Interview with Bishop Faure

With grateful thanks to ‘Non Possumus’ for the following —

INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP FAURE ON THE 1ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAJM

Your Excellency, what is the SAJM and what is its spirit?

The SAJM wishes to be the continuation of the work and the combat of Archbishop Lefebvre in his fidelity to the faith of always. In this deep crisis of the Church, the SAJM is particularly aimed to protect the priestly life and maintaining the fervor of future priests.

Why did you choose that name?

On June 17, 1970 Abp. Lefebvre signed the draft of the statutes of the “Society of the Apostles of Jesus and Mary.” That’s where the name comes from. That is the internal denomination of the congregation founded by him. Preserving that name, we have wanted to honor the memory of Abp. Lefebvre.

Monsignor, when and under what circumstances was the new congregation founded?

A year ago exactly, at the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, after several priests and seminarians expressed to me the need to have a Superior, rule, etc.; which is what we have always had in the Society founded by Abp. Lefebvre.

What are the similarities and differences between the SAJM and the SSPX?

The spirit and statutes are practically the same, but regarding the differences, we must take into consideration the catastrophic evolution of the SSPX and this comment of Abp. Lefebvre after having read the work of Emmanuel Barbier, Histoire du catholicisme libéral et du catholicisme social en France : “If I had read this work before, I would have given to my seminars another orientation.” He was referring to the need for a more anti-liberal orientation

Are the statutes of the SAJM the same that Abp. Lefebvre wrote for the SSPX?

The statutes of the SAJM are essentially the same as those written by Abp. Lefebvre for the Society, with some adjustments that we have considered necessary, seeing the deviation of the SSPX. An example is the following point that we have added: “Since the Second Vatican Council, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Catholic doctrine and the whole life of the Church are attacked by the liberal and modernist Hierarchy. Because the Catholic priesthood has the essential duty to combat liberalism and modernism in defense of violated divine rights, The Society rejects any possibility of canonical regularization by means of a bilateral agreement, unilateral recognition, or in any way, as long as the Catholic Hierarchy does not return to the Tradition of the Church”. (Chap. II, n° 5).

Excellence, how has the seminar of the SAJM been developed?

I decided to create the Seminary Saint Louis Maria Grignion de Montfort as soon as I was consecrated, remembering those words of Abp.  Lefebvre in his “Spiritual Journey”: One single thing is necessary for the continuation of the Catholic Church: fully Catholic bishops, who make no compromise with error, who found Catholic seminaries, where young candidates for the priesthood can nourish themselves with the milk of true doctrine, placing Our Lord Jesus Christ at the center of their intellects, of their wills, of their hearts; who have a living faith, profound charity, a devotion without bounds, uniting them to Our Lord.

All the works of God know some difficulties in the beginnings, however we have about 6 new seminarians every year, which, in the current circumstances, seems to be a blessing from God.

The professorial body is constituted by the Dominican Priests of Avrillé (France), this is a guarantee of a perfect orthodoxy and a clearly anti-liberal training.

The seminarians, spending most of the day in the convent of the Dominicans, are trained in a climate of holy austerity that is proper to religious. There they attend the different courses and in the afternoon they return to the seminary, which is very close to the convent.

Starting this year, we will also have two priests of the congregation who will help us in the seminary.

Who are the current members of the Congregation?

For now we have two bishops, three priests and five seminarians.

Every year, in the second year of seminary, when they receive the tonsure, the seminarians are incardinated in the Congregation.

Monsignor, how could a priest become a member of the SAJM?

He just need to express his desire taking contact with me and submit a request.

How could a young man enter the SAJM’s seminary?

In the same way. Ordinarily, candidates must make prior contact with the Resistance priests who develop their apostolate in the countries where the candidates live.

Will there be a Third Order in the SAJM?

There will be, as it was created by Abp. Lefebvre for the SSPX.

What does Your Excellency expect from SAJM in the future?

To ensure the continuation of the work of Monsignor Lefebvre with the greatest fidelity to the guidelines that the Archbishop bequeathed to us, without turning to the right or to the left. (Proverbs 4:27).

Is there anything else Your Excellency wants to tell us about SAJM?

I would like to emphasize that our congregation was founded not by chance on the feast day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and it was also consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We bear in our name the Names of Jesus and Mary, and this founds and marks our spirituality.

The SSPX had the same vocation, represented symbolically, in its logo, by the interwoven hearts of La Vendée; but the SSPX is betraying that vocation by seeking a reconciliation with the enemies of Jesus and Mary.

They are our only hope. May God grants to our little Congregation to remain faithful and always humble, without airs of greatness, so that everything it does be for the glory of Jesus and Mary.