Accessing the Traditional Sacraments

We are often asked how to go about receiving the sacraments other than the Mass in their traditional forms. We have consulted with the Diocese of Arlington on these questions and have received the following guidance. Some of the traditional sacraments are simply unavailable through ordinary channels within the diocese. For others, there are specific steps that should be followed and conditions that must be met. Please see the breakdown for each sacrament below.

• On-site TLM parish: one of the three parishes in the Diocese of Arlington where the traditional Latin Mass is still celebrated in the parish church (the main church) after the local implementation of Traditionis custodes took effect in 2022. These are:

  • St. Rita of Cascia in Alexandria

  • St. John the Beloved in McLean

  • St. Anthony of Padua Mission in King George

• Off-site TLM parish: one of the five parishes in the Diocese of Arlington where the TLM was removed from the parish church to an off-site chapel or other location when TC was implemented in 2022. An off-site TLM location refers to one of these parish's designated Mass sites. These are:

  • Holy Trinity in Gainesville, removed to Renaissance Montessori School in Nokesville

  • St. Patrick in Fredericksburg, removed to the parish hall on the parish campus

  • St. John the Baptist in Front Royal, removed to Chelsea Academy in Front Royal on Sundays and major feasts and to the historic church (adoration chapel) on the parish campus on weekdays

  • Sacred Heart of Jesus in Winchester, removed to Sacred Heart Academy on the parish campus

  • St. John the Apostle in Leesburg, removed to the historic church across the street

1. Identify an Officiant: The officiant must be a priest must be from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) with whom you have a "longstanding relationship."

   • Priests from other traditional orders like the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP/ICRSS) or the Institute of the Good Shepherd (IBP) have not yet been requested; the FSSP is the currently established path.

2. Contact the Venue Parish: Reach out to the parish secretary at your desired venue parish, where you wish the baptism to occur. Clearly state to the secretary that you are requesting the Traditional Rite of Baptism.

   • You may definitely choose any of the on-site TLM parishes

   • You may also be able to choose one of the off-site TLM locations

3. Bishop's Approval: Once the venue pastor approves, the visiting FSSP priest must write to Bishop Burbidge to request formal permission, specifying the date and location, and attesting to his longstanding relationship with you / your family.

1. Identify an Officiant: The officiant must be a priest from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) with whom you have a "longstanding relationship."

   • Priests from other traditional orders like the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP/ICRSS) or the Institute of the Good Shepherd (IBP) have not yet been requested; the FSSP is the currently established path.

2. Contact the Venue Parish: Reach out to the parish secretary at your desired venue parish, where you wish the wedding to occur. Clearly state to the secretary that you are requesting the Traditional Rite of Matrimony. Weddings must take place at one of the on-site TLM parishes.

3. Territorial Pastor's Approval: If the venue parish is not your territorial parish, you must obtain permission from your territorial pastor as part of your marriage preparation.

4. Marriage Prep: The venue for marriage preparation is left to the couple’s discretion; it may be the venue parish, either party's habitual parish or territorial parish, or another parish altogether.

5. Bishop's Approval: Once your territorial pastor and the the venue pastor approve, the visiting FSSP priest must write to Bishop Burbidge to request his permission, specifying the date and location, and attesting to his longstanding relationship with you / your family.

Note 1: The Diocese of Arlington does not coordinate with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX); weddings celebrated under their auspices within the territory of the diocese are presumed invalid since Bishop Burbidge does not grant them permission to witness marriages in the territory under his jurisdiction.

Note 2: Those who find themselves unable to take advantage of the provision for traditional weddings witnessed by an FSSP priest should consult with the clergy of the Archdiocese of Washington, as the policies on this matter in place there may not align with Arlington.

Traditional Confession is not authorized by Bishop Burbidge to be formally scheduled or offered within the Diocese of Arlington.

Traditional Confirmations are not authorized by Bishop Burbidge within the Diocese of Arlington. If you seek Confirmation in the traditional rite elsewhere:

1. Identify an Officiant: Find a priest who regularly celebrates the TLM who is willing to administer the sacrament for you.

2. Bishop's Approval: You must obtain permission from Bishop Burbidge to receive the sacrament outside the diocese. Ask your habitual pastor to make this formal request to Bishop Burbidge on your behalf.

3. Coordinate with the Destination: Ensure you meet the requirements of the parish and diocese where the sacrament will actually take place.

The traditional form of Extreme Unction is not authorized by Bishop Burbidge within the diocese at this time.