“A quagmire,” Cardinal DiNardo quipped. That’s how the groundbreaking site of Regina Caeli Catholic Church looked one rainy day. But from that muddy beginning, a unique parish arose. Regina Caeli is not just another church. It is the first in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in over 40 years devoted to the Traditional Latin Rites.
Imagine Houston in 2011. Fr. Charles Van Vliet arrived. He started an apostolate out of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish with Fr. Paul Lockey’s permission. This was the seed that would grow into Regina Caeli. By August 15, 2013, the Feast of the Assumption, Regina Caeli was formally established as a parish. It is named for the Queen of Heaven. The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter known as FSSP runs the church. Pope St. John Paul II formed this society in 1988. Cardinal DiNardo invited the FSSP to serve Catholics in the Archdiocese. These Catholics were devoted to sacraments celebrated according to the Latin liturgical books of 1962.
The groundbreaking ceremony occurred on December 20, 2014. Over 200 people joined Cardinal DiNardo and Fr. Charles Van Vliet. They celebrated the start of construction. The location was a 40-acre rural site near Fairbanks North Houston Road. Betty Lee White donated the land. The first building was St. Athanasius Chapel/Hall. It would seat 350 people. It would serve as the main church temporarily. Later, it would become a parish hall. This would happen when enough funds were raised to complete the rest of the campus.
Even heavy rain could not dampen spirits. Cardinal DiNardo joked about the “parting of the Jordan”. He then led the blessing. He called on God to protect the grounds from “devilish infection”. He noted that St. Athanasius was a great Doctor of the Church. This doctor’s defense of the Nicene Creed led to his exile from Alexandria six times.
Regina Caeli’s community showed amazing support. They launched the In Omnibus Amare et Servire Domino campaign. This means “In Everything, Love and Serve the Lord.” The aim was to raise funds to build their Traditional Latin Rite Parish. They exceeded their goal. They raised over 18 times their annual offertory. Stephen J. Boss, Community Gifts Co-Chair, stated the number of funds raised from their very small number of registered parishioners was truly amazing.
Regina Caeli stands as a testament to faith and tradition. It embodies the love and service to the Lord. It started from a muddy field and grew into a thriving parish. It offers a unique worship experience in Houston. It reminds us of the enduring power of faith.