The Monastery of Saint-Benoît in Brignoles (France) has issued a call to prayer and fasting for the unity of the Church in light of the episcopal consecrations announced by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX) for next July 1. The Benedictine community believes the current situation risks deepening ecclesial divisions and has invited the faithful to dedicate part of June to penance and intercession.
In a statement released on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the monks recall that “the Church faces the risk of a hardening of divisions” due to the differing positions arising around the episcopal consecrations announced by the Fraternity founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.
A Call Inspired by Benedict XVI
Their appeal draws from the reflection of Benedict XVI contained in the letter accompanying the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum in 2007. In it, the German Pope lamented that, throughout history, ecclesiastical authorities had not always done everything possible to preserve or restore reconciliation and unity.
“This look to the past imposes on us today an obligation: to make every effort so that all those who truly desire unity may have the possibility of remaining in that unity or of rediscovering it,” Benedict XVI recalled in the text cited by the monks.
In light of these words, the community invites the faithful to live June as a time of special prayer for the Church, at a moment they consider particularly delicate for ecclesial communion.
Praying for the Pope and for the Fraternity of Saint Pius X
Far from framing the issue in confrontational terms, the monastery asks for prayers both for the Holy Father and for the leaders of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X. The monks encourage the faithful to seek the assistance of the Holy Spirit for all who participate, directly or indirectly, in a situation that could have significant consequences for the life of the Church.
“We invite everyone to make June a time of fervent prayer and fasting for the unity of the Church, praying especially for the Holy Father and his advisors, as well as for the leaders of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X,” the statement reads.
June, a Month of Prayer and Penance for Unity
As a concrete expression of this intention, the Monastery of Saint-Benoît will dedicate several days in June to prayer and fasting. Specifically, Wednesdays June 3, 10, and 17, as well as Friday June 26, a day linked to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint John the Baptist.
On those days, the conventual Mass will be celebrated using the votive formulary Pro unitate Ecclesiae and will be accompanied by a holy hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
The monks conclude by inviting all the faithful to join this initiative spiritually, offering Mass, prayer, and fasting for the unity of the Church. “We invite everyone to join us, in whatever way they can, to pray and fast for the unity of the Church,” they affirm.
An Appeal
At the present hour, the Church faces the risk of a hardening of divisions due to the positions taken by various parties regarding the episcopal consecrations announced for July 1 by the Fraternity of Saint Pius X.
In light of the reality on which Pope Benedict XVI spoke in 2007:
“Looking back at the divisions that have torn apart the Body of Christ over the centuries, one continually has the impression that, at the critical moments when division was beginning to emerge, the leaders of the Church did not do enough to preserve or achieve reconciliation and unity; one has the impression that omissions within the Church and the share of responsibility of its leaders contributed to these divisions becoming consolidated. This look to the past imposes on us today an obligation: to do everything possible so that all those who truly desire unity may have the possibility of remaining in it or of rediscovering it once again.”
We invite everyone to make June a time of fervent prayer and fasting for the unity of the Church, praying especially for the Holy Father and his advisors, as well as for the leaders of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X.
The monastery will dedicate one day each week to prayer and fasting: Wednesdays June 3, 10, and 17, as well as Friday June 26, respecting the feasts of the Sacred Heart and Saint John the Baptist. On those days, the conventual Mass will be a votive Mass Pro unitate Ecclesiae and there will be a holy hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament beginning after the Office of Sext, concluding with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
We invite everyone to join us, in whatever way is possible for them, to pray and fast for the unity of the Church, particularly, as far as possible, by offering the votive Mass Pro unitate Ecclesiae.
The Prior and the community
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Monastery of Saint-Benoît
Brignoles, France