The Recusant

Jan 26, 2017

Dear Friends in Christ!

The 5 acre property including 2 story 7 bedroom house and 4 car garage located within the original land was successfully purchased Jan 25, 2017, Feast of Conversion of St Paul on the anniversary of the death of Fr Urban Snyder, a Kentucky Trappist Monk from the nearby Monastery of Gethsemane (the first Trappist Monastery in USA est. 1848), who lived with Fr Hannifin. And the Pfeiffer Family on this same Seminary property from 1970s to early 90s. Fr. Urban was one of only 2 priests officially approved by Rome to be officially incardinated into SSPX (in 1972). He is one of our proofs that the SSPX was considered by Rome as a true Religious society. Fr Urban died January 25, 1995. He died of Altzhiemers and while forgeting almost all else was able to celebrate Mass until near the very end. He used to say with a twinkle in his eye many times: "You'll see that one day this area of the Holy Land of Kentucky will have a part to play in the restoration of the Church."

It is most providential to be allowed to receive the property back on his death anniversary. Fr Urban belonged to SSPX from 1972 to 1976.

We are very greatful to all who contributed to the $150,000 purchase without need of bank loan. Several different souls contacted me in the last 2 days to pay the difference if needed etc. We only have funds enough to go from week to week in our normal expenses, and then only barely. Yet in this period the generosity of Our Holy Mother Mary inspiring many of you, got us through our usual expenses (including several thousand dollar. repairs of our aging facility) as well as this purchase money over and above.

God bless all of you and please keep us in your prayers. Also, please remember the words with which Fr Urban Snyder used to begin each sermon that he repeated weekly, not remembering that he had said the same the week before.

"Keep your eye on Heaven as the end and goal of life. There is even a place in purgatory for those who have not desired heaven enough. And if you want Heaven you must love Christ with the most perfect Heart. But only Mary can love Christ with such a heart. But no one can love Mary with a right heart except her Divine Son. Therefore, ask Mary to give you her Heart with which to love her Son and ask her Divine Son to give you His Heart with which to love His Mother and between these two hearts you will find Heaven."

Like good traditional Catholics we used to complain, "There goes forgetful Fr Urban repeating again. When is he going to say something different?" He never did...

In Christ,

  Fr Joseph Pfeiffer