Archbishop Lefebvre’s first visit to Australia [Article reprint from 1973]

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Archbishop Lefebvre’s first visit to Australia

Pax Orbis | December 7, 2025

This is the first article in our series on the history of Tradition in Australia, and it covers Archbishop Lefebvre ‘s 1973 visit. His Grace made several trips to Australia prior to the arrival of the Society of Saint Pius X in August, 1982. This account comes from the traditional newspaper, ‘Catholic,’ and is reproduced here by kind permission.

[NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, photographs were kindly supplied by the Pravidur family. The dates of the photographs have not yet been established, and may represent a later visit. Please email Kathy at [email=pax@paxorbis,org]pax@paxorbis,org[/email] if you can identify churches or individuals shown in the photographs or can shed some light on the dates. ]

His Grace, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre first visited Australia in 1973. His visit at this tumultuous time in the Church was an inspiration to the Hero Priests who refused to adopt the novelties of the Second Vatican Council.

Recounted here is the World Trends report of Msgr Lefebvre’s visit to Melbourne. But first, a word about World Trends. The editor of this, before its time magazine, was French/Australian Yves Dupont. Mr Dupont had served in the French Foreign Legion and had been awarded the Croix de Guerre for his service. He was an extremely perceptive layman who began his publication circa 1964. He also began selling Catholic books under the name Tenet Books.

It is interesting to note that Mr Dupont’s book selling venture started at much the same time as did Tom Nelson’s TAN Books and Publishers in USA. Yves sold TAN books and even wrote one titled Catholic Prophecy. Prior to 1973 His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre was not well known in Australia.

It is true to say that Tradition also was rather fragmented. Many despondent priests were in a certain sense, “doing their own thing” in trying to maintain what they had been ordained to do.

From 1958 until the promulgation of the Novus Ordo Missae, the New Mass, to be adopted in November 1969, they had been subjected, as were the laity, to continual change. A small number of priests became more or less independent of the mainstream Church. It is those priests whom the Compiler of this History has chosen to describe as the Hero Priests.

Many had chosen to continue in the timeless practices of the Church and were serving small and scattered groups of like-minded laity. They had no Bishop to look to for leadership, other than to a limited extent, Bishop Stewart of Sandhurst.

Gradually the work of Archbishop Lefebvre became known and at last there was a small degree of unity. Msgr Lefebvre did not seek any kind of leadership of these individual priests; he was simply prepared to provide those functions that only a Bishop can provide.

The Latin Mass Society of Australia had invited Msgr Lefebvre to visit Australia. His visit happened to coincide with the Fortieth International Eucharistic Congress which took place in Melbourne in January/February 1973. World Trends described the Congress as “Spiritually, it was a dismal failure.” It featured a multitude of the then new Concelebrated Masses. It also featured a pagan ritual dance by Australian Aborigines.

Australia’s first Aboriginal liturgy, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, 24 February 1973. Photo from the Archives of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Fortunately at that time, Mr Ernie Dingo had not yet invented his Aboriginal “Smoking Ceremony”. That came later and had its first really public performance at the beatification by Pope John Paul II of Blessed Mary of the Cross at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney in 1986.

A ritual dance purported to express the Last Supper. Photo from the Archives of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Below is the verbatim World Trends report of the visit of Msgr Lefebvre’s visit to Melbourne in February 1973.

The Arrival of Archbishop Lefebvre in Australia

On Saturday the 17th of February, 1973, His Grace Archbishop Lefebvre arrived at Tullamarine International Airport by a Qantas flight from London. He was scheduled to arrive at 9.55 am., but due to various delays he eventually arrived at 11.25 am. Coincidentally, he had travelled from London in the company of His Eminence Cardinal Slimyi, the Exarch of the Ukrainian Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church. A good crowd of members, their families and friends had waited patiently for His Grace’s arrival.

After he was released from Customs, where, thanks to the kindness of a Customs Official, Mr Yves Dupont was admitted and was able to identify him, His Grace was immediately driven to the home of the General President, where he lunched with the Victorian Committee and Spiritual Director.

After a brief period of rest His Grace was ready to say his first Mass in this country. At 4 pm precisely he began a votive Mass of Our Lady for the members of the Committee.

Thus, his first Mass in Australia was rather a private one indeed, but none the less a very moving experience for the small congregation present. The atmosphere of this first Low Mass was one of intense awe and devotion, anyone present, hardly even being aware of the presence of anyone else.

