A.D. 2026: The Year of St. Francis, the SSPX, and Church Renewal

The recent announcements from both the SSPX and the Holy See about the impending episcopal consecrations have ignited a fresh wave of digital melees. Speculations, opinions, and even accusations abound on the decision, the declared potential consequences, and the perceived legitimacy of these consequences. And there's no denying this is an event of monumental significance in the Church. It's one that will objectively have a huge impact on the historical trajectory of both the traditionalist movement as a whole and of the Church in its long, patient pilgrimage on earth.

But this shouldn't be a matter of news cycles, opinion pieces, and endless argumentation. And I direct this at myself as much as anyone else; I've certainly contributed to the digital noise. So I've tried to step back and let the dust settle a bit, and to look at this issue from a new angle. And when I did, I remembered something that I now believe to be truly providential in its timing: that Pope Leo XIV has declared the year 2026 to be the Year of St Francis, "in which every Christian faithful, following the example of the Saint of Assisi, may himself become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace."

Why is this important? Because the SSPX is attempting to do what St Francis was called by the Lord to do: renew the Church. And no matter which "side" one finds themselves on, all can agree that the Church is in need of renewal. But what is the optimal way to bring about this renewal?

Let's turn to Pope Benedict XVI, who said the following in a general audience in 2010 about this great saint:

Three times Christ on the Cross came to life, and told him: "Go, Francis, and repair my Church in ruins". This simple occurrence of the word of God heard in the Church of St Damian contains a profound symbolism. At that moment St Francis was called to repair the small church, but the ruinous state of the building was a symbol of the dramatic and disquieting situation of the Church herself. At that time the Church had a superficial faith which did not shape or transform life, a scarcely zealous clergy, and a chilling of love. It was an interior destruction of the Church which also brought a decomposition of unity, with the birth of heretical movements. Yet, there at the centre of the Church in ruins was the Crucified Lord, and he spoke: he called for renewal, he called Francis to the manual labour of repairing the small Church of St Damian, the symbol of a much deeper call to renew Christ's own Church, with her radicality of faith and her loving enthusiasm for Christ.

...it is important to note that St Francis does not renew the Church without or in opposition to the Pope, but only in communion with him. The two realities go together: the Successor of Peter, the Bishops, the Church founded on the succession of the Apostles and the new charism that the Holy Spirit brought to life at that time for the Church's renewal. Authentic renewal grew from these together.

The Poverello of Assisi understood that every charism as a gift of the Holy Spirit existed to serve the Body of Christ, which is the Church; therefore he always acted in full communion with the ecclesial authorities. In the life of the Saints there is no contradiction between prophetic charism and the charism of governance, and if tension arises, they know to patiently await the times determined by the Holy Spirit.

...he knew that Christ was never "mine" but is always "ours", that "I" cannot possess Christ that "I" cannot rebuild in opposition to the Church, her will and her teaching. Instead it is only in communion with the Church built on the Apostolic succession that obedience too, to the word of God can be renewed.

It is also true that Francis had no intention of creating a new Order, but solely that of renewing the People of God for the Lord who comes. He understood, however, through suffering and pain that everything must have its own order and that the law of the Church is necessary to give shape to renewal. Thus he placed himself fully, with his heart, in communion with the Church, with the Pope and with the Bishops. He always knew that the centre of the Church is the Eucharist, where the Body of Christ and his Blood are made present through the priesthood, the Eucharist and the communion of the Church.

Let's take this opportunity in the Year of St. Francis to follow his example in our efforts of renewing the Church. We face a situation very similar to his, and many of us will come to a crossroads within a few months. The course of history and the example of this great saint both show us the path that has brought fruit, and we should all take this time to ask for St. Francis' intercession to help guide the Church through this decisive point in history.