Episode 2093: Marcel: The Remnant - Part 3 of 3

Continuation of Episode 2070: Marcel: The Remnant - Part 2

Chapter 24: The Fateful Meeting
In the cozy confines of Mr. Bernard Fay's home, the flickering light of candles cast dancing shadows on the faces of those gathered. Mr. Fay, a figure of quiet authority, sat at the head of the room, his expression grave yet determined.
Around the coffee table, a group of concerned individuals huddled close, their cups of coffee forgotten as they engaged in earnest discussion. Among them were Fr. Philippe, Fr. D'Hauterive, and two esteemed professors from Fribourg University, their expressions reflecting the weight of the matter at hand.
Fr. Philippe, his voice tinged with urgency, broke the silence that hung heavy in the air. "Your Excellency, you have to do something," he implored, his words echoing the collective concern of the group. "You cannot just leave these seminarians as they are."
Interrupting, Fr. D'Hauterive interjected firmly, his tone resolute. "Excuse me, your Excellency," he interjected, "We will be sure to send you others; it will not be difficult."
The Archbishop, his gaze steady yet contemplative, listened intently as the discussion unfolded. Thoughts of responsibility and duty weighed heavily on his mind, mingling with the memories of teachings past.
"Thank you for calling me to meet with you," the Archbishop finally spoke, his words a beacon of reassurance in the midst of uncertainty. "Your concerns are very well founded."
Mr. Fay leaned forward, his eyes fixed intently on the Archbishop, his voice filled with urgency. "Good, then you will help us. You will help the seminarians?" he pressed, his words hanging in the air like a solemn plea.
Fr. Philippe, sensing the Archbishop's hesitation, interjected gently. "Mr. Fay, please let your Excellency finish," he urged, his tone respectful yet insistent.
The Archbishop, his expression a mask of contemplation, surveyed the faces gathered around him, each one bearing the weight of their shared concern. With a sigh, he spoke, his words tinged with both resolve and uncertainty.
"No, that is quite alright," the Archbishop replied, his voice carrying a note of resignation. "I share your passion. However, I am 65 years old, and I have to start all over again."
Fr. D'Hauterive, his unwavering gaze fixed on the Archbishop, spoke with conviction. "But your Excellency, we will help you," he declared, his words a testament to their collective commitment.
The Archbishop, his thoughts momentarily drifting to days long past, felt a surge of determination coursing through his veins. "I am sure you will," he responded, his voice steady yet tinged with apprehension. "I am willing to find money for them to pay their room and board, and I will be happy to direct them a little in their studies; I am very willing to help them."
Fr. Philippe, his eyes alight with hope, leaned forward eagerly. "How can we assist?" he inquired, his voice a beacon of solidarity in the gathering gloom.
"We can all help to find them a priest, a chaplain who will take an interest in them," the Archbishop replied, his words a promise of support in the face of adversity. "But as far as I know personally, I am in Rome now and I have no intention of leaving. I am not interested in beginning a new undertaking."
Fr. D'Hauterive, his expression one of steadfast determination, spoke with unwavering conviction. "Your Excellency, you don’t understand," he insisted. "Without your help, we will not have a chance. We must have you!"
With a heavy sigh, the Archbishop relented, his resolve mingling with a sense of duty that burned brightly within him. "Fine!" he declared, his words a solemn oath in the face of uncertainty. "Listen, it is simple. Since you insist, it will be Bishop Charriere who decides. I am retired and do not have the authority without him. He will decide."
Fr. Philippe, his gratitude palpable in the air, spoke with heartfelt sincerity. "Thank you, your Excellency," he murmured, his words a chorus of relief in the gathering storm.
And so, amidst the flickering candlelight of Mr. Bernard Fay's home, a pact was forged a pact born of necessity, tempered by resolve, and bound by the shared commitment of those gathered to uphold the sacred traditions of their faith.

