Today is the feast of Our Lady, Mother and Queen, so it’s probably no coincidence that the website of Australia’s first Oratory of St Philip Neri was launched today. Our Lady, Help of Christians is the Oratory’s principle patron.
An Oratory of St Philip Neri is a small community of diocesan priests and seminarians, who follow a rule of life bound not by religious vows and obedience, but by the bond of charity. Every Oratory is autonomous, and priests belong to their particular community, not to the Oratory at large. Two of the most famous Oratory fathers are St Philip Neri and Bl John Henry Newman.
To establish the Oratory in Brisbane, a number of priests much leave their home diocese, and permanently move to Brisbane where they will live and work in community for the rest of their lives. It’s early days yet — the Oratory isn’t due to be formally established until 2015 — so the names of these priests haven’t been publicised. Still, there’s a lot of information on the website, and Fr Paul Chandler, parish priest of Banyo and Nundah in the Brisbane Archdiocese, is revealed as one of the Oratory’s founding members.
There’s also information about Shawn Murphy, the Oratory’s first seminarian, who just this week flew to Toronto to commence his studies. He’s an impressive fellow. Pray for him, and for all seminarians!
Dear Father,
Great that you mentioned the new Brisbane’s Oratory’s website. Like your blog a good read.
A ‘send off’ for Shawn, with the proviso that he return, was had at Saint Aloysius on 11 August.
I’m sure many will keep him in their prayers.
In Christo,
Anthony Bidgood
Thanks very much for this good news, fr John. I met Fr Paul when I was a parishioner at Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Middle Park in the 80s. – He wasn’t directly involved in the parish, but I was very impressed indeed by this quiet priest. I am delighted and not at all surprised that he has become a founder of such a community.
MuMu, just a head’s up that there are two Fr Paul Chandlers in Brisbane 🙂 The one helping with the oratory was ordained in 2006 🙂
Do you know, I’d forgotten about this Ed! So I didn’t pick up MuMu’s error.
In 2005, my first year at the seminary, Fr Paul Chandler O.Carm delivered a series of lectures on St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila.
The other Fr Paul Chandler — the founding Oratorian — I didn’t meet until 2011, my first year as a priest.
Thanks for the clarification!
No worries Fr John 🙂 they’re both pretty awesome guys anyway, I think I once heard someone call them O.Carm and no.Carm haha
Yes we should keep all the priests in our hearts and all the man who are becoming a priest especially James Kerr!
Thanks Simon!