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Hi, I'm an old 70 years born and raised trad. I'm not SSPX but FSSP. However, my position with the SSPX is one of yearning and I hope one day there will be reconciliation. Having said that, I think Archbishop Fefebvre is one of the most brilliant minds that ever was, (which usually gives me squinty eye looks when I openly say I support his theology).

I go to NO masses because there's no EF here, but once a month attend EF when I am in the city that offers it.

On my Catholic position that is reflected here, I assume because I am in conversation with another Catholic, he has rudimentary catechism teachings down pat. I'm not trying to teach anyone here, which is why  I will not offer citation on basics, although if you catch me on a Saturday morning, AFTER my coffee I mat relent.   I present point of views based on theological grounding(Sententia Pia and Opinio Tolerata), so that is a given. If you refute what I say, back it up.  

I can also take polite correction.

You seem to be of goodwill and coming to this forum from a vantage point quite similar to what I arrived with some 5 years ago.  I regret that your OP in this thread received the downthumbs that it has.  I encourage you to stick around and avail yourself to some of the resources suggested such as Fr. Wathen's work. The Great Sacrilege is amazing in the foresight of the man-worship/man-centered "religion" that the new "mass" would bring about.

Thanks for giving me credit for being that stupid.

(Just in case sarcasm eludes you completely you might want to consider taking a less literal approach to life).

Lighthouse, I am very sorry.  Yes, I am overly literal. And if you combine that with the inherent impediment of forum communication devoid of tone/facial expressions, etc., and add a touch of "I'm not as familiar with your style of writing as others", then viola - a recipe for what seemed to you as an insult to your intelligence.  My fault completely.

No excuses, just an explanation.  It won't happen again.

First off: Welcome to the forum, sir.

Would that that were true. But a look at what evil the current occupant of the Throne of St. Peter has done to the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate shows that there is a great deal of resistance to the return of Tradition, and at the very highest echelons. It's going to get much worse before it gets better. My closest friend is an FSSP priest, and I get the distinct impression from him that he and his brothers feel the Sword of Damacles (read: Bergoglio) hanging over their heads.

And, as an aside, I think one of the worst things wrought by Summorum Pontificuм (perhaps worse than any good that was done) was the introduction of the phrase "Extraordinary form" to describe what is, in fact, the Mass of Ages; the true and only Rite of Mass of the Latin Church, as codified in perpetuity by Pope St. Pius V in Quo Primum. The notion that a scripted, Protestantized liturgy, fabricated by a Freemason with the help of Protestant heretics, and never legally promulgated, could ever be an "ordinary" or "normative" form of Mass is utterly absurd and, frankly, repugnant.

A book I would strongly recommend hunting down (if you're able) would be The Great Sacrilege by Fr. James Wathen. It's the first critique of the Novus Ordo ever published (at least in English), and shows an insightfulness and prescience that, considering it was written all the way back in 1971, is all but prophetic.

Thanks for the invitation and references, I'll certainly look it up.

I can only speak from the perspective of the community level. I saw that graph some time ago though and it was a diagonal climb. At mass I read in the bulletin in a non chalent way that the parish was pulling in 5000$ a Sunday, compared to NO in the other parishes was 4-500 a Sunday on average. I think the diocese Cathedral was taking in a little better than this. A sure indicator of health, the FSSP parish seems to make very costly changes and repairs very fast without too much intrusion to service. This response is reminisce of the 50's where a simple request would have the congregation obliging immediately. In the NO parishes, one needed major repair to the steeple, and that was 3 years ago with still no sign of help. In fact they are desperate. As you say it is obvious that the NO has become protestantized through time.

But as far as any conspiracy at the top echelons to bury EF(?), I don't think that will ever happen and it would bring on a collective roar from the billions of us. It would be foolish also, as I think the Vatican knows this is what's saving us. I use the acronym because of common usage. The Holy Spirit had already designated what was "norm" for 2000 years. I think Summorium Pontificuм must be understood in the context of the times, and to me as a life saver that was thrown to a foundering Church caused by a disruptive group. Archbishop Lefebvre stepped right into the midst of it returning from Africa, and collectively showed them their wrong. Whatever can be said about it, I feel it was drastically needed at a precarious time in the Church. Again we witness,"not even the gates of hell"...

It is opportune you mention the Franciscans. That is where my heart resides, and I am now seeking the old rule Third Order in my area, but there is none around.  

What we need is a cohesive Church, protraying to the world a solid oneness. As in 1 Cor, we should resolve our issues in brotherhood within the Church, with no partisan divisions visible to potential converts or outside world. That's the problem I see.

Thanks.