Father Martin Kromann Knudsen, FssP
Father Martin Kromann Knudsen (1975, Denmark) is a priest of the
Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FssP) and the pastor of the Parish of
St Joseph at the Sint Agneskerk in Amsterdam. Since 2007 he has directed
this apostolate, which under his care has grown into a flourishing and
steadily expanding community of faithful centred on the traditional Latin
liturgy.
Youth and conversion
Born and raised in an Evangelical-Lutheran family, he initially understood
Christianity mostly as culture. At a young age he discovered theological
writings of his grandfather which convinced him of the truth of the
Catholic and Apostolic Church. In 1994, at nineteen years of age, he entered
the Church.
Vocation and formation
Early on, the desire to become a priest grew within him. In 1999 he entered
the FssP seminary in Wigratzbad (southern Germany). There he learned the
spirit of obedience, discipline, and the richness of the Church’s liturgical
life. The Tridentine Mass became for him the perfect expression of the
Catholic faith. In 2006 he was ordained a priest.
Apostolate in the Netherlands
In September 2006 he was sent to the Netherlands by his superiors. From
2007 onwards he settled permanently in Amsterdam, where Bishop Punt appointed
him administrator of the Sint Agneskerk. In 2012 the parish was formally
recognised as the personal Parish of St Joseph for the traditional Roman
rite. What began with a small group of faithful in a dilapidated church has
grown into a vibrant community with multiple Sunday Masses, a family
apostolate and many converts.
Pastoral vision
Father Knudsen emphasises that the Church is above all the place where the
Sacrifice of Christ is made present. For him, the traditional Roman rite is
not a matter of nostalgia but a living source that forms the faithful in
humility and service. He regards families, young people and converts as a
special part of his pastoral care.
When one speaks of spiritual combat: this battle has already been won by
the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross of Calvary. We live, through grace,
already in the Kingdom of God.
Our life on earth is, as it were, an echo of the cosmic struggle between
the evil spirits — the demons, who rebelled against God — and the good
spirits, the angels and saints, who fight for our souls.
Our Christian struggle is to take our place behind the victorious Christ.
Contact
Pastor: Father Martin Kromann Knudsen, FssP
E-mail: p.m.k.k.fssp@gmail.com
Address: Amstelveenseweg 161–163, 1075 XA Amsterdam
Telephone: 020 662 9470
(For pastoral matters you may contact Father Knudsen directly.)