DO YOU FEEL THE CALL TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE?
The Oratory exists to promote, discern and direct priestly and religious vocations among men of our Parish community. Although a vocation begins with a personal call from God, rooted in Baptism, to serve God’s people, it also involves a call from the Church, which discerns in an individual the necessary gifts for a life in Holy Orders or Religious Life.
Congregation and Oratory
The name "Oratory " is used to describe the main work of Saint Philip Neri : a community of Laity. The community of priests who lead spiritually is called the "Congregation of the Oratory".
The Oratory of St. Philip Neri is a community of priests that their Superior is the Holy Father. Legally it is called "Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right". It is different from other religious communities, no Provincial or Superior General. The Superior of the Oratory House of each region is called Provost; this means that each Oratory is governed directly by the Holy See.
Another unique feature of a Congregation of the Oratory is that most of its members entering a particular Oratory stay there forever. Most oratories have parishes entrusted to their care. This shows the good relationship the Oratorians try to establish with their bishops and the local Church. Such is the case of our parish Sacred Heart it is entrusted to the pastoral care of the Fathers of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Pharr.
The Pharr Oratory, invites qualified men to consider committed ministry in the Church, and evaluates and forms potential candidates for priesthood.
We invite you to contact us, so that we can talk further about God’s call for you.
Call us at (956) 843-2463 or e-mail us at sacredhearthid@cdob.org