An Oratory is a congregation of secular priests founded by St. Phillip Neri in Rome in 1575. The priests of the Oratory live a common life of prayer in a stable community whose primary ministry is usually serving young adults and an associated parish. You will also find Oratories whose primary ministry is to a campus ministry, chaplaincy, or school.

Our Oratory

The Philadelphia Oratory's primary public ministries are to the Parish of St. Francis Xavier and parish school, our Secular Oratory of young adults, and organizing retreats and days of recollection for diocesan priests.

Our private in-house ministry is supporting each other to grow in holiness in a spirit of "charity and cheerfulness," as exemplified by our founder, St. Philip Neri. Daily Mass, lectio divina, meditation, and private prayer form the backbone of our life. We share daily meals, during which an episode from the vita of St. Philip Neri is read aloud followed by readings from religious commentary. So as to grow in the "bonds of charity" we make ourselves ever ready to help each other in daily tasks that arise.

Men serious about discerning a vocation with our Oratory should contact our provost, Fr. Georges Thiers C.O. by sending an email to vocations@sfxoratory.org  or by sending a letter.

It is imperative that any vocational discernment proceed with gravity and under the supervision of a reliable and trustworthy spiritual director.

Becoming an Oratorian

The process of discerning a vocation to our Oratory commences with visiting and spending time with our community. After a sufficient number of visits whereupon the aspirant and the members of the Oratory have gotten to know each other, the aspirant may request entry for the "guestship" or postulancy, which is a three month period of prayer while living and working with the community.

At the close of the "guestship", the postulant may request entry into "first probation" or novitiate. If accepted, he will receive the habit and the title "brother" if he is not already an ordained priest or deacon.

If the new brother aspires to the priesthood, he will commence seminary studies and in-house formation in Oratorian spirituality and tradition.

At the close of the first year, a continuance into a two-year "second probation" may be requested.

At the close of his third year at the Oratory, the member will be aggregated into the community and will thereby be permitted to affix Cong. Orat. or simply C.O. after his name in official correspondence. He will also be admitted to general congregation meetings where he will have a passive vote.

After the sixth year-- and generally coinciding with ordination-- he will receive full voting rights at general congregation meetings.

Are all Oratorians required to become priests?

No, though most Oratorians are priests or in formation to the priesthood. Although the Oratorians are a society of apostolic life and not a religious order, there is a venerable tradition of Oratorians who choose to become permanent brothers or permanent deacons. In such a case, so as to include him in the daily mission of our Oratory, the permanent brother would be tasked with an essential responsibility or ministry which would be determined by mutual agreement and natural aptitude.

Can diocesan priests become Oratorians?

Priests from any diocese may join the Oratory, provided that they feel a strong connection to the charism and unique character of the community. A priest seeking to join the community must have the permission of his Ordinary.

May the intercession of St. Philip Neri, St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, and all the sainted Oratorians guide you in your discernment!