Archbishop Lefebvre in Australia

After our first meeting with His Grace, it was quickly realised that he was a man of quite witty humour, with an unusually saintly expression on his face. His hand gestures during conversation were reminiscent of our late Archbishop Mannix. He was obviously quite at ease with his Australian hosts. Many were surprised by his remarkably good English.

His first Mass over, he was then taken to the Presbytery at Our Lady of Lourdes, Armadale, where he was received by his host for the week, the Reverend Father Opie, Parish Priest. We then left His Grace in the care of Fr. Opie and the Committee proceeded with preparations for the events of the following day.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Armadale, present day. IMAGE SOURCE

Sunday, 18th February, 1973

As Septuagesima Sunday dawned over Melbourne, it was already obvious that a hot day with infamous northerly winds was in store. After several of our Committee members started this day by attendance at a private Mass, celebrated by our Spiritual Director, we were ready for the greater celebrations to come.

The sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Armadale, was prepared in accordance with the requirements of a Solemn Pontifical High Mass at the Faldstool. The Celebrant was His Grace the archbishop, Fr. J. Opie P.P., Deacon, Fr. J. Stockdale, Sub-deacon, Fr. A. Cummins, CSSR, the Assistant Priest.

Archbishop Lefebvre in Australia

At 12 noon precisely, the procession of sacred ministers left the sacristy to enter the church by the east side door, whilst the choir sang “Ecce Sacerdos.” The choir paused whilst His Grace received the bowl and hissop in preparation for the Asperges ceremony, which was performed by His Grace as the procession made its way up the centre aisle.

The precious mitre, studded with jewels, the golden crozier held in the purple-gloved right hand of the Archbishop glittered in the
light of the nave of the church as the sacred ministers filed slowly towards the sanctuary, the Archbishop bringing up the rear.

After the usual genuflection, the Mass began with the prayers at the foot of the altar, with Psalm 42 recited in full. The sight of the Archbishop flanked at his left by Deacon and Sub-deacon, and on his right by the Assistant Priest and Master of Ceremonies, brought back many happy memories of the glorious days of liturgical security, which were characterised by regular celebrations of Pontifical Masses of this kind.

After the incensing of the altar, the Archbishop proceeded to the Faldstool to sit whilst the choir sang the Kyrie. And so the Mass continued, with the Sub-deacon chanting the Epistle and later the Deacon proclaiming the Gospel, whilst the Archbishop, crozier in hand, stood at the faldstool facing towards the lectern. Then followed the Credo, with an excellent performance by the choir.

After washing his hands at the faldstool, the Archbishop ascended the altar, and turning away from the congregation toward the Almighty, he proceeded with the first part of the Holy Sacrifice, the Offertory. The sight of the sub-deacon taking the humeral veil on his shoulders and than receiving the paten from the deacon, to retain it right through the Canon, was indicative of the complete intactness of the Tridentine High Mass.

The Sanctus bell brought the whole congregation to their knees. The Canon commenced whilst the choir continued the singing of the Sanctus. Intense silence prevailed after the warning bell, whilst the Archbishop pronounced silently the words of Consecration, in the form unchanged since the fourth century, to effect the complete change of the Host and Wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and so to complete yet another renewal of the Sacrifice of Calvary.

After this, the choir took up the singing of the Benedictus. As the Mass continued on through the Pater Noster and Agnus Dei, the Domine Non Sum Dignus bell brought the congregation to attention in preparation for Holy Communion.

The Archbishop distributed Holy Communion reciting the full, unchanged formula for the administration of the Sacrament. After Holy Communion, the Post-Communion prayer ended, and then the Archbishop gave the full Pontifical blessing.

After the reading of the Last Gospel, all genuflected and the procession left the sanctuary as the choir sang O Salutaris Hostia. As the Archbishop walked slowly down the aisle, people, seat by seat, knelt to receive his individual blessing.

After Mass members lunched in the parish hall in company with the members of the Bendigo choir. After the Archbishop had lunched in the Presbytery, and taken time to recover from the ordeal of the High Mass (because of the intense heat), he came to the hall to meet his new Australian friends. The afternoon drew to a close with Solemn Pontifical Benediction at 4.30 pm.

