We take up afresh in December our annual Advent Oratory, preparing – with the Oratorian Fathers and Brothers – for the Solemnity of Our Lord’s Nativity in the spirit of St Philip Neri. This year, our Advent Oratory takes on a somewhat different shape as two Tuesdays of the Advent season coincide with major feast days.
On Tuesday 1st December and Tuesday 22nd December, we will follow the usual pattern of previous years, starting at 5.30pm (or 5.20pm for the veneration of the relic of St Philip) for a reflection by one of the Fathers, silent prayer followed by vocal prayers and chants together, all in our Church of St Bernadette; this is followed by recreation afterwards in the hall (final blessing at about 6.30pm). This year, the reflections will be connected with St Francis of Assisi in this 800th anniversary year of his birth, allowing this great saint to lead us in meditating on the Christmas mystery.
Tuesday 8th December is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As well as the usual morning Masses on this day, there will be a Solemn Sung Mass at 5.30pm in honour of Mary, Conceived without sin.
Tuesday 15th December is the annual feast day of our Oratorian Blessed Anthony Grassi. In the evening at 5.30pm, there will be a fervorino (a reflection on the life of Blessed Anthony) followed by Benediction, according to our usual custom on the feasts of most of the Oratorian saints and Blesseds.
We pray that you may be able to join the Fathers and Brothers this Advent, united by St Philip in the spirit of his Oratory, by attending St Bernadette’s on the Tuesdays of this holy season, so that in the company of Our Lady and the saints of God, we may advance humbly and expectantly towards the joy of Christmas!