News Apostolates

The Most Reverend Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will visit St. Francis de Sales Oratory for the first time on Sunday, March 14 at 10:00 AM.  His Grace will preach the sermon at a Solemn High Mass celebrated by Monsignor Michael Schmitz, the Vicar General and Provincial Superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.

One year after Pope John Paul II published the document “Quattuor Abhinc Annos” (“Four Years Ago”), permitting the celebration of the Mass according to the Missal of 1962 under certain conditions, Archbishop John L. May approved its celebration in the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1985.

Canon Michael Wiener

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI, promulgated the document “Summorum Pontificum” (“Of the Supreme Pontiffs”), allowing for even wider celebration of the “Latin Mass,” now clarified as the “Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.” Canon Karl W. Lenhardt, the founding Rector of the Oratory, was named Episcopal Delegate for the implementation of Summorum Pontificum in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.  The current rector of the Oratory, Canon Michael K. Wiener, also serves as Episcopal Delegate for Summorum Pontificum’s implementation in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

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• St. Francis de Sales Oratory

In the wake of the February snow His Grace, the Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form to over twenty faithful of Saint Anthony’s Oratory in West Orange, New Jersey.  In addition to the traditional rite of the visitation of the bishop, His Grace also assisted pontifically at the throne during a Solemn High Mass offered by Canon Matthew Talarico, Vice-Provincial. A wonderful reception was then kindly offered in honor of Archbishop Myers by the many hospitable faithful of the apostolate in Father Wickens’ hall. The Institute is profoundly grateful to His Grace, Archbishop Myers, for the canonical erection of Saint Anthony’s as an Oratory of the Institute, as well as for his paternal guidance and continual support of its apostolate.

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Our Lady of Lourdes: A Growing Parish

The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest has been situated in Libreville, the capital city of Gabon, for over four years. Last year our Archbishop, Msgr. Basile Mvé Engone, erected our apostolate as a parish and installed Canon de Ternay as the pastor.

The support of our Archbishop is a great blessing. Since our apostolate has become a parish, it has not ceased to grow. In 2008 we had 15 baptisms and about 150 parishioners; in 2009 we had 41 baptisms and are now approaching 500 parishioners! And this year we have 44 adults preparing for their baptism in our catechism program. In fact, at Our Lady of Lourdes parish we have more than 170 faithful in catechism spread out over 6 classes. There are 3 levels for children; confirmation preparation; perseverance; and adult catechism. We have quickly outgrown our temporary chapel.

Although the large mission church is still under construction, we were able to have Holy Mass there for the first time on Ash Wednesday.

Other activities that take place at the parish are: daily mass, three divine offices recited publically every day, daily public rosary, four adorations per week, two prayer groups Rosa Mystica and Emmanuel, English and Latin classes, each once a week, three practices a week for our St. Benedict’s Choir, and weekly Altar Boy practices and liturgical formation sessions, and on Sundays, Solemn High Mass and Solemn Vespers.

This all of course in addition to the sacramental needs of the faithful, such as confessions and spiritual direction, communion and visits to the sick and orphanages, house blessings and exorcisms. The parish also organizes retreats, summer camps, and various conferences. The most recent event was the successful Gregorian Chant session directed by Canon Wulfran Lebocq, choirmaster of the Institute’s international seminary, and crowned with the presence of our Archbishop who presided over Pontifical Vespers at the parish.

What blessings! Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the glory of God and the salvation of souls!

Reverend Deacon Michael Stein

Learn more about our African missions »

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On February 6, His Excellency, the Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form to over thirty young adults of Saint Joseph’s Oratory, of which Canon Andreas Hellmann is the Rector. Bishop Ricken graciously welcomed the Institute to beautiful Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral in order to accommodate the several hundred faithful who attended the ceremony. After the conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation, Bishop Ricken assisted pontifically at the episcopal throne during a Solemn High Mass offered by Canon Michael Wiener, Vice-Provincial. A wonderful reception was then kindly offered in honor of Bishop Ricken by the many hospitable faithful of the apostolate.

