VOCATIONS OFFICE THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE TODAY IS MISSION WORK! WE CARRY THE WORD OF GOD TO THE ENTIRE WORLD SO THAT ALL MAY HEAR THE GOOD NEWS AND ATTAIN PEACE, HAPPINESS, AND ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! The Archdiocese of the Southwest, founded as the Diocese of the Southwest in 1978, historically was comprised of the greater part of Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, and follows the traditional Christian Catholic faith as handed down by the Apostles, using the Anglican tradition. The summary of beliefs is found in the Apostles' and Nicene Creed, as well as in the Southwest Anglo-Catholic Catechism. It now serves as the Metropolitan See of the Traditional Old Anglo-Catholic Church. Activities | Devotions to Christ |  Marian Devotions Prayers | Metropolitan Chapter | Metropolitan Flag   The Metropolitan See is expanded to include the balance of southwestern North America and the whole of Central and South America inclusive of the island nations of the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans in Union with this Church and the Faith we Defend. However, the modern Archdiocese, in its role as Metropolitan See of the Traditional Old Anglo-Catholic Church, is no longer territorial in nature. However, we keep our historical name to honor the proud and distinguished history that is our duty to maintain, uphold, and perpetuate. Parishes and membership in the Metropolitan See and suffragan jurisdictions span many states and several nations. The Metropolitan See continually seeks unity with our bretheren in other Anglican jurisdictions, as well as Roman and Orthodox. Because of our present role as a mission-based Metropolitan See, we work worldwide and establish chapels wherever we go to spread the Word of God and the message of hope that is Jesus Christ. The Archdiocese uses traditional Anglican liturgy, specifically the Anglican Latin missal. The masses are very similar to the Tridentine Rite, except that they also use some Elizabethan English. The Anglican mass, as well as Evening Prayer, Morning Prayer, and other Divine Offices, are intended to involve all the senses in a unified act of worship with Almighty God, in unity with the Collective Body of the Church extending from the lifetime of Christ to the present. CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOKSTORE The bookstore has the Catechism, Daily Office, Rituale Breve (liturgical book for the laity), and books for the clergy. CLICK HERE FOR MISSION INFORMATION CLICK HERE FOR CONFIRMATION INFORMATION   Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions WHAT DOES THE CHURCH TEACH ABOUT...? The Southwest Catechism is a great source of information to answer that question. To purchase a copy of the entire catechism, please follow this link. This catechism, based on the venerable Baltimore Catechism, is a concise, yet detailed description of the entire doctrinal foundation of the traditional Christian faith, and focused on the Anglo-Catholic Rite. (In this publication, Anglican and Anglo-Catholic are used interchangeably, and generally also together.) Through careful and diligent study of this catechism, those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation may be made thoroughly ready, well-grounded in the Faith, and worthy to receive the sacrament. Furthermore, the faithful already confirmed may renew their knowledge of their faith through study of this catechism. Whether confirmed recently or long ago, study of the basic foundation of the Faith is an essential tool towards spiritual growth, a means of attaining grace, and an effort towards perfection and eternal salvation.     Frequently Asked Questions:   Q: Are you Catholic? A: Yes. We maintain traditional Catholic doctrine under the Anglican liturgical tradition with bishops consecrated in Anglican, Roman, and Orthodox Succession. Q: Are you Anglican? A: Yes. We follow Anglican tradition, which has existed since before the political break with Rome by Henry VIII. Q: Are you part of the ECUSA or the Roman Communion? A: No. Q: What liturgy do you use? A: The minimum standard is the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, with the Anglican Missal being the preferred standard for the mass. The Anglican Missal contains essentially the same liturgy as the Tridentine Mass, except it is in English. Q: What is the mass? Is it a memorial or a sacrifice? A: Catholic doctrine is clear on this point. While communion is in a sense a memorialization of the Last Supper, it is a true and living sacrifice offered during the mass at the hands of the priest, standing in persona Christi. The people join in this sacrifice by offering themselves to God. Q: Do you ordain women? A: We appoint women to traditional