APOSTOLATE The work of an apostle, not only of the first followers of Christ but of all the faithful who carry on the original mission entrusted by the Savior to the twelve to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The apostolate belongs essentially to the order of grace. Its purpose is not temporal welfare, however noble, but to bring people to the knowledge and love of Christ and, through obedience to his teaching, help them attain life everlasting.
Fr. John Hardon SJ “Modern Catholic Dictionary”
The Titular Archbishop of Selsey, ✠Jerome’s particular apostolate is to serve the Catholic Church by maintaining, preserving and continuing the Apostolic Faith i.e. “that which has been believed, always, everywhere and by all” (ubique, semper, et ab omnibus)[1]. He is the Old Roman regional episcopal administrator for Europe, Africa and Asia, coordinating and overseeing the apostolates in those territories where missions, cells and oratories have been formed, bringing together Catholics confused by the liturgical and doctrinal changes in the Church of the 20C.
Working together with the territorial episcopal administrators in various countries, ✠Jerome oversees the sacramental administration, liturgical functioning, doctrine, mission and governance of the Old Roman apostolates. This includes overseeing the discernment and formation of vocations to the Sacred Ministry as well as the spiritual direction, education and guidance of the faithful, and outreach ministries proclaiming the Gospel.
The oratories, missions and cells of the Old Roman apostolates are places of refuge and sanctuary for orthodox Catholics where traditional teaching, devotions and fellowship encourage the faithful in deepening their love for Jesus Christ and their pursuit of personal holiness. His Grace travels extensively to facilitate and encourage the clergy and lay faithful who give themselves voluntarily to the Old Roman apostolate’s mission to perpetuate the traditional Catholic faith, devotional way of life and the sacraments. His pastoral visitations to Confirm the faithful and to ordain clerics are important celebrations, not just for the individuals concerned but for the communities they were nurtured in and will serve.
To facilitate the international Old Roman apostolate, ✠Jerome broadcasts the Traditional Latin Mass and other devotional programmes via social media and the YouTube channel, Old Roman TV, where he gives regular conferences on the spiritual and missional life, and hosts panel and interview programmes with other Old Roman and traditional Catholic clerics. He was one of the first to broadcast globally via the internet the Traditional Latin Mass, beginning that ministry on the feast of the Assumption 2008, long before the Covid19 pandemic inspired others to do the same!
✠Jerome is also currently Servant Superior of the Congregatio Divinae Caritatis[2], an umbrella organisation that exists to regulate, facilitate and promote traditional Catholic religious life. The CDC acts as a centre of focus, administration and governance that the clergy and faithful may have confidence in the discernment and governance of religious life and those societies of apostolic life which they may desire to join or form for the furtherance of the Faith, their personal sanctification and acts of collective piety, and in which to engage in common charitable works and collective acts of corporal mercy.
For the clergy and territories overseen by His Grace visit The Old Roman Directory
Organisation of the Old Roman apostolate
The Old Roman apostolate is organised globally into regions and territories with episcopal administrators who oversee the work and life of the clergy, missions, cells and oratories of the faithful. It is a completely voluntary endeavour, the faithful and clergy give of their time, talents, skills, abilities and monies as they feel inspired to, and as may be necessary for the fulfilment of the mission.
A Cell: two or three individuals living in close proximity to each other, who meet together on a regular basis to pray and enjoy fellowship. Cells are foundation stones of the Old Roman apostolate and the kernel of the missions.
A Mission: several Cells and individuals, motivated by prayer and fellowship, desiring to live out their Christian mission as orthodox Catholics, who form together a definite apostolate for mission and outreach in their locality. Visited regularly by, or served, and directed by a traditional Catholic priest, the Mission may be the basis for the foundation of an Oratory.
An Oratory: when a significant number of Old Roman Cells and individuals have formed together a mission, and desire a regular sacramental life sustained by the sacraments administered according to the traditional rites and liturgies of the Church, and are able to sustain sacrificially the subsistence of a priest, and provide what is necessary for the worthy and proper offering of the liturgies, and a place of regular public worship.
A Territory: a country wherein an Old Roman apostolate is present and functioning with cells, missions and oratories served by clergy, and requiring, and able to support the ministry of an episcopal administrator to oversee the apostolate.
A Region: generally the designation of a continent(/s) or significant geographical area encapsulating several territories and Old Roman apostolates, overseen by a senior episcopal administrator in collaboration with the territorial episcopal administrators.
Footnotes
[1] “Moreover, in the Catholic Church itself, all possible care must be taken, that we hold that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, by all.” Vincent of Lérins (1894). “The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins” . In Schaff, Philip; Wace, Henry (eds.). A select library of the Nicene and post-Nicene fathers of the Christian Church. 2. Vol. 11. Translated by Heurtley, Charles A. (American ed.). Buffalo: Christian Literature
[2] Congregatio Divinae Caritatis – Congregation of the Divine Charity
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