The Institute of Christ the King is profoundly grateful to His Excellency, Bishop Ricken, for his paternal guidance and continual support of its apostolate at Saint Joseph’s Oratory and for opening the doors of his historic cathedral to our apostolate. The Institute is also indebted to the rector of Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral, Reverend Father John Girotti, for his helpful assistance.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ellis.

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The Liturgy always brings life and growth. An historic landmark church having barely escaped the wrecking ball, the Shrine of Christ the King was an empty church with a gutted interior less than two years ago. Since then, through a whole program of liturgical, musical, artistic, and family events, the Shrine church has been steadily developing into a center of Faith and culture for Chicago and beyond.

One great sign of this remarkable growth was the Pontifical Mass celebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Chicago, on Sunday, October 11, and the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for the first time to members of the ever-increasing Shrine community. The Renaissance choral music was provided by members of Chicago Chorale, who sang beautifully William Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices, as well as several works of other masters of sacred polyphony. After the Pontifical High Mass, His Excellency, Bishop Perry greeted the many faithful at a festive reception gratefully held in his honor.

After considerable planning and preparation, the early stages of the next phase of restoration work are soon to be underway.

Photos courtesy of ssmithphotos.com

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His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, celebrated Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament with Te Deum at the Shrine of Christ the King on Friday, June 12.

Left to Right: Msgr. Wach, Cardinal George, Msgr. Schmitz

Monsignor Gilles Wach, Founder and Prior General of the Institute, was present for this Te Deum, which was offered in thanksgiving to Divine Providence for the Institute’s reception of the Pontifical Right status last autumn from the Holy See.

The Institute is likewise very thankful to His Eminence, Cardinal George, for his gracious assistance with the Pontifical Right and for his continual support of its spiritual work both in Chicago and beyond. A very large number of faithful from across the country attended this special event, as well as the festive reception which followed in honor of His Eminence and Monsignor Wach.

The Most Reverend Donal B. Murray, Bishop of Limerick, Ireland, has officially confirmed in a recent document that the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest is charged with the care of the Latin Mass Apostolate in the Diocese of Limerick. Monsignor Wach, Prior General of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, warmly thanks Bishop Murray for having confided this apostolate in Limerick to our community and assures him that the canons of the Institute of Christ the King will take it upon themselves to exercise their priestly ministry in a spirit of service and ecclesiastical communion.

With the permission of the Most Reverend Bishop of Limerick and the welcoming kindness of Reverend Father Irwinn, the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite has been celebrated regularly at St. Patrick's Church on Dublin Road for the past three years.

Since the beginning of the Institute's work in Ireland, Reverend Canon Wulfran Lebocq was appointed as the Institute priest responsible for the Limerick apostolate. Deeply touched by the welcome he has received and continues to experience, Canon Lebocq assures you of his prayers and priestly devotion and relies on your faithful support and assistance..

Learn About Our New Ireland Apostolate »

Monsignor Schmitz celebrated a Solemn High Mass for Quinquagesima Sunday at Saint Margaret Mary in Oakland in the presence of hundreds of faithful. During his visit, Monsignor also gave a special presentation about the canonical lifestyle of the Institute, which the Holy See approved with the granting of the status of Pontifical Right last October. The festive reception which followed this event expressed the family spirit of charity and warmth which the Institute strives to foster in each apostolate.

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On February 22, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, Bishop of Rockford, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation according to the traditional rite to over ninety young adults at St. Mary's Oratory, of which Canon Brian Bovee serves as Rector.

Well over five hundred faithful attended this beautiful ceremony and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament which followed. The Institute is profoundly grateful to His Excellency, Bishop Doran, for his paternal guidance and continual support of its apostolate at Saint Mary's over the past thirteen years.

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At the request of His Grace, Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of Milwaukee, the Institute of Christ the King now offers a High Mass on the fourth Sunday of every month at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Canon Olivier Meney, Rector of Saint Stanislaus Oratory in Milwaukee, offered the first High Mass at this new apostolate of the Institute on Sunday, January 25, for the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, in the presence of over two hundred faithful.

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