Author Topic: Converts to the SSPX (Read 2530 times)

InfiniteFaith · « **on:** August 20, 2015, 09:34:19 PM »

How often do you see this sort of thing? Is it a challenge in dealing with someone who is not completely accustomed to the culture and beliefs? How do you treat such people?

AMDGJMJ · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2015, 07:43:38 AM »

There are many people who have converted to traditional Catholicism.

Just as is the case with children starting to learn about the world.It is always difficult at first, and takes time to adjust. So, we need to be loving, patient, and pray for them.

I was once Novus Ordo and struggled with learning how to accept the truth. But in time, with the assistance of good people, I have learned a lot, and still am! :-)

Stubborn · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2015, 08:56:40 AM »

Quote from: InfiniteFaith

How often do you see this sort of thing? Is it a challenge in dealing with someone who is not completely accustomed to the culture and beliefs? How do you treat such people?

To answer your first question, not very often.

To answer your other questions will depend on the person. If the light bulb went off in their head and they figured out that the NO was spiritually starving them and promoting sin so they left - and in the process they discovered tradition, they will embrace the "culture and beliefs" immediately. They may be a bit clumsy at first, but so what, the main thing is to be as happy as they are for what they have found and help them however you can.

OTOH if they were forced or otherwise coerced into your trad chapel one Sunday, then it is always nice if you're able to greet them before or after Mass and welcome them, being truly glad to see them there and offer to help them if they need anything. Maybe let them know about some event they would be welcome to attend, such as a Church bake sale or picnic or catechism class or ? to start a conversation with them to help their comfort level if you can.

PerEvangelicaDicta · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2015, 10:01:17 AM »

Quote

To answer your other questions will depend on the person. If the light bulb went off in their head and they figured out that the NO was spiritually starving them and promoting sin so they left - and in the process they discovered tradition, they will embrace the "culture and beliefs" immediately. They may be a bit clumsy at first, but so what, the main thing is to be as happy as they are for what they have found and help them however you can.

Well, as a former "EWTN-conservative-Catholic" I can certify this is absolutely precise. And still learning! :detective:

Marlelar · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2015, 12:07:23 PM »

The chapel in Phoenix has notices in the bulletin now:

Church Etiquete:

"Please be considerate of the needs of our many guests and visitors. A kind greeting and an offer to answer any questions is the best way to welcome newcomers. Anything beyond that is at the discretion of the pastor and his assistants."

and this:

Guest and Visitor Information:

"is now available outside the Church after each Mass, along with official greeters who will make themselves available to welcome and assist our guests."

I wish he would put a notice in the bulletin about proper behavior and apparel so that visitors would know not to talk and where to find a veil!

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2015, 12:49:47 PM »

Our family are converts to traditional Catholicism.

I know many others who are also converts to traditional Catholicism.

Since this was never part of our "normal" life, it has been a long process. We keep learning, praying, reading, teaching, and asking.

Our oldest three children have had a difficult time with the transition, so their faith is very fragile. It was very confusing for them and they felt like they had no control over their lives. Added to that was the constant criticism from their NO friends that we were weird or heretics or insane.

For our four youngest, our traditional Catholic life is just normal for them. Guardian Angels are just as real as the New York Yankees. Saint Therese is more familiar to them than Miley Cyrus. The Rosary prayers are as common as nursery rhymes.

If you ever meet a convert, please be patient and understanding. More often than not we have practiced contraception, are uncomfortable in the confessional, and have zero idea of what the Confiteor is much less how to say it. Instead of shrugging your shoulders and waiting for us to leave, why not offer to have us over after Mass for lunch and conversation? We have probably just lost all of our friends and quite possibly our family members. We could use friends.

Jaynek · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2015, 09:19:27 AM »

Quote from: Marlelar

I wish he would put a notice in the bulletin about proper behavior and apparel so that visitors would know not to talk and where to find a veil!

The SSPX chapel near me has a pamphlet "New Parishioner Information". It includes information on the Eucharistic Fast and dress code.

Matthew · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2015, 10:58:40 AM »

Quote from: Marlelar

The chapel in Phoenix has notices in the bulletin now:

Church Etiquete:

"Please be considerate of the needs of our many guests and visitors. A kind greeting and an offer to answer any questions is the best way to welcome newcomers. Anything beyond that is at the discretion of the pastor and his assistants."

and this:

Guest and Visitor Information:

"is now available outside the Church after each Mass, along with official greeters who will make themselves available to welcome and assist our guests."

I wish he would put a notice in the bulletin about proper behavior and apparel so that visitors would know not to talk and where to find a veil!

I would like to know WHY the sudden interest/reality of so many "newcomers" to this SSPX chapel.

Did they just start a website, and Google just recently gave it a good position?

Was there a recent high-profile local event that brought that SSPX chapel to the attention of the whole Phoenix metro area?

Seriously -- it's not like this is a new priory. They've been there for many years. Why the sudden uptick in new visitors?

Does the new orientation of the SSPX have anything to do with this? Have the priests (or their superiors) been reaching out to the local Novus Ordo church without anyone knowing it?

Exponent8 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2015, 03:09:38 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

Quote from: Marlelar
The chapel in Phoenix has notices in the bulletin now:

Church Etiquete:

"Please be considerate of the needs of our many guests and visitors. A kind greeting and an offer to answer any questions is the best way to welcome newcomers. Anything beyond that is at the discretion of the pastor and his assistants."

and this:

Guest and Visitor Information:

"is now available outside the Church after each Mass, along with official greeters who will make themselves available to welcome and assist our guests."

I wish he would put a notice in the bulletin about proper behavior and apparel so that visitors would know not to talk and where to find a veil!

I would like to know WHY the sudden interest/reality of so many "newcomers" to this SSPX chapel.

Did they just start a website, and Google just recently gave it a good position?

Was there a recent high-profile local event that brought that SSPX chapel to the attention of the whole Phoenix metro area?

Seriously -- it's not like this is a new priory. They've been there for many years. Why the sudden uptick in new visitors?

Does the new orientation of the SSPX have anything to do with this? Have the priests (or their superiors) been reaching out to the local Novus Ordo church without anyone knowing it?

To answer the bolded question - yes.

I'm in Phoenix.

It's not a new priory, but it IS a new Church. It was just consecrated by Bp. Fellay in September.

The Church building is huge and recognizable from quite a distance, and it sits on a major thoroughfare in south Phoenix.

That is why we have been getting many new visitors.

Certainly the priests have not been reaching out to the Novus Ordo.

Video of ceremony here: