Dedication of the Oratory

Last night we went to the Oratory expecting a simple low Mass at 1745 like every other day. Not paying attention to the bulletin, it turned out we were treated to the solemnity of the dedication of the church, in common with the rest of the diocese (the actual anniversary is in mid-June). It was a Sung Latin Mass, with a small schola of two parishioners (both members of the choir) singing wonderful gregorian chant audible right from the back of church! Fr Paul Chavasse was celebrant with a small team of MC, thurifer and acolytes. One of our parishioners currently in the seminary read the first reading, from the book of Kings, to call to mind Solomon's feelings of inadequacy towards the temple he had built.

Fr Paul reflected on the fact we are very blessed with this House of Prayer, our posterity and history deeply embedded within it. Also in the way we have fostered and preserved the beauty of music and liturgy, so that we may make fitting worship and reverence before God. Most importantly he reminded us that we are the building blocks of the church, and that even with the most beautiful building and decoration, it can all become stale without individuals who are dedicated and committed to the Faith. My family do not live in the Parish; I wonder if I have thought enough about this odd position. Many people would exhort me to support my local parish and contribute my talents there (especially when compared with a grand church like the Oratory).

My family is young and still in its infancy. I have never ceased thinking of myself as a little child; requiring guidance, instruction, formation, nourishment and opportunities to live my Faith in practical ways. I want to avoid polemics, so will simply concentrate on those aspects which make the Oratory an essential place to nurture these things.

• The Fathers They always spring to my mind when I speak with fondness about the Oratory. Outsiders will often remark that the Oratory is 'distant' and 'impersonal' (probably due to the size of the building and the solemnity of the liturgy). To this I will always answer that the Oratory Fathers are the friendliest, kindest and most genuine priests I have come to know. But this is not the normal kind of friendship which I may have with contemporaries, it is a priestly friendship. It has a divine origin which speaks of a friendship with Christ. I have not come to think of it like that before now, so I will try to explain. When I associate with the Fathers, I am aware that they have all the time in the world for me. They may be busy in the practical sense, but not in other ways; a presence in the confessional before every mass; their preserved role of distributing the blessed sacrament during holy communion; several daily masses; availability of spiritual direction; religious groups like the brothers of the little oratory; devotional services like benediction, adoration, processions, vigils.All these things speak strongly of the endless mercy of Christ present in spiritual formation and the sacraments, through the priest who is living his vocation of Alter Christus - Another Christ. I have also heard of diocesan priests envious of the number of priests (five) present at the Oratory to share their huge duty of missionary duties. Well, in the context of their history, five is actually very few (there is space for twenty!). The Oratory has a unique responsibility and duty when compared with the average parish, and this is not to sound arrogant; each priest at the Oratory works incredibly hard for the service of his parishioners and at the service of each other. Above this, they often serve a duty to the wider Church, of study and writing. The quality of the liturgy, historical work and the cause for the beatification of Cardinal Newman are all responsibilities which are undertaken.

• The BuildingAs mentioned previously, there is a wealth of history and lay devotion, artwork and sculpture which is clearly visible at the Oratory. All of this intends to orientate the mind toward God, endowing us with means of devotions and opportunities towards sanctification.

• The Parishioners As time has gone by, we have made more friends and important networks of support. This makes it harder for us to simply 'church hop' like we used to; we feel more settled and valued, with a special place to bring our daughter each week. Fellowship isn't nearly the most important part of going to church, but this is traditionally the place where the community comes together and develops relationships. This has been most conducive within separate parish communities (of which there are many: Brothers, Union of Catholic Mothers, Legion of Mary, Walsingham Association, Society of St Vincent de Paul, Lourdes Group).

• The Liturgy The Eucharist is the "source and summit of Christian life" and therefore the most fitting and reverent celebration of it is my favourite thing (as I'm sure is clearly evident from the Blog). I don't want to argue about what is right and what is wrong, and therefore at the Oratory I can easily get on with my spiritual life and benefit from the sacraments without having occasions to sin by worrying what is going on, and becoming judgemental. The Liturgy is not banal, and equally it is not pretentious. Additionally I am learning more and more traditional devotions all the time: hymns sung at Benediction, antiphons to Our Lady, Latin ordinary of the Mass (to which Vatican II exhorts the people to know their parts - Sacrosanctum Concilium 54) This all helps us to practice our Faith in a productive, lively, and worthy way.

I hope these points will help others to see why the Oratory is so important in our lives, and why its worth travelling a distance for.