A Letter of Gratitude to Archbishop Burke

Editor:

The magnificent structure of St. Francis de Sales Church, the so-called "Cathedral of South St. Louis," is a very appropriate setting for the beauty and piety of the Traditional Mass. Its pre-existing accommodations (air conditioning, parking, church basement, two school buildings, rectory and a convent) provide the opportunity for a great future for the Latin Mass apostolate and for a lot of new activities.

The new canonical status of an oratory grants much broader possibilities for the pastoral needs of the faithful and for the development of the Latin Mass in St. Louis. As the number of faithful attending the Latin Mass at St. Agatha has already grown during the last two months from 300 to around 500 on a normal Sunday, St. Francis de Sales, the biggest church of the archdiocese after the Cathedral Basilica, will allow for further growth of the apostolate.

Therefore the decision of the Most Reverend Archbishop to transfer the Latin Mass Apostolate to St. Francis de Sales Church is indeed a great and generous gift to all of us in the archdiocese. The necessary structural work will take some time and effort, but it is worthwhile to assure the great future of the Latin Mass in St. Louis, the "Rome of the West." Generous donors have assured their help to make necessary improvements.

With gratitude towards his Excellency, Archbishop Burke, and to all the faithful who have welcomed us here, we look forward to a fruitful apostolate at St. Francis de Sales and the opportunity to serve the Church at large in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Msgr. Michael R. Schmitz, Rector of St. Agatha
U.S. Provincial Superiore
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

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