offices, including Deaconess. However, the Holy Orders of Deacon, Priest, and Bishop have always been, as a matter of doctrine, reserved to men. To change such a doctrine in a way that would be legitimate and universal requires the decision of an ecumenical council. Q: Can clergy marry? A: This is a matter of discipline, so a clergyman may marry, provided he and his intended are free to do so and have the permission of his religious superior. Q: What about divorce? A: Divorce is one of the biggest problems facing society today. A sacramental marriage cannot be dissolved, particularly by a secular authority. However, a marriage that has been ended by a civil authority can be annulled by a church tribunal. In such a case, the marriage is said sacramentally never to have existed in the first place. Once an annullment is in place, the persons are free to marry in the church again. Q: What are Holy Orders? A: Holy Orders are the indelible mark placed on the soul by the Holy Spirit that sets a man aside for special ministry. Holy Orders are comprised of Deacon, Priest, and Bishop. Q: What is the difference between a Deacon, Priest, and Bishop? A: A Deacon is a man in Holy Orders whose special function is to serve the bishop. He also has certain liturgical functions, such as reading the Gospel at the mass. Those entering Holy Orders must start as a Deacon. A priest has all the faculties of a Deacon, but can also hear confession, pronounce blessings and absolution, and, most importantly, celebrate the holy mass. A bishop has the fullness of Christ's priesthood. He has all the faculties of a Deacon and a Priest, and additionally has the authority to administer the sacraments of confirmation and ordination. Q: What are the types of Bishops and Archbishops? A: Bishops are usually in charge of a jurisdiction called a Diocese, which (usually) comprises a number of parishes, but may also be for a special purpose and not territorial. This type of Bishop is called a Bishop Ordinary, a Diocesan Bishop, or simply an Ordinary. In some jurisdictions, the Bishop is elected by the clergy. In others, the Bishop is selected and appointed by a higher authority over the Diocese. A Bishop Co-adjutor assists the Bishop Ordinary, and has the right of succession to the Diocesan Bishop position. A Suffragan Bishop or Auxiliary Bishop is an assistant to the Bishop Ordinary, but has no right of succession. All Bishops hold the fullness of Christ's priesthood and have been consecrated. These differences merely pertain to their role in the church. An Archbishop is the highest rank of Bishop, but it is not another level of Holy Orders. An Archbishop is most commonly in charge of an Archdiocese, but may simply hold the rank. A Metropolitan Archbishop is typically in charge of an Archdiocese and also has jurisdiction over other Dioceses. In some jurisdictions, the Archbishop is elected by the Bishops under his authority. In other cases, the Archbishop is appointed by a higher authority. As with Holy Orders, the rank of Archbishop cannot be claimed on one's own initiative; it must be granted. In some instances, these Archiepiscopal or Metropolitan jurisdictions may be for a special purpose, rather than territorial, and hold the Metropolitan authority for the purpose of ministering to those in their care. For example, this could include a military Archdiocese for military chaplains, as well as the Archdiocese of the Southwest as a mission-based personal prelature. Q: What about Canons, Archdeacons, and Deans? A: A Canon is a member of a Chapter (group of priests) of the Cathedral or Diocese/Archdiocese. It is a special honor bestowed on a priest (and rarely on a Deacon or layman) by his Bishop. The privileges, duties, and rights vary from Bishop to Bishop. A Dean is superior in rank to a Canon and heads up the Cathedral Parish, a Deanery (collection of parishes within a Diocese), or some other major Diocesan office. An Archdeacon is the chief assistant to the Bishop, and is usually a priest. There is usually only one Archdeacon in a Diocese at a time. Q: How do I become a priest? A: This requires study, discernment, and an examination of calling. Please visit our vocations page here. Q: Do you have religious (monk/brothers, nuns/sisters)? A: Yes. We have a religious order under our jurisdiction, the Oblates of St. Stephen. There are First Order Professed Oblates, who are professed religious in solemn vows who are also ordained as Deacons, Priests, or Bishops; Second Order Professed Oblates, who are men and women in solemn vows; Priestly Oblates and Canon Oblates, who are priests, but not in solemn vows; and Third Order Oblates, who are lay men and women not under solemn vows, yet living under a rule. Members may live in a community or not. Oblates of St. Stephen