It was some time later before the loyal band of workers were able to make their way home from Armadale. After such a wonderfully holy and glorious day our members were justifiably elated, but nevertheless a little weary. As the sun went down, leaving Melbourne with a warm but pleasant twilight, the Committee proceeded with the organisation of the remainder of the programme.


Monday, 19th February

During the morning and afternoon His Grace kindly gave his time for private interviews with some of our members. On this day His Grace celebrated a Low Mass at 6.30 pm. at Our Lady of Lebanon, Carlton, a church of the Maronite rite. This Mass was a votive Mass of the Most Blessed Trinity.

The altar in this church is in the traditional Roman style and is a magnificent work of art. Above the throne over the Tabernacle stands a large statue of Our Lady, with a spherical base, symbolising Our Lady’s dominion over the world. Our members greatly appreciated the tranquillity of a Low Mass, enabling a true and real participation, that is, a spiritual one. Even the Leonine prayers for the conversion of Russia were recited in Latin, with the congregation ably responding to the Ave Maria and Salve Regina.

After Mass, the Archbishop and members were entertained in the Presbytery by the Parish Priest, the Rt. Rev. Mgr. El Koury. Our thanks to Msgr. El Koury and the Lebanese community for giving us their church for the Mass, and also their kind hospitality afterwards.


Tuesday, 20th February

After a quiet morning at Armadale, His Grace was taken to Mornington to visit Bishop Stewart of Sandhurst and Bishop Brennan of Toowoomba, who were on holiday. The Archbishop had long been wanting to meet the two most conservative members of the Australian hierarchy. A very cordial atmosphere prevailed during the afternoon, and a number of important issues affecting the Catholic Church were discussed by the three prelates.

After a pleasant cross-country drive through Frankston and Dandenong, Ferntree Gully was reached about 6 pm. The parish priest, Rev. Fr. C. J. Cummings, was well prepared to receive His Grace and proudly showed him around the spacious grounds of the church and school. On this day, Mass was at 7.30 pm. and it was a votive Mass of St. John the Baptist, in honour of the title saint of the Ferntree Gully parish.

After Mass, the ladies of the parish entertained members and other visitors over supper in the parish hall. Our thanks to Fr. Cummings and the ladies of the parish for making the evening a pleasant one indeed.

His Grace remarked that the setting of the church and also the township of Ferntree Gully, nestled at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges, reminded him of the Swiss Alps which tower above the Archbishop’s home in Fribourg.


Wednesday, 21st February

After a quiet morning at Armadale, His Grace left Melbourne by car in the early afternoon for his visit to the diocese of Sandhurst. After a pleasant and leisurely journey via the Mclvor Highway, Bendigo was reached about 5.30 pm., where the Vicar-general of the diocese, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. F.P. de Campo was awaiting the arrival of his distinguished guest.

At 7.30 pm. His Grace was celebrant of a Solemn Pontifical High Mass, which on this occasion was a Votive Mass of the Holy Ghost. It was a full Solemn Pontifical High Mass at the throne. His Lordship, Bishop Stewart, kindly gave His Grace the use of the throne for the Mass, enabling it to be celebrated in its fullest possible solemnity. This was a very generous gesture of Bishop Stewart, for he could not have bestowed a greater honour on his guest Archbishop.

After the Mass His Grace remarked to the President, that Bendigo would be the only diocese in the world where he could expect to be received with such gracious respect.

The archbishop was also greatly impressed with the liturgical exactness of the sacred ministers and the fervour of the congregation. His Grace further remarked that it was fifteen years since he had celebrated a Mass with such solemnity.

St. Kilian’s Church, Bendigo, present day SOURCE

This Mass was celebrated in St. Kilian’s Church in Bendigo city, as the cathedral was unfortunately not available, owing to its undergoing the final stages of completion.

Although the nave of the cathedral had been built and opened in 1900, it was more than half a century later before the work of completing the cathedral was commenced. The completion of the transepts, and sanctuary area will mark the achievement of one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture in the Southern hemisphere. It is believed that this Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo may well be the last work of Gothic architecture in the world to be completed. It is certainly a fine tribute to the age which inspired what can rightly be termed as a climax of man’s architectural ability.

St. Killian’s Church, where the Archbishop celebrated Mass, is in itself a historic and interesting building. Together with St. Laborius, Eaglehawk, St. Killian’s was first started during the gold-rush of 1851, and like most other features of Bendigo, was largely built by the gold-diggers.

