Our thanks to Fr Daniel Heenen of the Fraternity of St Peter for sending us this account and some pictures of a recent mission trip to Peru. You can see more pictures by clicking here.
The 3rd annual St. Francis Xavier Mission Trip of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter traveled once again to the city of Piura in the north of Peru to work with the poor and to spread devotion to the Traditional Latin Mass. The group consisted of 33 youth from around the country as well as 3 priests, 5 seminarians, and 4 chaperones. The young people had the opportunity to put their faith in action through a great variety of charitable works, including helping at orphanages, delivering food to the poor, building homes for needy families, assisting in the medical and dental clinics, visiting rehab centers, and more. Missionaries were reminded, however, that they had not traveled so far simply to be social workers. Their mission was, most importantly, a spiritual one. Therefore, missionaries had the chance to accompany the priests as they brought Communion to the sick, blessed homes, and visited the hospitals. The goal of this trip was to enkindle both in the missionaries themselves and in those whom they served a greater love for Christ and His Church. The missionaries therefore attended Mass in the Extraordinary Form daily, prayed the Rosary, had the opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration, and listened to spiritual talks given by the priests and seminarians.
One of the most important accomplishments of the trip was introducing many new people to the Traditional Latin Mass. The parish of Sanctísimo Sacramento, where the St. Francis Xavier Mission Trip served, is a parish of approximately 40,000 souls all served by one parish priest. Though the pastor’s labors are nothing less than heroic, he is always grateful for help with his immense flock, so he requested that the FSSP priests celebrate public Masses in chapels throughout his parish. Each time a new group of people, some of whom only have the chance to attend Mass occasionally, were introduced to the beautiful chants and ceremonies of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Some people remembered when they had last attended Mass in that manner. Others asked if they would now be able to attend this Mass every Sunday. Without exception, all were edified and commented profusely about the transcendence and beauty of the ritual.
The St. Francis Xavier Mission Trip is expanded and is always in need of help. If you would like to donate or learn how you can help, please email SFXmission@gmail.com or visit www.sfxmission.com (new website coming soon.) Registrations for the 2015 trips will begin at the end of October. Of course, we earnestly depend on your prayers for the success of this endeavor. May God reward you.
Fr. Daniel Heenan, FSSP
Nuestra Señora del Pilar
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
One of the most important accomplishments of the trip was introducing many new people to the Traditional Latin Mass. The parish of Sanctísimo Sacramento, where the St. Francis Xavier Mission Trip served, is a parish of approximately 40,000 souls all served by one parish priest. Though the pastor’s labors are nothing less than heroic, he is always grateful for help with his immense flock, so he requested that the FSSP priests celebrate public Masses in chapels throughout his parish. Each time a new group of people, some of whom only have the chance to attend Mass occasionally, were introduced to the beautiful chants and ceremonies of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Some people remembered when they had last attended Mass in that manner. Others asked if they would now be able to attend this Mass every Sunday. Without exception, all were edified and commented profusely about the transcendence and beauty of the ritual.
The St. Francis Xavier Mission Trip is expanded and is always in need of help. If you would like to donate or learn how you can help, please email SFXmission@gmail.com or visit www.sfxmission.com (new website coming soon.) Registrations for the 2015 trips will begin at the end of October. Of course, we earnestly depend on your prayers for the success of this endeavor. May God reward you.
Fr. Daniel Heenan, FSSP
Nuestra Señora del Pilar
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
