Sisters of the Society of St. Pius X

Published by the Sisters

Beginnings

The congregation of the Sisters of the Society Saint Pius X was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, helped by his sister, Mother Mary Gabriel Lefebvre.

The Archbishop desired to have religious who would help and support the apostolate of the priests by their prayers and apostolate. He called on his sister, a missionary religious of the Holy Ghost like himself, to second him in the accomplishment of this work.

Mother Mary Gabriel put herself generously in the service of the Society, and in 1973, she began the formation of young aspirants to the religious life while the Archbishop wrote the constitutions of the new congregation.

On 22 September 1974, the first taking of habit ceremony took place at Ecône, marking the birthday of the congregation of the Sisters of the Society of Saint Pius X. Today there are more than 200 Sisters working in 30 houses on five continents.

Spirit

Placed under the patronage of Saint Pius X, Archbishop Lefebvre gave the community another beautiful title: Sisters of Our Lady of Compassion. She is given to us as our model.

Following the example of Our Lady at the side of her divine Son, the High Priest, the Sisters of the Society Saint Pius X make their life a continual prayer made of compassion, of loving reparation, offering themselves for the sanctification of priests and the fruitfulness of their apostolate.

If you want to spend your whole life truly united to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, to the Sacrifice of the Cross, you will do so by placing yourself under the protection of Our Lady of Compassion.

Life

The congregation of the Sisters of the Society Saint Pius X is a religious institute that combines the active life and the contemplative life. By the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, the Sisters offer to God their whole person, for His greater glory and the extension of His reign in souls.

Spiritual exercises

Our life of prayer is nourished daily by Holy Mass, mental prayer, the recitation of part of the Divine Office, the rosary and by an hour of reparatory adoration consecrated to prayer for the Church, the Pope, bishops, priests and consecrated souls.

Apostolate

Our apostolic work unites and blends with that of the priests of the Society, for the goal of our activity is to facilitate and complete the priestly apostolate. In the likeness of Our Lady, we relieve the priests of material cares, leaving them more available to accomplish their ministry.

We also take care of all that is connected with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: Gregorian chant, care of the sacristy, making vestments and altar linens.

The Sisters complete the priests’ apostolate in parishes and missions by:

• teaching catechism
• preparation for the sacraments
• teaching in elementary schools
• formation in Christian virtue by means of summer camps, girls’ groups, etc.
• visits to the sick and the elderly...

Nothing will be little or insignificant in their lives; everything will be grace and will sanctify them. (Constitutions)

In all these works, whether they be humble and hidden or more directly apostolic, the Sisters strive to accomplish them with the same love and the same spirit of sacrifice. Living with God ourselves and deeply united to Him, we have at heart to give Him to others, and to make Him known and loved by all souls.

Novitiate

Young ladies between 18 and 30 years of age, guided by a right intention and having sufficient physical and intellectual aptitudes, may be admitted to the Congregation. The postulancy lasts for six months. It ends with the receiving of the habit, which marks the beginning of a two-year novitiate. At the end of this time of probation and of doctrinal and religious formation, the novice is admitted to pronounce the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, which consecrate her entirely to God, as a spouse of Christ. After religious profession, the Sisters are sent to priories or other houses of the Congregation.

Contact

For more information, please write to:

Sisters of the Society Saint Pius X Sacred Heart Novitiate
540 West 8th Street
Browerville, MN 56438
USA

Tel. +1 (320) 594 2944

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