St. Killian’s has the distinction of being the largest wooden church in Australia, surpassing even some of the larger wooden churches seen in Queensland. The exterior and interior are both maintained in a manner which is certainly a credit to the people of Bendigo.

The high altar, flanked by angel statues, is of carved wood with red curtains at the back of the egrediens. White painted and outlined in gold and jewelled patterns, it is magnificently resplendent under the electric light. The sanctuary of this, like other churches in the diocese of Sandhurst, has not undergone the desecration, nor has its altar undergone the desecration that so many churches have suffered in other dioceses.

The sanctuary is not impeded by a “Table Altar”, hence, no special preparations were required. It may be of interest to know that on the feasts of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost each year, there is a Latin High Mass in Bendigo.

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to His Lordship, Bishop Stewart, for making possible the visit to his diocese and also to Msgr. De Campo for his wonderful work in organising such a gratifying display of the traditional Catholic liturgy. The ladies of St. Killian’s receive our thanks for their kindness to us in the hall after Mass. The packed church indicated the interest of the people of the Sandhurst diocese, many of whom travelled a long way to attend the Mass.

Archbishop Lefebvre in Australia

For our own members travelling from Melbourne for the occasion, we were all re-vitalised by the refreshing liturgical atmosphere, which is so welcome after the stifling heat of liturgical chaos and degradation now so common in most dioceses of Australia.


Thursday, 22nd February

His Grace stayed overnight at Bethlehem Hospital in Bendigo. In the morning, the Vicar-general, Mgr. De Campo, played host to His Grace, taking him to see many points of interest around the city. Thanks to Mgr. De Campo, His Grace saw more of the city of Bendigo than he was able to see in the city of Melbourne, as our programme proved to be a full and demanding one.

Mass on this day was at 7.30 pm at St. Peter’s Church, Clayton. Being one of the newer churches of the Archdiocese, St. Peter’s is built in the contemporary style. Not surprisingly the sanctuary was not designed for the celebration of the Tridentine Mass.

The parish priest, Rev. Fr. Pickering, kindly agreed to the adaptation of the altar for this Mass. A carload of equipment was required, including a full size house door, which was used as the altar. Despite the improvising necessary, the Mass was celebrated with full dignity and reverence. The Rosary was recited by members after the Mass.

After the Mass, on the way home by car, His Grace remarked to the President, that he had to come all the way to Australia to be forced to say Mass, not on some undignified Communion Table, but in fact on a door. His Grace also remarked that little did he expect the President of a Una Voce Association to be the person responsible for his having to say Mass on a door! This is just another example of the keen wit, which was characteristic of His Grace during his stay in Australia.


Friday, 23rd February

This was a day of devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was the focal point of our campaign of reparation for the insults hurled on His Divine Majesty by the human race and, of late, by many of His own priests and bishops. His Grace celebrated a votive Mass of the Sacred Heart at 11.30 am. Following the Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament commenced at 12.30 pm.

Many people came a long way to Armadale for this occasion, and several were seen to remain before the Blessed Sacrament exposed all through the afternoon. At 5.30 pm. our Spiritual Director celebrated a votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament during the course of Exposition. The special solemnity of Mass in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed was reminiscent to many of the regular customs in St. Francis’ church in the city before the advent of liturgical upheaval.

At 7.30 pm our Spiritual Director commenced the Holy Hour of Reparation to the Sacred Heart. Father was careful to include the Acts of Reparation and Consecration as well as the Litany.

His Grace the Archbishop presided in the sanctuary during the Holy Hour. The sermon brought home to the congregation present the earnest need for the whole human race to lighten the burden of the Cross on the shoulders of Our Divine Lord. The Holy Hour concluded with Pontifical Benediction at 8.30 pm. The closing hymn, “Faith of our Fathers”, was sung by the whole congregation.

It was reminiscent of the strong feeling of faith which was once so commonly felt after parish missions. As one meditated over this Holy Hour, one could hardly help recalling that once, nearly every Melbourne parish honoured the Sacred Heart on First Fridays, by a regular Holy Hour.


Saturday, 24th February

This day was dedicated to devotion to Our Blessed Mother. His Grace the Archbishop celebrated Mass at 2.30 pm. Following the Mass our spiritual director conducted a full programme of Marian devotions. The devotions were interspersed with hymns to our Blessed Lady. The general form of Marian devotions was already fairly well known to our local members, having been a regular feature of First Saturdays in Melbourne over the last six months. It was hoped to have a Marian procession, but unfortunately, such was precluded by the confined space in the church and its immediate surroundings. A renewal of Baptismal promises and a Profession of Faith were part of the afternoon’s ceremonies. The day concluded with Pontifical Benediction.

