3/6/24 - Fr. John Brancich, FSSP

Fr. John Brancich, FSSP is the pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained into the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in 2004.     In Today's Show Our son is getting married in August and the rehearsal dinner is on the Friday evening before the wedding day. We do not eat meat on Fridays, but in planning the meal, it sure would make it easier if we could offer meat to the guests… however, it is a Friday.  Could our priest give us a dispensation or a different penance so that we can eat meat that Friday, or is it better to forgo meat as we normally do on Fridays? Does Saint Stanislaus take up weekly collection, and if so, does the collection have a Diocesan obligation? If I wanted to wear an upside-down cross necklace, as long as I wear it as the Saint Peter's Cross and not anything paganistic/satanic, would that be okay? While SSPX priests have faculties from the Pope to hear confessions, do they also have the authority to lift automatic excommunications as well? For example, I don't understand how they can hear confessions, yet at the same time not be under the authority of the local Bishop. Any advice on finding a good spouse today, considering the hedonistic culture people have adopted and ideologies antagonistic to family and love? I understand pregnant & nursing women & people with chronic health conditions are exempt from Lenten obligations, but is that automatic or do we need to ask a priest for a dispensation? I have been really sick and put on a prescription medication for pancreatic enzymes but it is made from a pig's pancreas. Is this OK during Lent since I need it for health reasons? Do you think that it is sinful for sisters to not wear their habit? What about priests that do not wear a cassock? Could you offer any comment on the Divine Will (Louisa Piccarreta) Devotion? Although the label of Communism is rarely used today, I see godless atheism in places where I didn't see it ten years ago. So, it would appear that the errors of Russia are still alive and spreading chaos and division.  Shouldn't we still be serious about saying daily Rosaries for peace and in reparation for the sins against Mary's Immaculate Heart? Do you feel there's any danger for the cancellation of the TLM and FSSP? We have Vespers at my parish. In terms of obligation, it's not like Mass, but how important is it and what is the best way to learn to follow along? Do you have any general recommendations regarding Vespers?   Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!