Some Statistics...

At present, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter has 129 priests, with a further seven affiliated though not incardinated, making a total of 136.

One of our priests, Fr. Charles Fiore, passed away earlier this year. In your charity, please pray for the repose of his soul.

There are 18 deacons between the two seminaries (Denton & Wigratzbad) awaiting ordination to the priesthood (which is coming up shortly). The ordination of those men from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary took place on Saturday 7th June; those from St. Peter's Seminary were ordained later in the month.

The acolytes ordained to the subdiaconate on 12th May were:

• Mr. Michael Magiera FSSP
• Mr. Joseph Orlowski FSSP
• Mr. Gregory Pendergraft FSSP
• Mr. Rudolph Veshtaj FSSP
• Mr. Mark Wojdelski FSSP

The subdeacons ordained to the diaconate in the Cathedral of the Risen Christ, Lincoln, Nebraska, by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz on 7th June were:

• Mr. John Brancich FSSP
• Mr. Erik Deprey FSSP (Canada)
• Mr. Stephane Dupre FSSP (France)
• Mr. James Gordon FSSP
• Mr. Gerard Saguto FSSP
• Mr. Andrew Szymakowski FSSP (Germany)
• Mr. Kenneth Webb FSSP (Canada)

Three other subdeacons due to receive diaconal orders this year are:

• Mr. Nicolas du Chaxel FSSP (France)
• Mr. Kenneth Fryar FSSP (Australia)
• Mr. James Fryar FSSP (Australia)

The North American district of the Fraternity of St. Peter will this year ordain four deacons to the priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Three were ordained by Bishop Bruskewitz in his cathedral on Saturday 7th June. They were:

• Rev. Mr. Peter Byrne FSSP
• Rev. Mr. Thomas Longua FSSP
• Rev. Mr. Duncan Wong FSSP (Malaysia)

• Rev. Mr. Joseph Hearty FSSP (Canada)

Most of this year's priestly ordinations will be from the diaconal class of St. Peter's Seminary, Wigratzbad. The growth of the Fraternity in recent years has been considerable, but there are still not enough priests available to fill the pastoral demands of bishops and faithful. At present the Fraternity has been invited to erect apostolates in a number of dioceses in various countries, but has been unable to accept due to lack of manpower.

When an order has only two seminaries at its disposal, it is difficult to turn out anything like the required number of priests. Vocations are as plentiful as ever but, sadly, more men are turned away than can be accepted, as they cannot be accommodated by the limited places available in the Fraternity's two seminaries.

At present, 18 applicants have been accepted into the Year of Spirituality (1st year) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary for the 2003-04 academic year. At the end of each year, there are always a few men who, for various reasons, discontinue their studies and a few who are asked not to return the following year. This natural attrition will free additional places, so the number of incoming first-year men this August may be well over 20, makin it the largest first-year class since the Seminary relocated from Pennsylvania to Nebraska three years ago.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary is still under construction. At present, the seminary can house up to 70 seminarians. If more than that number should be accepted, alternative accommodation must be found for them. Space in chapel is at a premium, as the official seminary chapel has not yet been built, so the community assembles instead in the Aula Magna (a converted conference room) for Holy Mass and the Divine Office. This lack of space means we cannot accommodate many guests for Mass and Vespers on Sundays.

We are also awaiting the construction of an additional dormitory wing, which will close off the inner courtyard and house a further 30 students. As yet there is no final agreed date on which the next phase of construction will begin. Please remember the staff and seminarians of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in your prayers.