Oratorians differ from diocesan priests in that they live a community life together, learning from each other and, through this, developing an ability to live with people in harmony. Possibly it is precisely because of this that young men are eager to join the Oratory. Improved and expanded living quarters are needed to accommodate those who want to make their lives here and those who come from abroad to learn the Oratorian way of life. Without this, new members may need to be turned away.
There are now nine members of the Oxford Oratory community, ranging in age between 22 and 61, of whom eight are already priests.
Unfortunately there are only eight bedrooms in the house, so poor Fr Richard is having to squat in the cellar, among the mice. Can we find a way to remedy this situation?
And what do we do? The public are most aware of our Liturgical role, providing the Mass and Sacraments in different forms and with different musical approaches to suit all tastes. For this purpose new members are ordained: here is Brother Nicholas receiving the ministry of Acolyte a few years ago - but now he is a priest for ever.
But we also have many other pastoral roles, most of which we cannot show you in photographs. As well as caring for the parishioners of St Aloysius, the priests of the Oratory act as chaplains for Bullingdon Prison and for the Campsfield House Immigration Detention Centre; teachers, chaplains and governors at St Aloysius’ School and St Gregory’s School in Oxford, at the Oratory School, Reading and at St Philip’s School in London. We also supply in neighbouring parishes for priests who are ill or away.
Here are some of our Fathers in action.