During the evening, His Grace spent more time with individual members, listening intently to their many and varied problems and counselling wisely in return. He portrayed himself as a true spiritual shepherd over his flock of the faithful.


Sunday, 25th February

Sexagesima Sunday, the final of the Society’s programme, O Salutaris Hostia, Melbourne enjoyed a cool, pleasant morning for this wonderful climax to a week of prayer and devotion. His Grace the Archbishop celebrated Solemn Pontifical High Mass at 10.30 am. at Our Lady of Lourdes, Armadale. The deacon was Rev. Fr. Pickering P.P., sub-deacon Rev. Fr. Pulvermacher, O.F.M., the Assistant Priest Rev. Fr. D. Ross O.S.B., and Fr. E. Perez, O.S.B. was in the sanctuary. The Gregorian choir from Bendigo again favoured us by coming down to Melbourne to sing at the Mass.

After Mass members and friends partook of lunch in the parish hall. We were pleased again to be able to entertain the visiting choir members. After luncheon the Victorian Branch Chairman, Mr Tom Ward, called the hall to attention as His Grace the Archbishop entered the room. The National Executive of the Society, comprising of the General President, Mr. M. Foley, the Vice-president, Mr. K. McManus, and the assistant General Secretary, Mr. M, McDonall, presided ever the gathering. An apology for the unavoidable absence of the General Secretary, Mr. Carleton and the Treasurer, Miss L. Rossbotham was put forward. The President welcomed His Grace the Archbishop to the gathering and handed over to him to address the meeting. His Grace gave the following address:

“My Dear Brethren,

At the close of this week of prayer with you and especially in offering the Divine Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Our Lord on the Altar, I would like to give you a few words of encouragement as St. Paul to the Faithful of Caesarea and Miletus when he said; “Vigitate et memoria retinentes…” (Watch, therefore and remember the counsels which I have given you…) – So spoke St. Paul.

Here is now my advice to you, my dear Brethren.

First of all, keep the Faith without any compromise and pray daily to preserve the Faith, reciting the Rosary in the family or in a group.

Secondly, deepen your Faith by reading the Gospel and above all the Catechism of the Council of Trent, the Catechism of St. Pius X., the Catechism of Cardinal Gasparri or the Baltimore Catechism.

Thirdly, attend a Tridentine Mass and receive Holy Communion wherever possible. If not, attend a Mass in which the priest says the Consecration in Latin, or in one of the Oriental Catholic rites.

Finally, gather in groups around those priests who have remained good and faithful; and together, pray, organise the defence of the Faith and try especially to strengthen the faith of your children.

All this must be done with patience, with confidence in God and without bitterness. Our work is primarily to construct more than to fight. This was the way followed by all the true faithful during the persecutions. Let us remember the Catholics of Japan who suffered for many centuries.

Let us remember the Catholics of South America and the Catholics, including priests, behind the Iron Curtain. Another very important work is the training of true priests, priests strong in the interior life, the spiritual life, firm on doctrine, faithful in their teaching to the traditional magisterium of the Church and the traditional liturgy and sacraments. This is what I am endeavouring to achieve in Switzerland through the Society of St. Pius X in my Seminary of Econe, where I now have sixty-five Seminarians of eight different countries; and, please God, I will have, next October, two or three from your own beloved Australia.

The Foundation for Nuns is provided for in the statutes and, with the help of God, I hope to open this foundation next October and God alone knows, perhaps with one Australian postulant.

What is the future of this Society? Well, I think that the experience accrued in the long history of the Church shows that the most important thing for each one of us is to accomplish God’s will within the lifespan allotted to us.

As for the future, God alone knows. But the aim of the Society of St. Pius X is pastoral work, the work of the priest, assisted by brothers and nuns, following the only way of true sanctification, namely Jesus Christ Our Lord crucified upon the Cross. The Cross of Calvary and the Sacrifice of the Mass provides the only answer to the problems of our souls whatever they may be. Without Calvary, and without the Sacrifice of the Mass as the continuation of Calvary, there is no opening for the sanctification of priests, no substance for the religious life, no support for the Christian life in general. Without Calvary and the Mass there is no answer to human suffering, no justice possible, no peace possible.

