Statutes

Statutes of the Congregation of the Oratory of the Holy Ghost

These Statutes express the mind of the Congregation of the Oratory of the Holy Ghost (commonly, the Oratorians of the Holy Ghost) as a community of secular priests and brothers living in common according to the spirit of St. Philip Neri, while remaining distinct from the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri. They are to be read in harmony with the 1917 Code of Canon Law and the pre-1955 liturgical books.

It continues the work begun under the Society of the Holy Ghost: preserving the Catholic Faith and spreading the Gospel.

I. Name, Nature, and Purpose

  1. Name. The community is known formally as the Congregation of the Oratory of the Holy Ghost (customary style: Oratorians of the Holy Ghost; hereafter, “the Oratory”).
  2. Nature. The Oratory is a clerical community of secular priests (and, where admitted, clerics or lay brothers) who live in common without vows, united by the bond of charity according to the spirit of St. Philip Neri.
  3. Purpose. In continuity with the Society of the Holy Ghost, the Oratory continues its work of preserving the Catholic Faith and spreading the Gospel by:
    • the worthy celebration of the sacred liturgy and the frequent administration of the sacraments;
    • preaching, catechesis, and spiritual conferences in the Oratorian manner;
    • fostering priestly fraternity and good order in ecclesiastical life;
    • works of mercy principally for the Oratory and its surrounding community; itinerant mission work is not our ordinary practice;
    • supporting priests in their vocation, and saving souls by first seeking our own sanctification.

II. Spiritual Patrimony

  • Spirit of St. Philip. The Oratory draws from St. Philip Neri’s tradition of joyful charity, freedom of spirit, love of the Church’s rites, and zealous care for souls.
  • Liturgy. Liturgical observance follows the pre-1955 Roman books.
  • Subsidiary Reference. Where these Statutes are silent or require clarification, and insofar as not in conflict with this text and applicable to our state as a distinct Oratory, the house follows the Constitutions of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri (promulgated 1943).
  • Ecclesial Position (sedevacantist). The Oratory publicly holds that the Apostolic See is presently vacant; we pray for the restoration of a true and publicly recognized Roman Pontiff and lawful hierarchy. Accordingly, we adhere to the perennial doctrine, the 1917 Code, and the pre-1955 Roman rites, refraining from naming a Pope in the Canon of the Mass until such time as one is manifest.

III. Government (Public Summary)

  • Bodies and roles. The Provost governs the house and ensures observance of the Statutes and horarium. The Congregation of Deputies assists in governance and gives consent for specified acts. The Chapter (perpetually admitted priests) elects the Provost and Deputies and confirms major changes to these Statutes.
  • Elections & terms. Offices are ordinarily for three-year renewable terms. Elections are by secret ballot in the Oratorian tradition, with norms consonant with the 1917 Code and the 1943 Constitutions.
  • Relation to civil board. The civil corporation’s board (e.g., Society of the Holy Ghost) is distinct from ecclesial governance; it may be consulted on temporal matters but has no vote in the Chapter or the Congregation of Deputies.
  • Founding simplicity. During the early founding period, provisional accommodations consistent with the Oratory’s law and spirit may apply; these do not alter the ordinary structure described above.

IV. Admission and Formation (Public Summary)

  1. Aspirancy. 1–3 months introducing the life, horarium, and customs of the house.
  2. First Probation. 12 months.
  3. Second Probation. 24 months (already-ordained priests may complete 12–18 months when formation and integration are sufficient).
  4. Perpetual Admission. Granted by the Chapter; members are incorporated without vows, committing themselves to the common life by the bond of charity.
  5. Direction & confession. Spiritual direction for aspirants and probationers is ordinarily with priests outside the house; the Provost is not their confessor or spiritual director.

VI. Apostolates and Missions

  1. Stability of place. The Oratory is the stable center of our life and ministry. Our ordinary works are directed to the Oratory church/house and the community that surrounds it; we do not usually engage in itinerant mission work.
  2. External assistance. External preaching, retreats, or assistance beyond the local community may be permitted case by case by the Provost with the consent of the Congregation of Deputies, provided the common exercises are preserved and stability is not harmed, with decorum proper to the Oratory.

Annex A — Common Horarium (on ordinary days)

  • 6:00 AM — Morning Oratory
  • 6:30 AM — Preparation for Mass
  • 6:45 AM — Private Masses
  • 7:30 AM — Public Mass
  • 8:30 AM — Grand Silence ends
  • 12:00 PM — Lunch
  • 4:15 PM — Evening Oratory
  • 6:00 PM — Dinner
  • 6:45 PM — Clean-up
  • 7:00–7:20 PM — Communal recreation
  • 7:30 PM — Compline
  • 10:00 PM — Grand Silence begins

Notes:

• On feasts and penitential days the Congregation of Deputies may adjust schedule or add devotions.

• Mission days may compress non-essential items with the Provost’s permission.

Annex B — Liturgical Praxis and Devotions

  1. Rites. The house follows the pre-1955 Roman liturgical books, and music is in Gregorian chant and approved polyphony.
  2. Morning Oratory. Morning Oratory consists of communal silent prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading. It concludes with the singing of the Veni Creator Spiritus.
  3. Evening Oratory. Evening Oratory consists of Vespers, followed by the singing of De Profundis for the dead.
  4. Ceremonial. The house observes traditional choir discipline, and the Offices are sung either recto tono or with chant as appropriate. Compline is always sung with chant.
  5. Canon of the Mass. Until a Roman Pontiff is publicly manifest, the commemoration of the Pope is omitted in the Canon; a suitable prayer for the restoration of the Holy See is recommended after Mass or at Vespers.

### Promulgation (Public Notice)

This abridged public edition is published for the information of the faithful and friends of the Oratory. The internal Statutes are currently in force ad experimentum and may be updated by the competent authority.