About Holy Cross Chaplaincy -FSSP (Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter) · Fresno, California
Holy Cross Chaplaincy is a Roman Catholic chaplaincy in Fresno, California, under the care of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) and operating in the Diocese of Fresno. Established in 2017 at the invitation of Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa, the chaplaincy is dedicated exclusively to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass (the Usus Antiquior, or Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) according to the 1962 Missal. The community worships within the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel at St. Anthony of Padua Church in north Fresno and is scheduled to relocate to St. Genevieve Catholic Church in 2026. It is served by Fr. José Zepeda, FSSP, as chaplain, and is one of four FSSP apostolates in California.
- Established
- 2017
- Patron
- Holy Cross
- Rector
- Fr. José Zepeda, FSSP
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fresno
Why belong here
Holy Cross Chaplaincy offers Catholics in Fresno and California's Central Valley a faithful community devoted entirely to the Traditional Latin Mass and the older Roman liturgical rites celebrated with the 1962 Missal. Parishioners receive pastoral care rooted in longstanding customs — including Holy Communion received kneeling and on the tongue, Gregorian chant and polyphony sung by the Saint Blaise Schola Cantorum, and a robust devotional life of blessings, scapular enrollments, and Holy Hours. It is a welcoming home for families, traditional Catholics, and anyone seeking a deeper connection to the Church's perennial heritage, with ample parking and a clear sense of reverence in worship.
Mass times at Holy Cross Chaplaincy -FSSP (Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before each Mass (weekdays and Saturday)
- 45 minutes before Mass on Sundays
Adoration times
- Holy Hour: First Friday of the month, after the 6:00 p.m. Mass
About Holy Cross Chaplaincy
Holy Cross Chaplaincy is a Roman Catholic chaplaincy in Fresno, California, under the care of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) and the Diocese of Fresno. It was established in 2017 at the invitation of Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa for the celebration of the Traditional Latin Liturgy — the Mass, the sacraments, and various rites of blessing — according to the 1962 Roman Missal. Catholics in the community receive pastoral care rooted in longstanding customs and engage deeply with the Church's perennial teachings, finding spiritual nourishment and a strong sense of connection to the rich heritage of the Catholic faith.
- Type: FSSP chaplaincy for the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form)
- Diocese: Diocese of Fresno
- Founded: September 2017
- Chaplain: Fr. José Zepeda, FSSP
History & Founding
Holy Cross Chaplaincy was established in September 2017 at the invitation of Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa, becoming the fourth FSSP apostolate in California and forming a 'golden' line along Interstate 5 from Sacramento to San Diego. From the beginning, the chaplaincy was housed in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel section of St. Anthony of Padua Church at 5770 N. Maroa Avenue in north Fresno. In January 2018, the FSSP's North American District Superior, Fr. Gerard Saguto, celebrated a Solemn High Mass at the chaplaincy, marking an early milestone. The community has since grown as a regional hub, drawing the faithful from across the Central Valley to attend Mass, have sacramentals blessed, and enroll in traditional devotions.
- 2017: Chaplaincy established at St. Anthony of Padua Church under Bishop Ochoa's invitation
- January 14, 2018: Solemn High Mass celebrated by FSSP District Superior Fr. Gerard Saguto
- 2026: Sunday Mass schedule relocating to St. Genevieve Catholic Church
Clergy & Chaplain
Holy Cross Chaplaincy is served by Fr. José Zepeda, FSSP, who has been chaplain since the community's founding in 2017. Father Zepeda is a member of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, a clerical society of apostolic life dedicated to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Liturgy. He is known for his faithful preaching, his availability in the confessional, and his promotion of traditional devotions such as the Brown Scapular, the Miraculous Medal, and the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Fr. José Zepeda, FSSP — Chaplain (2017–present)
Music & Liturgy
Sacred music at Holy Cross Chaplaincy is provided by the Saint Blaise Schola Cantorum, which sings Gregorian chant and polyphony during Mass. Volunteers are welcome to join the schola. The liturgy itself follows the 1962 Roman Missal in full, with Holy Communion received kneeling and on the tongue. A Latin-English missal is recommended to follow along, and copies are typically available in the rear of the church.
- Saint Blaise Schola Cantorum — chant and polyphony; volunteers welcome
- Latin-English missals available in the rear of the church
- Holy Communion: kneeling and on the tongue
Devotions & Sacramentals
Beyond the Mass, the chaplaincy cultivates a rich devotional life in the traditional Catholic spirit. Father Zepeda holds a bimonthly Blessing of Sacramentals on Saturdays after the morning Mass, drawing faithful from across the Central Valley — some traveling more than two hours — to have religious items blessed. He also enrolls the faithful in the Brown Scapular and the Miraculous Medal, and periodically offers classes on the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary to help the faithful enrich their spiritual lives.
- Bimonthly Blessing of Sacramentals (Saturdays after Mass)
- Enrollment in the Brown Scapular
- Enrollment in the Miraculous Medal
- Class on the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Ministries & Parish Life
The chaplaincy is served by a community of dedicated lay faithful who assist in the sacred liturgy and in parish life. Boys serve as altar servers in the Traditional Latin Mass, taking an active role in responding to the priest's prayers — a ministry that has historically nurtured priestly vocations. A modest dress code is observed in keeping with the reverence of the traditional liturgy: no shorts, shoulders covered, no plunging necklines, and women commonly wear veils.
- Altar servers (boys)
- Saint Blaise Schola Cantorum (sacred music)
- Sacramentals blessing team
- Devotional study (Little Office of the BVM)
- Dress code observed (modest attire; veils customary for women)
Visit, Location & Practical Information
Holy Cross Chaplaincy is currently located in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel section of St. Anthony of Padua Church at 5770 N. Maroa Avenue in north Fresno. Ample parking is available in the church lot. The chaplaincy has announced a relocation of its Sunday Mass schedule to St. Genevieve Catholic Church beginning Sunday, May 3, 2026. Inquiries and pastoral requests may be directed to the chaplain by phone.
- Address: 5770 N. Maroa Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704
- Phone: (559) 374-5989
- Website: https://www.fsspfresno.org
- Parking: ample on-site
- Upcoming relocation: St. Genevieve Catholic Church (May 3, 2026)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. José Zepeda, FSSP2017–present
Founding chaplain of Holy Cross Chaplaincy; has led the community since its establishment in September 2017. Promotes devotion to the Brown Scapular, the Miraculous Medal, and the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.