Brother Ivan opening his Christmas present. Some have asked for a progress report on the San Francisco Oratory. We are now four members of the community—two priests and two brothers. Gabriel Crawford joined us last month from Pittsburgh, PA, where he had been active in the Oratory Community in that city. We pray together twice a day: in the morning we pray from 6:15 to 7am in the little rectory chapel, including the liturgy of the hours and prayers to St. Philip. In the evening we pray in the church from 5 to 5:30pm with eight to ten people who join us for vespers from the breviary (all are welcome). We have dinner every night together, at which one of the brothers reads from the life of St. Philip and another spiritual book during our meal. We take thirty minutes of “recreation” together in our community room after dinner. Once a week we do some cultural event together, such as a museum or concert, and once a month we have a “chapter” meeting to discuss house business. We all attend personal spiritual direction and try to take one day of solitude a month at a monastery or other place of silence. Other priests join us from time to time, either for a day or several days, or simply for prayers and dinner. We will be starting the “Brothers of the Little Oratory,” a men’s’ group that meets weekly for prayer, discussion, and fellowship, on April 15 at 7pm in the rectory. Please see our website or call the office for more information.
The heart of the Oratory is fraternal charity, after the example and through the intercession of St. Philip. We hope to persevere in our aspiration to build this community of priests and brothers at Star of the Sea, bound by the mighty bond of charity.
The heart of the Oratory is fraternal charity, after the example and through the intercession of St. Philip. We hope to persevere in our aspiration to build this community of priests and brothers at Star of the Sea, bound by the mighty bond of charity.
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