SSPX Oblates


	The four new novices

Our superiors confided our International Novitiate to the protection of St Thérèse, Patroness of the Missions; she, who desired so much to be an apostle, to be a missionary, and to evangelise faraway lands, watches over our vocations here in Salvan, Switzerland.

Our aspirants, coming from five different continents, arrive with two aims: “to sanctify themselves through contact with the Society, by making the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the inexhaustible source of their spiritual and religious life”, and “to devote themselves, according to their talents, to the works of the Society, and thus of coming to the aid of priests, either in the seminaries, or in the priories or schools” [Statutes].

Magnificat anima mea Dominum. Three times in recent months Our Lady’s own hymn of thanksgiving has resounded in the midst of our Oblate community, each time after a religious ceremony.

On 15 September 2003, Feast of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, Rev. Fr Henri Wuilloud, the new SSPX District Superior of Switzerland, officiated at the clothing of four postulants originally from Australia, Kenya, and Ghana. In his homily, he recalled the essential role of the Motherhood of Our Lady, Co-Redemptrix at the foot of the Cross. Following her example, the new novices will offer their lives to co-operate in the redemption of souls, and, especially by their prayers before the Blessed Sacrament and through Holy Communion, prepare their apostolate.


	The Oblate Sisters of Salvan

Clothed with the religious habit, the new novices knelt at the foot of the altar to pronounce their Act of Offering. Having received their names in religion, Father gave each a rosary saying, “Receive, dearest daughter, this Blessed Rosary, which you will carry perpetually, as a sign of your love towards the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of her special protection over you.” Then he gave each a crucifix saying, “Receive this Cross, a sign of the Passion of Jesus Christ, so that it may be the foundation of your Faith, a defence against adversity, and the perpetual banner of victory”.

The Magnificat, which is also the canticle of the Spiritual Childhood of St Thérèse, was intoned again on 25 March, 2004, as a German postulant took the habit. His Lordship, Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais added to our joy by his presence on this, the Feast of the Annunciation, and the anniversary of the death of our venerable founder, Archbishop Lefebvre.

In his address to the future novice, Mgr Tissier de Mallerais spoke of the fruit of meditating on the first Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary - humility. He described the greatness of this virtue present, respectively, in the Word made Flesh, in Our Lady, and in the Archangel St Gabriel.

To prepare herself worthily, by God’s grace, for the religious and apostolic life, the new novice should remind herself always of the prayer said in blessing her habit: “O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, being God, hast deigned to take the state of a servant, making Thyself like to man, and to take a human nature for our salvation, we beseech Thee to bless this habit and Thy servant here present vesting herself with it, so that she may clothe herself with Thee, by imitating Thee, Who art the example of all perfection.”

The Magnificat resounded again on 25 July in the Holy Family Chapel in nearby Sion. In his sermon, Rev. Fr Philippe Lovey of the SSPX General House in Menzingen explained to the faithful the role of the Oblates in the Society, and the apostolic goal of their vocation.

The word ‘oblate’ means ‘being offered’, being given to God: thus the Oblates draw all the graces of their religious life from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Like Our Lady, the Handmaid of the Lord, they accomplish the simple daily tasks confided to them by their superiors, tasks which are transfigured through love, and which are offered to God and for souls.

Before an open Tabernacle, our three novices, originally from France and the Philippines, gave themselves entirely to the service of God and souls: “We make to Thee the offering of our persons, of our lives, of all that we have, of all that we are, for Thy greater glory, O my God, for the salvation of our souls, and very especially for the sanctification of priests and future priests.”

In the name of the Superior General, Fr Lovey received the three chosen ones as Oblates of the Society. After that ceremony, we numbered seven novices and six postulants; the latter entered Salvan successively in 2004. Six pre-postulants are preparing themselves in the General House for the next group of admission to the novitiate. As there is no fixed date of entry, aspirants engage as SSPX Oblates after a year of postulancy and a year of novitiate.

Assisted by the priests in giving classes, our Novice Mistress, of German nationality, is also helped by one Swiss, two French and two Filipino Oblates. Formation is given simultaneously in French and English. With nine nationalities and various age groups represented in our house, we are often asked what language we speak. Apart from our own respective languages, we also speak an International French, and “with one heart and soul”, regardless of differences of language and age, together we unite in singing Our Lady’s Magnificat: My soul doth magnify the Lord.” †