About

Introduction

The Old Roman Apostolate, as a Traditional Catholic missionary apostolate, embodies a steadfast commitment to preserving and promulgating the timeless teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Rooted in the original and ancient traditions of the Church, this apostolate serves as a beacon for those seeking to maintain the purity and integrity of the faith as it was handed down through the ages.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the Old Roman Apostolate is to evangelize and re-evangelize, focusing on the core tenets of Catholicism that have stood the test of time. Its vision is to foster a profound spiritual renewal by adhering to the liturgical, doctrinal, and disciplinary standards that characterized the Church before the modern reforms of the Second Vatican Council. This includes a particular emphasis on the Tridentine Mass, the traditional Latin liturgy, which is seen as a vital expression of the Church’s sacred heritage.

Evangelization Efforts

The apostolate engages in various forms of missionary work, both within traditional Catholic communities and in areas where the faith has waned. This includes:

Catechesis and Education: Offering comprehensive catechetical programs that teach the fundamentals of the Catholic faith, moral theology, and spiritual formation based on the Catechism of the Council of Trent and other traditional sources.
Liturgy: Celebrating the sacraments, especially the Holy Mass, in the Extraordinary Form. The beauty and solemnity of the traditional liturgy are seen as powerful tools for evangelization and sanctification.
Community Building: Establishing and nurturing traditional Catholic communities where the faithful can live out their faith fully, with a strong emphasis on family values, community prayer, and mutual support.

Spiritual Formation

A critical aspect of the Old Roman Apostolate’s work is the spiritual formation of both clergy and laity. This involves:

Retreats and Spiritual Exercises: Organizing regular retreats and spiritual exercises based on the traditions of saints like St. Ignatius of Loyola, fostering deep personal conversions and spiritual growth.
Clerical Training: Forming priests who are well-versed in traditional liturgy, theology, and pastoral care, ensuring that they can faithfully lead the faithful in the spiritual and sacramental life.
Lay Involvement: Encouraging lay participation in various apostolic activities, recognizing the crucial role of the laity in the mission of the Church.

Defence of Tradition

In a modern context where the Church faces numerous challenges, the Old Roman Apostolate stands as a defender of orthodoxy and tradition. It actively engages in:

Apologetics: Defending the traditional teachings of the Church against modernist interpretations and secular challenges.
Cultural Preservation: Preserving and promoting traditional Catholic art, music, and literature as means of maintaining a rich cultural heritage that glorifies God and edifies the faithful.

Global Reach

The apostolate’s efforts are not confined to any one geographical area. It seeks to reach Catholics around the world who are yearning for the spiritual depth and doctrinal clarity that traditional Catholicism offers. Through the use of modern communication tools, including the internet and social media, the Old Roman Apostolate extends its reach globally, making traditional Catholic resources and support accessible to a wider audience.

What the Old Roman Apostolate is not

Sometimes it is easier to explain what one is not rather than what one is. By clarifying misconceptions and distinguishing itself from similar yet distinct entities, the Old Roman Apostolate defines its mission more precisely:

1. Not a Sedevacantist or Conclavist Movement
The Old Roman Apostolate does not reject the legitimacy of the reigning Pope or claim the Holy See is vacant. It does not promote the election of alternative claimants or engage in sedevacantist rhetoric. Instead, it maintains a traditional Catholic position while recognizing Rome’s authority, albeit with necessary critiques.

2. Not a Breakaway or Independent Church
It is not a separate ecclesial body but a continuation of the historical Old Roman Catholic tradition, maintaining apostolic succession, valid sacraments, and fidelity to traditional Catholic teaching. It does not claim to be a “new” church but rather a faithful remnant of pre-Vatican II Catholicism.

3. Not a Society or Fraternity of Priests
Unlike groups like the FSSP or SSPX, the Old Roman Apostolate is not just a priestly fraternity offering the traditional sacraments. It encompasses a broader mission, including bishops, clergy, religious, and laity, actively working to preserve and propagate the fullness of Catholic tradition worldwide.

4. Not a Mere Historical Revival
While rooted in the Old Roman Catholic lineage, the Apostolate is not a nostalgic or antiquarian effort to recreate the past. It is an active, living mission applying traditional Catholic principles to the modern world, evangelizing and forming faithful communities.

5. Not in Schism with the Catholic Church
The Old Roman Apostolate does not claim to be in formal schism. It upholds Catholic doctrine and discipline while maintaining the traditional Latin liturgy and sacramental rites. It does not reject the Pope but seeks to remain faithful to the unchanging magisterium of the Church.

6. Not a Liberal or Modernist Entity
The Apostolate is not aligned with liberal theological currents or modernist interpretations of doctrine. It stands firmly against doctrinal innovation, adhering to the perennial teachings of the Church as handed down by the Apostles and preserved by the Fathers, Doctors, and Councils of the Church.

7. Not Antagonistic Toward Rome
The Old Roman Apostolate is not an adversarial movement against the Holy See. It does not operate in a spirit of rebellion or hostility but rather in filial devotion to the See of Peter, even when expressing concerns over modern developments. Its goal is to uphold and defend authentic Catholic tradition, not to attack or undermine the Church’s legitimate authority.

8. Not Against Modernity
The Old Roman Apostolate is not opposed to modernity itself but to the errors that often accompany it. It embraces technological and societal advancements that align with Catholic morality and tradition while resisting secularism, relativism, and ideologies that undermine the faith. It seeks to apply timeless Catholic principles to contemporary challenges, ensuring the faith remains vibrant and relevant in today’s world.

9. Not Against Personal Freedoms or Liberties
The Old Roman Apostolate does not oppose personal freedoms or legitimate liberties but upholds the Catholic understanding of true freedom—the freedom to seek and live according to the truth. It recognizes the dignity of the human person, the importance of free will, and the necessity of moral responsibility. The Apostolate stands against coercion, totalitarianism, and ideologies that infringe upon the God-given rights of individuals while affirming that authentic liberty is always ordered toward the good.

10. Not Ecumenical in the Modern Sense
The Old Roman Apostolate does not engage in ecumenism as understood in the post-Vatican II sense, which often involves theological compromise or relativizing doctrinal truth. Instead, it upholds the traditional Catholic approach to Christian unity—seeking the return of separated brethren to the fullness of the Catholic faith. However, it cooperates with others for the common good of society and the supreme good of salvation, provided such collaboration does not relativize Catholic truth or weaken the Church’s divine mission.

Conclusion

The Old Roman Apostolate represents a profound dedication to the original and enduring teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. By focusing on the timeless elements of Catholic tradition, it aims to inspire a renewal of faith and a deeper commitment to the spiritual life among Catholics everywhere. This apostolate is a testament to the belief that the ancient paths of the faith continue to hold vital and transformative power in the modern world.