I once had the impression that the SSPX was about survival, humble small wood chapels with a few people trying to just survive the current war against the faith, and that the SSPX priests existed only because of the supplied jurisdiction provided by the faithful.

Through the years I saw things change, as more and more new parishioners with a "oddball traditionalists" complex, started filling the pews and building fancy marble chapels to "attract" new people who would never have gone to an SSPX "humble small wood chapel with a few people trying to just survive the current war against the faith".

Have things changed from like 15+ years ago, are the traditionalists supposed to build marble monuments to look like the mainstream?

In my opinion, building beautiful marble churches to attract new people is not our job. Our job is keeping the faith, preaching the truth, keeping our families isolated from precisely the type of people who are repulsed by the "humble small wood chapel with a few people trying to just survive the current war against the faith".

Comments?

Have things changed from like 15+ years ago, are the traditionalists supposed to build marble monuments to look like the mainstream?

Building beautiful traditional buildings isn't about being mainstream.  It's about being Catholic, like our ancestors.

That being said, the SSPX is not anyone's parish.

One of the things Vatican II has done is that it has removed the stability of the local parish.  

The SSPX seems to have no qualms about abandoning very nice, well-located churches.

If Traditional Catholics wish to build beautiful churches, I suggest they twice before letting a group like the SSPX take over it.

Hi Bowler, you asked for comments, so here is mine:

From the bottom of my heart I believe there cannot be enough beauty to honor Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.

If the very best one can possibly do is humble and poor, may God bless the honst effort.  But whenever there is an opportunity or the talent to create something beautiful for the glory of God, it should be done.  

Our Catholic tradition is full of stories about saints and holy people finding beautiful sacred objects, hiding statures during wars and persecutions, miraculous images happening and so forth.  

One reason some of us are *nervous* about Pope Francis is his Humble  thing.  Plain and non-descript is masonic, Jєωιѕн and Protestant.  

What is better for the faithful, to build?:

One St. Isidore like this:




or 20 small chapels like this spread over the World?:

(please pardon my poor grammar in earlier post)

I have to admit you've got a point, Bowler.  BUT how about painting faux marble and gorgeous interiors?  Instead of plain old wood?  If there are artists available?

And making lovely gardens with free or easily propagated plants and flowers?

Or maybe the original intent of the marble was to give Glory to God.  

Yes, maybe, however, it may also be misdirected "giving". Maybe God prefers us to spread the faith and the wherewithall to other areas that don't have the money to even have a chapel?

A woman doesn't have to dress like a mennonite to be modest.  

A small chapel is not like a woman "dressed like Mennonite". It is just as beautiful as any Jєωeled princess.

I once had the impression that the SSPX was about survival, humble small wood chapels with a few people trying to just survive the current war against the faith, and that the SSPX priests existed only because of the supplied jurisdiction provided by the faithful.

Through the years I saw things change, as more and more new parishioners with a "oddball traditionalists" complex, started filling the pews and building fancy marble chapels to "attract" new people who would never have gone to an SSPX "humble small wood chapel with a few people trying to just survive the current war against the faith".

Have things changed from like 15+ years ago, are the traditionalists supposed to build marble monuments to look like the mainstream?

In my opinion, building beautiful marble churches to attract new people is not our job. Our job is keeping the faith, preaching the truth, keeping our families isolated from precisely the type of people who are repulsed by the "humble small wood chapel with a few people trying to just survive the current war against the faith".

Comments?

I am sorry this has six dislikes. I think we are going back to a scenario of Mass in humble places. A few priests here and there.

What about This?

This Church was built in 1692, abandoned since the 1850's.

That is a false dichotomy.  What would be better is twenty St. Isadore's.

Even better would be 1000 St. Isidores, and every member of Cathinfo a billionaire. However,  we have to deal with reality.