The Cost of Fidelity: Can Sedevacantists Receive Sacraments from the SSPX?

Hold the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me: in faith and in the love which is in Christ Jesus. - 2 Tim. 1:13

SSPX Priests (even if with valid Orders - sadly there are some with invalid Orders from the Modernist Ordinal) profess union with a false pope and Conciliar Church. What must a Sedevacantist do who cannot access the Sacraments from Sedevacantist Priests?  

 Preamble

A question was left as a comment on Facebook on my live streamed sermon for the octave of Sacred Heart. It went thus: 

Greetings from the Philippines! I'm Sedevacantist too I have a question: Is it okay for a Sedevacantist like me to go to SSPX for Sacraments? If not, what's the rationale and reason? I seriously need Sacraments.

 I gave a brief reply which is expanded here in a catechetical format. I hope it proves useful to souls in similar situations, and many they must be in these times! 

The Q&A  Catechism

Q: Can a Sedevacantist Catholic receive the Sacraments from an SSPX priest?

A:

No—not without grave danger to the Faith.

The Society of St. Pius X offers valid sacraments, but they are offered in visible union with a false pope and a counterfeit church. This creates a contradiction that no faithful Catholic can ignore.

Q: But the SSPX says the Mass. Isn’t that enough?

A:

The Sacrifice of the Mass is not just a rite, but a profession of Faith.

The Faith is expressed in the law of prayer.” — Lex orandi, lex credendi

In the Canon of the Mass, the priest says:

“Una cum famulo tuo Papa nostro …”

(In union with Thy servant, our Pope …)

This phrase unites the offering of the Mass with a public heretic, destroyer of Tradition, and head of the Conciliar Church—which Sedevacantists recognize as not the Catholic Church

 Q: Doesn’t the Church teach that sacraments can be received from heretics in emergency?

A:

Yes, but only in extreme necessity, and without danger of scandal or compromise.

“It is not permitted to receive sacraments from heretics or schismatics, unless in danger of death and no Catholic priest is available.” — Moral Theology manuals (e.g., Merkelbach, Prümmer)

The SSPX claims a Modernist Papal Impostor is the Pope and accepts jurisdiction from him in marriage and confessions. Regular reception of their sacraments scandalizes souls, undermines clarity, and confuses the faithful.

Q: But I need Confession! I’m spiritually starving.

A:

Yes—and God knows this. He does not demand the impossible. When no valid and sound clergy are available, the Church supplies:

1. Perfect Contrition:

“If anyone repent of sin out of love for God… he receives forgiveness before absolution.” — Catechism of Trent

2. Spiritual Communion:

“Ask Jesus to come spiritually into your heart, and He will come with the same graces as if you received Him sacramentally.” — St. Leonard of Port Maurice

3. Desire for Confession:

If a man is prevented from receiving the sacraments, his desire and intention are accepted by God.” — St. Alphonsus Liguori

4. Hope: God will not abandon the soul who remains faithful to the true Faith, even if that means suffering sacramental deprivation for a time.

Q: Isn’t this too rigid? Didn’t early Catholics go to Mass with heretical clergy?

A:

No. The early Church taught the exact opposite.

• “What unity hath light with darkness? Or Christ with Belial?” — 2 Cor. 6:14
• “One cannot pray with those who are in communion with heresy.” — St. Athanasius

The Church has always forbidden worship with heretics or schismatics.

 “If anyone shall pray with heretics, let him be excommunicated.” — Council of Laodicea, Canon 33

Q: But the priests are valid! Isn’t that what matters most?

A:

No. Validity is not enough. A valid sacrament outside the unity of the true Church is a wound, not a healing.

 “To receive the Sacraments from one outside the unity of the Church is to eat the bread of God with the devil’s hand.” — St. Cyprian of Carthage

The Sacraments are expressions of unity in doctrine and worship. Receiving sacraments from priests who invoke the name of a false pope is to enter into liturgical communion with his heresies, no matter what one's personal intentions are.

Q: What’s the real issue with the SSPX?

A:

The SSPX professes:

• Communion with a false pope (Francis)
• Jurisdiction from a false church (Conciliar, ecumenical, synodal, Pan-Religious Rome)
• A doctrinal contradiction: condemning Vatican II but accepting its leaders
• The una cum Mass offered “with and for” the Conciliar hierarchy

This creates a false appearance of Catholicity, leading to:

• Scandal
• Confusion
• A loss of integrity of Faith.

Q: So what should I do if I have no clergy near me who reject the una cum Mass?

A:

This is the cross of the present time. But Christ is closest to His faithful in such trials.

Here is a spiritual path:

1. Sanctify your soul daily with prayer, spiritual reading, and the Divine Office.

2. Make spiritual Communions and acts of perfect contrition frequently.

3.  Offer the pain of sacramental exile in reparation for the sins against the Church.

4. Pray for the triumph of the Church and the return of a true Pope.

5. Educate others gently with charity and firmness.

Though all the world go astray, hold fast to the narrow path.” — St. John Fisher

“He who keeps the Faith will never be alone.” — St. Athanasius

Q: In short, what is the cost of staying faithful?

A:

The cost is high. But compromise costs more.

 

“There is no such thing as half-truths in religion. One either believes as the Church believes—or he does not.” — Fr. Frederick Faber

Christ shed His Precious Blood to purchase the truth.

Shall we spill our own blood, if needed, to keep it?

Summing Up: Final Encouragement

You are not alone. The Mystical Body suffers with you. The Blessed Virgin walks beside you in this exile. The saints cheer you on.

 “Stand fast in the traditions which you have received.” — 2 Thess. 2:15

“The faith shall not fail, though the Church be eclipsed.” — Our Lady of La Salette

Hold fast. God will provide.