matha
(Vincenzo Carducci, Museo del Prado)

For the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. 

The events in Arizona were tragic, extremely sad and distressing - but not despairing, because the Lord does not abandon his faithful people, ever. As Fr. Walker taught, it is our duty to recognize our lifetime as the time for our visitation and, during that time, "make use of the means that God has provided for us to show our repentance, our submission, and our trust in Him." (Sermon) [Temporary link: Fr. Kenneth Walker's Funeral Fund - Update: total amount raised]

As reported here on May 31, seven priests were ordained for the FSSP on that day in Nebraska. Two other ordination ceremonies remain for the Fraternity:

In Virginia: the Rev. Deacons Zachary Akers and Daniel Heenan, who will be Ordained tomorrow (Saturday, June 14, 2014, 9:00 AM), by the Most Reverend James Conley, Bishop of Lincoln, in Leesburg, Virginia (St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 101 Oakcrest Manor Dr. NE, Leesburg, VA 20176). We have checked for confirmation, and the ceremony will take place as foreseen.

In Chartres: It is a highly historical event: since the advent of the new Pontificale Romanum, in 1968, there has not been a traditional ordination ceremony in that highly emblematic French cathedral, Our Lady of Chartres. On June 28, at 9:30 PM, Bishop Marc Aillet, of Bayonne, will ordain the Rev. Deacons Jean de Massia, Thibault Paris, and Olivier de Nedde (Orléans).

For the Institute of the Good Shepherd.

In Bordeaux: Archbishop Giuseppe Sciacca will be in the Church of Saint-Eloi on Friday, June 27, at 9:30 AM, for the ordination of three deacons to the Holy Priesthood: the Rev. Deacons Gregory Lutz-Wiest, Karol Zaleski, and Mateusz Markiewicz.

For the Institute of Christ the King.

In Tuscany: Cardinal Burke will confer the ordinations of European seminarians in the Institute's seminary in Gricigliano on July 3. A total of 4 deacons will be ordained on that day.

In Missouri: The priestly ordinations of American seminarians for the Institute will take place in America this year: Cardinal Burke will once again be present, now at the St. Francis de Sales Oratory, in Saint Louis, MO, on August 5, and will ordain to the Holy Priesthood the Rev. Deacons Benjamin Coggeshall, Joel Estrada, Andrew Todd, and Francis Altiere.