Chapter 25: A Covenant of Resolve
As the echoes of their conversation lingered in the air, the Archbishop's mind wandered back to a time when his path seemed clearer, when the weight of responsibility had not yet settled so heavily upon his shoulders. Yet, in the faces of those gathered before him, he found renewed purpose a purpose born of shared determination and unwavering faith.
"If Bishop Charriere does not agree, then I will not do anything or will do only what he tells me," the Archbishop declared, his words a solemn vow in the presence of his steadfast companions.
Fr. Philippe, his voice tinged with relief, spoke with heartfelt gratitude. "Agreed," he murmured, his words a testament to the unity of their cause.
With a nod of assent, the Archbishop rose from his seat, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames of the hearth. "Let us trust in divine providence," he intoned, his voice a beacon of hope in the gathering darkness. "For it is she who guides our steps and leads us ever forward, even in the face of uncertainty."
And so, amidst the dimly lit confines of Mr. Bernard Fay's home, a covenant of resolve was sealed a covenant forged in the crucible of adversity, tempered by the fires of faith, and bound by the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood.
As they parted ways, each one carrying with them the weight of their shared commitment, the Archbishop felt a renewed sense of purpose stirring within him a purpose fueled by the unwavering conviction that, together, they would overcome whatever trials lay ahead.
And so, with hearts ablaze with the fire of their shared resolve, they embarked upon a journey fraught with challenges yet illuminated by the light of their unwavering faith a journey that would lead them to the very heart of divine providence and the fulfillment of their sacred mission.

Chapter 26: A Meeting at the Café
The sun cast a warm glow over the bustling outdoor café as Fr. Bonvin, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, and Mr. Lovey settled around a wrought-iron table adorned with a checkered tablecloth. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sounds of clinking glasses and distant chatter, creating an atmosphere of casual elegance.
With a courteous nod, Mr. Lovey addressed the Archbishop, his voice carrying a tone of deference. "How may I be of service to you, your Excellency?"
The Archbishop, clad in his traditional cassock, leaned forward attentively. "I understand there may be a property, once owned by the Canons of the Great Saint Bernard, that you are considering either selling or leasing."
Mr. Lovey, a man of discernible business acumen, nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, that is correct. We possess a building with a storied past a relic of the Great St. Bernards. However, its previous occupants sought to part ways with it, prompting our interest in its disposition."
Intrigued, the Archbishop inquired further, "And what became of the building after it left the hands of its original owners?"
With a hint of reluctance, Mr. Lovey recounted the building's transformation over the years a journey marked by shifts in purpose and fortune. From its origins as a sanctuary for religious contemplation to its descent into disrepute as a house of ill repute, the building had weathered the vicissitudes of time.
Undeterred by its checkered history, Mr. Lovey revealed how a group of enterprising individuals from Valais, including himself, had pooled their resources to acquire the property.
Curiosity piqued, Fr. Bonvin interjected, seeking clarification on the identities of the other stakeholders involved in the acquisition.
With a genial smile, Mr. Lovey listed their names, each resonating with a sense of purpose and camaraderie.
As the conversation unfolded, the Archbishop, ever the astute observer, pondered the significance of their endeavor a venture that held the promise of new beginnings and untold possibilities.
In the tranquil confines of Vignettaz House, nestled amidst verdant fields and rolling hills, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre stood amidst a gathering of devout seminarians, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight.
With reverence, the Archbishop cradled a leather-bound tome the approved statutes of the Society of Pius X his hands tracing the embossed lettering with a sense of reverence.
The seminarians, a diverse assembly of young men united by a shared devotion to their calling, gathered around their revered leader, their voices rising in a harmonious chorus of jubilation and praise.
Addressing his eager disciples, the Archbishop spoke with a tone of solemnity and conviction. "Men, behold the sacred charter that shall guide our path a testament to our unwavering commitment to the timeless truths of our faith."
In his eyes, a glimmer of resolve burned bright a steadfast beacon amidst the encroaching shadows of uncertainty.
With hearts aflame with zeal and purpose, the seminarians pledged their unwavering allegiance to the cause of a sacred mission entrusted to them by divine providence.
