FSSP Stats Released
Article by Michael Haynes
The Fraternity of Saint Peter saw 25 ordinations in 2026, as growth of the Latin Mass order continued apace despite restrictions on the old rite more generally
The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter has recorded a record year of ordinations, along with now counting over 600 members for the Latin Mass order.
As with every November 1, All Saints day marked the annual release of statistics for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP), the priestly society dedicated to the traditional Mass which was founded in 1988.
Some 25 new priests were ordained for the Fraternity in 2026, following completion of their training in one of the two seminaries the FSSP operates: in Germany and in North America.
This marks the highest number of new priests ordained for the Fraternity in a single year. Such a number looks set to continue in 2027, with the FSSP currently counting 24 deacons.
In total, the FSSP numbers just over 600 members: 410 priests, 24 deacons and 168 seminarians excluding the deacons. The average age of the Fraternity is just 39.
Indeed the total number of seminarians has grown notably since the 2021 publication of Traditionis Custodes. Excluding deacons, the FSSP has not counted less than 160 seminarians since 2020.
Spread across the globe, the Fraternity is particularly active in the USA and Europe. As such, the order ministers in 154 dioceses: the majority of which (43) are in America, followed closely by France, which sees the FSSP in 40 dioceses.
Founded in 1988 by priests and seminarians wishing to leave the Society of Saint Pius X after the 1988 episcopal consecrations by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the FSSP’s constitutions were officially approved by the Holy See in 2003. They outline that one of the Fraternity’s chief aims is the “sanctification of priests” through the “faithful observance of the ‘liturgical and disciplinary traditions’ according to the dispositions of the Motu proprio Ecclesia Dei of July 2, 1988, which is at the origin of its foundation.”
The FSSP is an Apostolic Society of Pontifical Right and recently had its particular character confirmed by Pope Francis. Following the publication of Traditionis Custodes which implemented sweeping restrictions on the traditional Mass, Pope Francis met privately with FSSP superiors in February 2022.
Such a meeting led to a Papal Decree noting that “institutes such as the Fraternity of St. Peter are not affected by the general provisions of the Motu Proprio Traditionis Custodes, since the use of the ancient liturgical books was at the origin of their existence and is provided for in their constitutions.”
Demonstrating the positive relationship between the FSSP and the Pope, Fraternity superiors met with Francis once again in February 2024. They thanked him for the 2022 Decree, but also noted “difficulties encountered in its application”. Francis was described as “very understanding” and then “invited the Fraternity of St. Peter to continue to build up ecclesial communion ever more fully through its own proper charism.”
In September 2024, the FSSP announced that they had been informed of an impending apostolic visitation from the Vatican. Due to the dissolution of the Ecclesia Dei committee, which the FSSP used to deal with at the Vatican, the order has come under the purview of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. No results of the Dicastery’s visitation have been made public.
Another audience followed with Pope Leo XIV in January 2026. The “cordial” meeting “provided an opportunity to evoke any misunderstandings and obstacles that the Fraternity encounters in certain places and to answer questions from the Supreme Pontiff.”
After being briefed on the “proper law and charism that guide the sanctification of its members” – namely the traditional Mass – Leo imparted his blessing to the Fraternity.
Michael Haynes is an English journalist in the Holy See Press Corps. He serves as Vatican Correspondent for the Catholic Herald, while readers can follow him at Per Mariam and on X @MLJHaynes.
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