The following is the text of the covering letter for the September Programme sent by the Secretary and Rector to the Brothers:
The state visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Great Britain guarantees that this month will be exceptionally busy for the Little Oratory. Whilst the most significant will be the beatification of the Venerable John Henry Newman, a number of events will take place in conjunction with the Holy Father's visit. Many of you will be aware that the Victoria and Albert Museum will be hosting an exhibition of the Raphael tapestries which are on loan from the Vatican. On Friday 17th September, a concert of sacred music will be performed by the choir at 7.00p.m, for which six Brothers will be needed to act as Ushers, robed. Any Brother who is willing and able to assist should contact the Secretary using the details below. God Willing, His Holiness will beatify John Henry Newman, adding another Oratorian to the beati in a ceremony on Sunday 19th September. In thanksgiving for this highly important act, a High Mass will be offered in the Oratory Church on Wednesday 22nd September at 6.30p.m, followed by the blessing of a new altar by our Archbishop, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols.
The formal exercises will re-commence with the Congregation of Elections on Sunday 26th September in the Little Oratory after Vespers.
Next month, the Oratory's annual series of the October Organ Recitals on Monday evenings at 7.30p.m. will re-commence. For the last two years, a number of the Brothers have acted as Ushers. We have been asked again to provide Ushers for this year's series. If any of you are willing and able to assist, then please contact the Secretary by email or via written correspondence to Oratory House.
As is especially evident from this letter and this month's programme, the Brothers have a great deal of work to do. Whilst we understand that a number of Brothers are unfortunately only able to come to the Oratory and help on a limited basis, we would like them to remember that they can still offer inestimable assistance through their prayers, for which we are very grateful. All the Brothers are exhorted to pray very much for the Holy Father's visit, and for further vocations to the Oratory Community in London, and to the Brothers of the Little Oratory. We look forward to seeing of many of you as possible on Friday 5th November for the Annual Mass of Requiem for departed Brothers at 7.15p.m, followed by the annual dinner.
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in London
A blog for those who make up the Little Oratory in London. This blog serves the purpose of notifying Brothers of upcoming events at the Oratory.
The Little Oratory is a group of men with the status of a confraternity. The first Little Oratory was formed by St. Philip Neri, and was made up of young men who went to Confession to him at the church of San Girolamo in Rome. They would meet in his room there for prayer and recreation, and for daily Mass and Confession. They visited the hospitals daily, and took the Discipline several times a week. They also made the pilgrimage of the Seven Churches together, especially at Carnival time, and their devout and recollected demeanour converted many.
The Brothers of the Little Oratory in London meet every Sunday at 4.30pm in the Little Oratory, for Spiritual Exercises and then tea in St Wilfrid's Hall.
"Look down from Heaven, Holy Father, from the loftiness of that mountain to the lowliness of this valley; from that harbour of quietness and tranquillity to this calamitous sea. And now that the darkness of this world hinders no more those benignant eyes of thine from looking clearly into all things, look down and visit, O most diligent keeper, that vineyard which thy right hand planted with so much labour, anxiety and peril. To thee, then, we fly; from thee we seek for aid; to thee we give our whole selves unreservedly; thee we adopt for our patron and defender. Undertake the cause of our Salvation, protect thy clients; to thee we appeal as our leader: rule thine army fighting against the assaults of the devil; to thee, kindest of rulers, we give up the rudder of our lives; steer this little ship of thine, and, placed as thou art on high, keep us off all the rocks of evil desires, that with thee for our Pilot and our Guide, we may safely come to the port of eternal bliss. Amen."
The Little Oratory is a group of men with the status of a confraternity. The first Little Oratory was formed by St. Philip Neri, and was made up of young men who went to Confession to him at the church of San Girolamo in Rome. They would meet in his room there for prayer and recreation, and for daily Mass and Confession. They visited the hospitals daily, and took the Discipline several times a week. They also made the pilgrimage of the Seven Churches together, especially at Carnival time, and their devout and recollected demeanour converted many.
The Brothers of the Little Oratory in London meet every Sunday at 4.30pm in the Little Oratory, for Spiritual Exercises and then tea in St Wilfrid's Hall.
"Look down from Heaven, Holy Father, from the loftiness of that mountain to the lowliness of this valley; from that harbour of quietness and tranquillity to this calamitous sea. And now that the darkness of this world hinders no more those benignant eyes of thine from looking clearly into all things, look down and visit, O most diligent keeper, that vineyard which thy right hand planted with so much labour, anxiety and peril. To thee, then, we fly; from thee we seek for aid; to thee we give our whole selves unreservedly; thee we adopt for our patron and defender. Undertake the cause of our Salvation, protect thy clients; to thee we appeal as our leader: rule thine army fighting against the assaults of the devil; to thee, kindest of rulers, we give up the rudder of our lives; steer this little ship of thine, and, placed as thou art on high, keep us off all the rocks of evil desires, that with thee for our Pilot and our Guide, we may safely come to the port of eternal bliss. Amen."