As they stood united in their shared purpose, the Archbishop's words resonated with a clarity that transcended mere rhetoric, instilling within each of them a sense of purpose and resolve.
In that hallowed moment, amidst the flickering candlelight and hushed whispers of devotion, the Society of Pius X was born a beacon of hope amidst the gathering storm.

Chapter 27: The Salleron Interview
In the intimate confines of Econe, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre prepared to confront the accusations levied against him in a candid interview with Louis Salleron a pivotal moment that would test the depths of his convictions and the resilience of his faith.
As Salleron entered the room, his demeanor marked by a mixture of deference and curiosity, the Archbishop greeted him with a nod of acknowledgment, his eyes betraying a flicker of apprehension beneath their steely resolve.
Seated across from one another, the Archbishop and Salleron engaged in a spirited exchange a verbal duel of ideologies and convictions that would shape the course of history.
With each probing question, each carefully crafted response, the Archbishop defended his beliefs with a tenacity born of unwavering faith and unyielding conviction.
As the interview unfolded, the Archbishop's words resonated with a clarity and conviction that left an indelible impression upon his interlocutor a testament to the strength of his character and the depth of his faith.
In that hallowed moment, amidst the hushed whispers of debate and dissent, the Archbishop stood as a beacon of hope a steadfast defender of tradition in the face of adversity.
In the solitude of his office, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre received word of the Pope's response to his interview with Salleron a missive that would cast a long shadow over his future endeavors and test the limits of his resolve.
With a sense of trepidation, the Archbishop listened as a priest read aloud the Pope's words a solemn pronouncement that bore the weight of papal authority and the sting of rebuke.
As the room filled with palpable tension, the Archbishop's resolve remained unshaken, his faith unwavering in the face of adversity.
With each passing word, each solemn declaration, the Archbishop's determination only grew stronger a testament to the strength of his convictions and the depth of his faith.
In that solemn moment, amidst the gathering storm of dissent and discord, the Archbishop stood as a beacon of hope a steadfast defender of tradition in the face of adversity, ready to confront whatever trials lay ahead with unwavering resolve.
The atmosphere in the Archbishop's office at Econe was heavy with anticipation as Marcel Lefebvre awaited the arrival of his brother, Rene. The room, adorned with rich mahogany furnishings and illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight, exuded an aura of solemnity befitting the weighty conversation that was about to unfold.
As the sturdy oak door swung open, revealing the silhouette of his brother against the dimly lit corridor beyond, Marcel's heart clenched with a mixture of apprehension and longing. Rene entered with a solemn expression; his tall frame stooped slightly under the weight of unspoken concerns.
"Marcel," Rene greeted him with a mixture of warmth and trepidation, his voice echoing softly in the quietude of the room. "How fare you in these turbulent times?"
Marcel offered his brother a weary smile, his eyes betraying the weariness that gnawed at his soul. "Rene, my dear brother, it is both a blessing and a burden to see you. Your presence brings solace, yet I sense the gravity of your visit."
Taking a seat opposite Marcel, Rene's gaze searched his brother's face, his brow furrowed with concern. "Marcel, the whispers that circulate about your defiance of the Pope trouble me deeply. How can you turn against the Holy Father?"
Marcel's expression grew somber, his gaze fixed upon his brother with unwavering resolve. "Rene, it is not a matter of turning against the Pope, but rather a question of fidelity to the timeless traditions of our faith. The winds of change brought by the Council threaten to upend the very foundations of our beliefs."
Rene nodded slowly; his features etched with understanding tinged with apprehension. "But Marcel, to defy the Pope it is a perilous path you tread. Have you not received warnings from Rome regarding your actions?"
Marcel's shoulders sagged under the weight of his brother's words; his expression heavy with the burden of responsibility. "Yes, Rene, I have indeed been admonished by Rome. Mgr. Benelli has conveyed the Pope's concerns to me, urging compliance with the directives of Vatican II."
