Format of an Oratory Meeting

The weekly internet meditation and the structure of the meeting

In order to enhance the spiritual effectiveness of the prayer groups, a weekly meditation based on the Gospels, or occasionally on other New Testament readings will be published on the internet.  For the moment, Fr. Benedict Groeschel will provide these.  A moderately lengthy scripture reading and a meditation will be read at the prayer group gathering.  This will be followed by a time of silent prayer, then a period of sharing of ideas from the readings.  The meeting will close with a few prayers (some written, some spontaneous), and then end with the singing of a hymn.  It may well be that other hymns will be sung during the prayer meeting, particularly the invocation of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the meeting.  During the prayer meeting, members may at a certain time, introduce individual prayer intentions that they have.  The formal part of the meeting should be approximately one hour.  The group may elect to say the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet after the end of the meeting.  It is also probably a good idea to have a little social after the meeting, but no one should be obliged to stay.  In order that the members will be able to welcome all Catholics who wish to pray, no special prayer forms or devotions, like Charismatic prayer or petitions to particular saints, or prayers from private revelation should be introduced.  As we mentioned, spiritual prayer groups based on these experiences already exist.

Detailed Outline of an Oratory Prayer Meeting

1) All remain quiet for a few minutes of recollection (then all stand).

2) The person chosen to lead this particular meeting invokes the help of the Holy Spirit by leading the singing of “Come Holy Ghost”, or by this prayer:

Come Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of the faithful,
and enkindle in us the fire of Your Love;
send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created
and You will renew the face of the earth.

Followed by:

Let us pray:
O God who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the heart of the faithful, grant us by that same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

3) Then there is a reading from the New Testament – a reading will be assigned each week on the oratory website (Then all sit).

4) After a few quiet minutes the meditation from the website is read, and/or some scripture commentary or pertinent reading. Then for about 20-25 minutes the members discuss how the passage applies to them as the members of the group or to devout Christians in our time. The discussion should focus on how to grow in love of God and neighbor. Then the leader calls the discussion to an end.

5) At the end of the discussion spontaneous prayer may be held, or some prayers or Psalms may be read that are pertinent to the reading. At the end of this prayer the personal petitions of the members may be given in this form:

That (so and so) may be restored to health;

Let us pray to the Lord.
All respond: Lord hear our prayer (or some similar form may be used).

6) (All stand) The meeting ends with the “Lord’s Prayer” and such aspirations as:

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto Yours; or,
O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee.

At this point if a priest is present he will give the blessing. The meeting should not last for more than an hour.

7) The meeting ends with a hymn that the group knows – for example,

“Holy God We Praise Thy Name”.

Other hymns may be learned and practiced after the meeting. Any business like the time and plan of the next meeting is done after the hymn. The Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or a novena prayer may be added. Members may also want to discuss how they are fulfilling the other requirements of the oratory like the care of the poor and needy, parish assistance or apostolic work. In the course of time spiritual books may be suggested and these can be discussed at the “social” after the meeting. This social time is suggested and can be accompanied by simple refreshments.