THE HISTORY OF THE SSPX

History of the SSPX: Part 1 – The Foundation

SSPX History of the Society of Saint Pius X, defenders of the Traditional Latin Mass - The foundation of the Society in Econe, Switzerland

History of the SSPX: Part 2 – The Mass

SSPX History of the Society of Saint Pius X, defenders of the Traditional Latin Mass - The importance of the Tridentine Mass

History of the SSPX: Part 3 – The Consecrations

SSPX History of the Society of Saint Pius X, defenders of the Traditional Latin Mass - Archbishop Lefebvre consecrates four Bishops. Disobedience?

History of the SSPX: Part 4 – The Growth

SSPX History of the Society of Saint Pius X, defenders of the Traditional Latin Mass - The SSPX Continues to grow and expand

History of the SSPX: Part 5 – The Present

SSPX History of the Society of Saint Pius X, defenders of the Traditional Latin Mass - Know and recognize the actions of the Society by its fruits

The foundation: 1970

Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre founded the Society of Saint Pius X on November 1, 1970, after young men asked him for traditional priestly formation. Its beginnings at Ecône, Switzerland, centered on preparing priests through study, prayer, and the Traditional Latin Mass.

Difficulties and growth

The General House's account describes the 1974 seminary visitation, the Society's suppression in 1975, and Archbishop Lefebvre's suspension in 1976. It explains his decision to continue the seminary and ordinations as a defense of Catholic Tradition. New seminaries and apostolates subsequently developed beyond Switzerland.

1988 and the continuation of the apostolate

In 1988, Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four bishops following negotiations with Rome. The SSPX's account presents his intention to preserve its priestly work. He died on March 25, 1991; the Society continued its seminaries, chapels, and religious life. The account also recalls the 2000 pilgrimage to Rome, Summorum Pontificum in 2007, and the lifting of the four bishops' excommunications in 2009.

The recordings above offer further study. Read A Beautiful Mystery: The History of the Society of St. Pius X, the official General House source for this overview.