A flicker of concern passed over Rene's features, his eyes betraying a hint of fear for his brother's well-being. "And how do you respond to these admonitions, Marcel? Do you not fear the consequences of defying the Holy See?"
Marcel's gaze hardened with resolve as he met his brother's eyes, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across his weathered features. "I cannot, in good conscience, abandon the principles that have guided me throughout my life. The preservation of our faith, as handed down through the centuries, outweighs any earthly consequences."
As their conversation unfolded against the backdrop of uncertainty and dissent, the echoes of their words resonated through the hallowed halls of Econe a testament to the unwavering convictions that bound them together in the face of adversity.

Chapter 28: The Unyielding Resolve
Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre stood tall in the dimly lit room; his figure outlined by the soft glow of candlelight. Before him, Fr. Rene Lefebvre, his younger brother, looked on with a mixture of concern and disbelief.
"So there you have it! You are done! Now simply retire as you should have already and put all this nonsense to an end," Fr. Rene urged, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Nonsense? Do you think this is nonsense?" Archbishop Marcel countered, his voice firm and unwavering. "Have you seen the abuses that have gone on under the name of this Second Vatican Council? More than ever I will not stop. More than ever I will take the words of Pope Pius XII with even more conviction 'Never stop, take the stand for Tradition.'"
Fr. Rene sighed, knowing his brother's determination all too well. "So you will continue with the ordinations this month?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"The ordinations of June 29th will continue as planned," Archbishop Marcel affirmed. "These priests have studied and become legitimate priests the same way you and I have become priests."
Fr. Rene shook his head, a sense of helplessness creeping over him. "So there is nothing I can do to save my brother from being thrown out of the Catholic Church?"
"If I am in fact thrown out or my priests are expelled, we are doing so under the cause of protecting Holy Mother Church and will never lay down because the pressure is too great," Archbishop Marcel declared. "Even if they do send my Brother to me."
"They didn’t send me! They know us Lefebvre’s will never betray each other," Fr. Rene insisted, his voice pleading. "I just fear for you my Brother. I fear for your soul!"
"Fear not!" Archbishop Marcel replied, his conviction unwavering. "As Pope Pius XII reminded me when I asked, 'how will I know'. He replied, 'By your fruits you shall know them.' Rene, their fruits are not good. Their fruits are pure modernism, liberalism, and humanism. Their fruits are not of God."

Chapter 29: The Ordinations of 1976
The sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting its golden light upon the gathering crowds outside the Econe Ordinations venue. Inside, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre stood at the pulpit, ready to deliver his sermon on this auspicious occasion.
"In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," the Archbishop began, his voice resonating through the hall.
"Amen!" echoed the congregation in unison.
"My dear friends, dear confreres, dear brethren who have come from every country, from all horizons," the Archbishop continued, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd. "It is a joy for us to welcome you and to feel you so close to us at this moment so important for our Fraternity and also for the Church."
As the Archbishop spoke, the camera panned across the faces of the congregation, capturing the reverence and devotion etched upon each visage. Suddenly, it focused on a car parked at the back of the venue, where a Cardinal sat with a priest by his side.
"There you have it. That is the straw that has broken our Holy Father's back," the Cardinal remarked, his tone laced with frustration. "He has continued with the ordinations in complete disobedience. He has dug his own grave. It is out of our hands now."
"You have to give him credit. He is definitely a zealot," the priest commented, earning a sharp glance from the Cardinal.
The scene shifted back to Archbishop Marcel at the pulpit, his voice resolute as he addressed the congregation.
"Are we wrong in obstinately wanting to keep the rite of all time?" he asked, his eyes searching the faces before him. "We have prayed, we have consulted, we have reflected, we have mediated to discover if it is not indeed we who are in error, or if we do not really have a sufficient reason not to submit ourselves to the new rite."
As the Archbishop spoke, the Cardinal in the car observed with a mix of disdain and frustration.
"Wonder? Who gave him the right to wonder anything?" the Cardinal muttered under his breath.