That is the reason why we must preserve the true Sacrifice of the Mass, for the Mass is the corner-stone of the Church; indeed the very heart of the Church. Such is the spirituality of our Society, and I recommend to your prayers our Society of Priests, our Society of Nuns, and especially that we may have many Australian vocations.

I will take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the President of the “O Salutaris Hostia” Committee, to those who have assisted him and to the Bishops and Priests who have so kindly helped in making possible this week of prayer.

God bless you all by the intercession of His Holy Mother, Amen.”

The afternoon concluded with Solemn Pontifical Benediction by His Grace the Archbishop. Fr J Opie was the deacon and Fr Ross O.S.B. the sub-deacon. The Bendigo choir and congregation combined in singing the Latin Benediction. The closing hymn “O Sweet Sacrament Divine” was in line with the theme of the week’s program – devotion and reparation to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.Thus ended the last liturgical celebration of what had been and outstanding week for the Society. (The Latin Mass Society.)

At the kind invitation of local members, Mr and Mrs Ned Hardiman and family, His Grace the Archbishop and all members and friends made their way to the Hardimans home in Essendon, where there was a Farewell tea for His Grace. After being with us for over a week, His Grace was now due to leave us.

The short time at the Hardimans home was a very enjoyable one indeed, and as always, a very cordial atmosphere prevailed. After the meal was over His Grace the Archbishop left for Tullamarine Airport, where he was to leave by a T.A.A. flight at 7.40pm.

A large gathering of members were present to say farewell to His Grace, and, judging by the expression of joy on the faces of those present, every aspect of the week had been an outstanding success. Cameras flashed to His Grace, accompanied by the General President, and Assistant General Secretary, boarded the plane for Sydney.

Only one hour after leaving Melbourne His Grace the Archbishop landed at Mascot Airport in Sydney, where a rousing welcome from a number of Sydney members tock place.

After leaving the airport His Grace the Archbishop, in the company of the General Secretary, proceeded direct to St. Vincent’s Hospital, where he imparted the Pontifical Blessing on Michael Massey, son of Leo and Marcia Massey, who was seriously ill and was to undergo a major operation the following morning.

Thus, after a very full and eventful day, His Grace was able to proceed to Ashfield where he would spend the night.

On Monday morning the General President and General Secretary farwelled His Grace the Archbishop at Mascot, where he left for Parkes. He was on his way to visit his sister, a Carmelite nun, whom he had not seen for some 25 years. Thus one side effect of the wonderful help and consolation he had been to us, was to enable him to visit his own sister, whom time and distance had separated as each had pursued God’s vocation in life.


Conclusion

Without the help of many priests, this inspiring week of Traditional Masses and ceremonies would not have been possible. However, our special thanks go to Rev. Fr. Opie for accomodating His Grace so kindly during his stay with us in Melbourne.

The members of the Latin Mass Society who helped so much in so many different ways, whether by assistance in organisation or generous donations were repaid in full by the truly uplifting experience of meeting and knowing this courageous Archbishop. But his visit was only a beginning; surely the fruits will follow. Inspired by his example we must all work that much harder to expand our membership in every State.

We pray that, with the help of Almighty God, and the intercession of His Blessed Mother, we may all follow the lead of His Grace to be constructive, so that more and more clergy and laity will become aware of the stealthy heresy which is overcoming the Church, and that the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church will once again emerge in all its reverence, true to its doctrines and as immovable as the rock on which it was founded.

So ends the account of the first major support from the Society of Saint Pius X to Tradition in Australia. It can be noted here that soon after the visit, Mr Gerard Hogan went to Switzerland to study for the priesthood, and Miss Janine Ward went to Europe to join the Sisters of the SSPX. At the time, Msgr Lefebvre had compiled the Statutes for the Sisters, but they had not yet been formed.

Soon there was a foundation, the first Superior was Mother Mary Gabriel, a natural sister of Msgr Lefebvre. Janine Ward from Melbourne was the first nun to join the Sisters of the SSPX directly, without coming from another Order. She took the name Sister Mary Michael.

‘Catholic’ was a traditional newspaper printed in country Victoria, Australia from 1982 to 2000. Its founders were Don McClean and his late wife, Andrina. Among its contributors was the famous defender of tradition, Michael Davies.