Our Life
"He who asks for anything but Christ, does not know what he is asking;"
Saint Philip Neri
Like St. Philip Neri, we desire to make prayer the heart of our life. While we lead very active apostolates, all of these works orbit around our life of prayer since we know that without God, we can do no good.
Community Schedule:
By 5 a.m. the members awake for private prayer until Morning Oratory.
6:40 - 7:20am Morning Oratory in Community (Prayer)
7:30 a.m. Parish Mass in English and Spanish*
12:15 p.m. Parish Mass in Latin*
1 p.m. Lunch
5:30 – 6:15 Evening Oratory in Community (Prayer)
Private rosary daily
Members spend at least one additional hour in prayer each day in private.
After Evening Oratory we have supper in silence with table reading (Once a week, in the place of table reading, there is a discussion of a theological/spiritual question).
Members make a visit to Our Lord before retiring to sleep.
Community Nights: On Friday evenings we have an extended time of recreation after supper (we like to take hikes in the great parks nearby or, when the weather’s bad, we watch a movie at home).
Desert Days: At least once a month, following the parish Mass, we have a communal desert day. Desert days are spent in total silence and prayer. The prayer schedule of the day is followed with an additional hour of adoration with benediction. These days are shared with the entire parish.
On Desert Days we have Sung Solemn Vespers at 5:30 p.m. (the Holy Hour begins at 5 p.m.).
Members have a free day once a week.
*The priests and brothers alternate Masses and may celebrate or serve at either of the parish Masses.