But Archbishop Marcel pressed on, his words ringing out with conviction. "And we have the precise conviction that this new rite of Mass expresses a new faith, a faith which is not ours, a faith which is not the Catholic Faith."
The Cardinal sitting in the car, his expression darkening with each word spoken by the Archbishop.
"So he knows what’s best for the Church. He knows better than the Pope himself," the Cardinal scoffed.
The Archbishop's sermon continued, each word a testament to his unwavering commitment to tradition in the face of modernist influence.

Chapter 30: The Momentous Day - The Defining Moment
In the dimly lit room, Father Walter Jaeger's eyes were fixed on Father Michael Gabrielli with a mix of anticipation and concern. The weight of the day's events hung heavy in the air as they embarked on a journey through the Society's tumultuous history.
"So, this was the day of all days for Society. This when the entire order is excommunicated, is it not?" Father Jaeger's voice quivered with emotion, betraying the gravity of the situation.
Father Gabrielli nodded solemnly; his brow furrowed with the weight of memory. "Indeed, it was a day that marked a profound rupture within the Church."
"But didn’t Cardinal Ratzinger do all in his power to try and stop Pope John Paul II from excommunicating the Archbishop and the Society?" Father Jaeger's inquiry cut through the somber atmosphere, seeking clarity amidst the chaos.
Father Gabrielli let out a heavy sigh, his gaze distant as he recounted the intricate web of discussions and negotiations that had preceded the fateful decision. "Cardinal Ratzinger's efforts were commendable, but he was ultimately constrained by the legacy of Vatican II and the complexities of ecclesiastical politics."
Their conversation unfolded like a tapestry, weaving together threads of loyalty, betrayal, and unwavering conviction.
As Father Jaeger delved deeper, Father Gabrielli recounted the pivotal moment when the Archbishop defied Rome's authority and proceeded with the consecration of bishops.
"The Archbishop saw through their veiled attempts at compromise," Father Gabrielli explained, his voice tinged with admiration for the Archbishop's steadfastness. "He knew that the time for concession had passed, and that decisive action was needed to preserve the integrity of the traditional faith."
Father Jaeger listened intently, his mind racing with questions about the Archbishop's motivations and the repercussions of his actions.
"Did the Archbishop ever have remorse over how he handled the consecration of the bishops?" Father Jaeger's inquiry hung in the air, a testament to the complexity of the situation.
Father, Marcel Lefebvre's resolute response echoed through Father Gabrielli's memory. "Absolutely not. Everything was truly providential and almost miraculous."
Their conversation meandered through the labyrinth of history, tracing the contours of faith and sacrifice.
As their discussion turned to the Archbishop's enduring legacy, Father Gabrielli reflected on the profound impact of his life and teachings.
"Even after his passing, the Society continues to thrive and grow," Father Gabrielli remarked, his voice filled with reverence for the Archbishop's unwavering commitment to tradition.
Father Jaeger nodded thoughtfully; his mind awash with images of the Archbishop's unwavering resolve in the face of adversity.
"So, would you say that Pope Benedict XVI harbored regrets for his conduct, leading to the reinstatement of the Traditional Latin Mass?" Father Jaeger's question cut through the stillness, probing the depths of Father Gabrielli's insights.
Father, Lefebvre's words resonated deeply within Father Gabrielli's soul. "I would like to believe so. Our Holy Father recognizes the importance of tradition amidst the tumult of modernity."
Their conversation concluded with a solemn acknowledgment of the Archbishop's enduring legacy and the timeless truth of his words: "By our fruits they shall know us."
Epilogue: A Remnant of Grace and Truth
As Father Jaeger reflected on their dialogue, a sense of reverence filled the room. The final episode of Archbishop Marcel’s hard work had come to fruition. Both Priests captured by that moment they experienced together at the Vatican Square, the moment of redemption as the excommunications were lifted against Archbishop Marcel and his entire religious order.
"And so, at the present time, there is a remnant left selected out of grace and truth," Father Jaeger murmured, his heart filled with hope for the future of the Church.