There’s something for all ages here at the Oratory. Our groups play a vital role in helping our young people to form each other in the faith, by getting to know Christ better, getting to know each other better, and praying together.

Gaeta (15–17)

One Friday per month 8pm–9:15pm

Gaeta (said guy-eh-ta) is the name of a small town in Italy. It’s where St Philip Neri (who started the Oratory) heard Christ telling him what to do with his life.

We know it can be hard to hear Christ’s voice sometimes over all the others telling us what to do. Our Gaeta group here in Oxford is a place where the young people of our parish aged 15–17 can get together to listen to that guiding voice of Christ.

Meetings take place once per month, but we encourage participants to meet at other times to socialise and to pray together. For the dates of this year’s meetings, click here.

Young Oratory (11–16)

Tuesday 5pm–6:15pm

Young Oratory is the place for Catholics aged 11–16 to learn about what it means to have faith in Christ, how to lead a good life, what it means to be happy, and to get answers to questions about the faith. Having friends the same age at Young Oratory is key to practising the faith during those years when we find our faith most challenged.

Young Oratory meets on Tuesdays during school term time. Our normal meetings begin with a game, then we discuss a text taken from the Scriptures or a spiritual writer. There is a chance to answer questions, and we finish with a period of prayer. At the end of each term, there is a special two hour session with Mass and games. There is a residential pilgrimage during each Easter holiday (previous trips include Rome, Yorkshire and Devon), and a summer programme here in Oxford during August. Participants are also given opportunities to serve those in need throughout the year. Meetings begin in the Parish Centre.

Children’s Liturgy (2–4)

Sundays 9:30

During the School term, Children’s Liturgy runs during the Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 Sunday Mass. Children from years 2 to 4 are invited to come along and join in the singing, catechesis, activity and prayer. Each session focuses on the Sunday Gospel reading or on a recent feast and aims to help children engage with the message of the week as well as prepare them to participate more fully in the Mass after they make their first Holy Communion.