The Little Oratory is open to any Catholic man, over the age of eighteen, who wishes to deepen his spiritual life in accordance with the tradition of St Philip, by serving God under St Philip’s gentle guidance and to associate themselves more closely with the common life of the Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation.

The Brothers of the Little Oratory seek to grow in holiness by making a particular effort to practise the virtue of charity towards one another. We do this in number of ways, but principally in our meetings twice a month on Wednesdays at the Oratory. The first meeting of the month is a Prayer Meeting, which begins with silent meditation, and is followed by vocal prayers in Latin, which have changed little since the time of our holy Founder. The second meeting is a Reading Meeting, in which we seek to digest a spiritual text (e.g. one of the sermons of our holy Cardinal) and to apply its principles to ourselves. The Meetings generally take about an hour, and are followed by recreation.

Individually we pray a short Office of St Philip each day, and undertake to make regular visits to the Blessed Sacrament. We aim to attend Saturday evening Adoration and Sunday Vespers and Benediction, making a particular effort to join with the annual Forty Hours’ Devotion (Quarant’ Ore). 

As Brothers of the Little Oratory, we enjoy the privilege of taking a leading part in liturgical celebrations at the Oratory, including Vespers, Mass on major Solemnities, processions, etc.; and, at least once a year, we undertake a pilgrimage and a day of recollection.

For aspirants, there is a probation period of three meetings, after which the Brothers vote (in secret) on the aspirant’s admission. For more information, email brothers@manchesteroratory.org or speak to one of the Community.