As I have mentioned before, I have no connection with the Society nor with any other chapel that would fit this forum’s definition of “traditional”, my interest in the topic is mostly because of my administrative experience in an ecclesiastical setting. Two of my three posts in this thread were to answer questions that were asked by the same person, and had clearly been answered in the video with Father Toupee.
The St. Thomas More Priory website currently indicates that Confirmation and Mass with Bishop Tissier de Mallerais will be October 14 at St. Thomas More chapel Sanford and on October 15 at Our Lady of Victory in Davie. For Sanford it says that families may invite as many guests as they want but an RSVP is required for the luncheon afterwards.
In his announcements at Mass on August 27 Father Toupee mentioned that All Souls parish had offered their (presumable) larger church for the Confirmation and Mass, somewhat in the larger context of St. Thomas More needing a larger chapel because of growth in the congregation. There is not yet an indication that things will be moved. Some here are speculating (and it is pure speculation) that the real reason for a change would be to “acclimate” the SSPX faithful to “playing nice” with the Novus Ordo. This is an interesting as when I first ran across Trad Forums 10 – 15 years ago there were many reports of SSPX and other traditionalist groups going on pilgrimages (various shrines across the U.S., Lourdes, Fatima, Rome, etc.) and being denied permission to have a Mass or even recite a group rosary. The “trad consensus” was that ALL Catholic groups should be allowed access to the Church’s patrimony. For those with comprehension issues, please note that NOTHING is being said here about the Novus Ordo “being Catholic”. Now when the SSPX may gain some access they are “capitulating” or “selling out”? I don’t think you can have it both ways. The notice of the pilgrimage to the Shrine of the North American Martyrs triggered this memory as visiting there is bucket list for me. I don’t know how “official” this visit is, but the idea that honoring and have a devotion toward the North American Martyrs is somehow “apostasy” because of who currently controls the real estate … the logic of that completely escapes me.
For sake of a discussion, let us suppose that Father Toupee had made the following announcement:
Bishop Tissier de Mallerais is coming for Confirmations next month. When Bishop Fellay was here for the last Confirmations is was apparent that our chapel is way too small. We have the following options (I have no idea of the capacity of the chapel nor the size of the Confirmation class so my hypothetical examples are speculative):
We can have Confirmation here in the chapel but each candidate and their family will be allowed only four tickets (two parents, one confirmandi, and one sponsor). Other family and chapel members will only be admitted on a space available basis. All are welcome to the garden reception with an RSVP.
We can rent the ballroom at the local “Trump Hotel”, which should accommodate all who wish to attend. The $800 - $1,000 cost (those are realistic numbers from my experience of organizing events) will be assessed to the confirmation families. If any chapel members wish to contribute that will be greatly appreciated. There will be a reception following Confirmation and Mass, also at the hotel.
We can reserve the kiosk at the city park for an outdoor Confirmation and Mass. All are invited, you will need to bring your camp chair and be prepared to kneel on the lawn. You may wish to bring a garden kneeling pad or blanket, the chapel isn’t responsible for dry cleaning costs. There will be a hamburger, hotdog, and s’mores reception in the park afterwards.
The Parish of All Souls has graciously offered the use of their larger church for Confirmation and the Pontifical Mass. Only hosts consecrated by Bishop Tissier de Mallerais during the Mass will be distributed at Holy Communion.
I’m wondering which of the four hypothetical options chapel members would most prefer, I would hope that options 2 and 3 would be considered the most inappropriate. It is a pretty safe bet that no matter which option Father and Bishop Tissier de Mallerais would approve, there will be a segment who will attack them for it.