Festive Oratories
“The Oratory was born of the faith and genius of St Philip Neri, who knew how to combine in a harmonious synthesis the charismatic dimension and full communion with the Pastors of the Church. In the Rome of his time he also met the spiritual and material needs of young people with deep wisdom, exemplifying the joyful dimension of faith to the point that he was considered ‘the prophet of Christian joy’” (Blessed John Paul II).
The festive Oratory is a religiously fervent and morally healthy atmosphere, which involves the youth in their totality in order guide them with great depth and decision, so that they can possess the heavenly life in an atmosphere of religiosity, kindness, joy, freedom and youthful openness. It is truly and properly an educational work, having both an individual and a wide-ranging social redemptive efficacy.
The Oratory has no timetable; it should fill the leisure hours of the life of the youth, it should fill the youth with possibilities, with joy, with heavenly and human values, with training and entertainment, with instruction and edification.
Joy is essential to the spirit of the Oratory. Christian life is a preparation for a joyful feast. Joy springs from possessing what one loves. He who rejoices in love is the one who truly rejoices: "When charity is joyful, there is a feast" (St. John Chrysostom).
The attention to youth, therefore, has a preferential place in the apostolate of our Religious Family.