Coming soon to Chicago... Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

[Dawn Marie]

Chicago finally gets a priory!

 

 

Right to left: Fr. Charles Ward
and Fr. Joseph Dreher in front of the new priory

On August 15th, Our Lady Immaculate Priory was newly-opened in Chicago. It has been 30 years since the SSPX's Chicago mission of Our Lady Immaculate began, obtaining in 1990 its present-day church and school complex in nearby Oak Park. And now the Windy City will finally have resident priests of the SSPX.

Our Lady Immaculate Church and Academy in Oak Park,
just a few blocks away from the Chicago city limits

Chicago - nicknamed the "Windy City" - is the third-largest metropolis in the United States. It also has the distinction of being a mecca of Catholic immigrants during much of its history. This is readily seen by the Catholic institutions, churches, schools and Blessed Virgin Mary lawn statues which abound throughout the Chicagoland area (which includes its surrounding suburbs). Thus a priory has been much needed here for many years to further the growth and continued expansion of the SSPX's apostolate, and thereby aid the area's conversion back to Tradition.

 

A priory in Chicago is also logistically ideal, as its extensive rapid transit system and local airports easily allow the priory's priests to travel to their missions and apostolates. Two states that will be serviced from the new priory are Wisconsin and Indiana, whose Mass-circuit traveling times will now be considerably shortened. The priory is also only 20 minutes from the SSPX's chapel, Our Lady Immaculate Church.

 

The traveling conveniences offered by the new priory will especially be important to another resident who will be joining the priory in December: Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais.

From Chicago he will journey throughout the United States (and beyond, thanks to nearby O'Hare International Airport) to assist with the sacramental needs of the faithful, such as administrating confirmations.

Coming soon to Chicago...
Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

The priory building was formerly a convent of the School Sisters of St. Francis, a moribund congregation due to its adoption of Modernism. For decades the sisters had been teaching next door at St. Priscilla's School (which is still active along with the parish). The sisters needed funds badly for the care of its elderly members, and so the SSPX was able to purchase this large complex which included a chapel, offices, a refectory, recreational room, library, and even its own courtyard, which makes the building ideal for the priory-community life of Society priests.

Thenew priory faces the usual difficulties of such a beginning. Financial limitations and the difficulties of updating a building constructed in 1954 are to be expected. To add to the troubles, the nearby church in Oak Park also has maintenance issues, having been built in the early 20th century.

Fr. Charles Ward has been appointed the first prior. A Chicago native himself and the former long-time prior at Our Lady of the Angels Church in Arcadia (Los Angeles), California, the regional importance of his priory is not lost upon him:

A priory should be seen as a radiator of the Faith - a center of Catholic formation to inspire and form Catholics to extend the Kingship of Christ in this Midwest region of the country. We hope with the grace of God to receive more priests to aid us in our work.

The other priest residing at the Chicago priory is Fr. Joseph Dreher, formerly the District Secretary at the Regina Coeli House in Platte City, Missouri. With many organization skills and 16 years of experience, he is currently caring for the sick, teaching in Our Lady Immaculate Academy and caring for a large group of faithful in Mukwonago (Milwaukee area), Wisconsin.

Priory/Chapel details

Fr. Charles Ward, Prior
Fr. Joseph Dreher, Assistant

Our Lady Immaculate Priory
7011 W. Addison Street
Chicago, IL 60634
773-685- 6750 tel

 

Our Lady Immaculate Church
410 Washington Boulevard
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-524-2408 tel
708-524-0753 fax

source

[Cathleen]

I don't know why but that headline just tickled my funny bone this morning!  Thanks!  :-D

[Dawn Marie]

We desperately need him here in the States.  Some people say it is a "punishment" handed down to him from Menzingen, but frankly I see it as the Merciful hand of God.  Some of our men here and some of the faithful need to be shook up by his incredible and unwavering presence.

[Cathleen]

Oh, DM, I agree on that, no doubt.  He is sorely needed here in the US.

I meant that headline for the article...."Coming soon to Chicago!"  It almost sounded like an announcement for a new play or something.  I was in a loopy mood this morning, so maybe that is why.  :-p 

[Dawn Marie]

Ah ha!  My silly headline worked!  It made you giggle....heehee