Our Parish
About St. Stephen’s
Since 1997, the Latin Mass community in Sacramento has been served by the priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP).
Fr. John Berg, FSSP, is the founding rector of St. Stephen the First Martyr Parish (in 2002). Our current pastor is Fr. Joshua Curtis, FSSP.
St. Stephen the First Martyr Parish has the approval and blessing of Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.
All Masses and Sacraments are celebrated in the Traditional Latin Rite in accordance with the books of 1962, as encouraged in the 1988 Motu Proprio Ecclesia Dei Adflicta of Pope John Paul II. Bishop Emeritus William Weigand has stated: “The traditional Latin Mass community of St. Stephen the First Martyr is a blessing for the Diocese of Sacramento.”
Liturgical Life
We offer a full parochial observance of the Sacred Liturgy, including three Masses on weekdays and Saturday and six Masses on Sundays, as well as Catholic devotions, including Exposition & Benediction and the Fatima Procession on the 13th of every month from May to October.
Liturgical music is a priority. Gregorian chant, polyphony, and hymnody are led by our parishoner-comprised Schola Cantorum, adult choir, and choristers. We are particularly proud to maintain the ancient Catholic chorister tradition. Find out more about the St. Stephen’s Choir and Choristers.
Parish Life
Our priests currently teach various classes (Adult Catechism, Confirmation classes, children’s Catechism, Patristics, and others) for the community. We hold many educational homeschooling events, such as our Arts and Science Project Fair, and Speech Contest. St. Stephen’s also offers a healthy array of group and social activities, including:
- Altar Guild(boys)
- Little Flowers (girls)
- Rosa Mystica (girls)
- Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary (girls)
- Veritas Young Adult Group
- Choir & Music Classes
- Chesterton Society
- Knights of Columbus, Council #16419
We also host special events such as Summer Camp for Boys, barbeques, square dances, and the annual Christmas Pageant.
Our Priests
The needs of more than 1400 active parishioners are currently being met by three full-time priests in residence who belong to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), an international society of Pontifical Rite with the charism to pursue holiness by means of the Traditional Liturgy and all things which flow from this: doctrine, discipline, and discipleship.
Fr. Joshua Curtis, FSSP, Pastor
5461 44th Street
