“Oratory” refers to both a physical building, meaning a house of prayer, as well as a group of priests living in community. Founded by St. Philip Neri in the 1500’s, the first Oratory was established as a result of a small group of laymen who regularly met for prayer, spiritual reading and discussion and has continued to be a place where its community can gather to celebrate the sacraments, worship together and deepen their faith life. Currently there are over ninety Oratories worldwide. The Pittsburgh Oratory of St. Philip Neri was founded in 1961 and serves as the Newman Center for the students of the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Chatham University.
What is the Oratory?
Our Mission
The Pittsburgh Oratory and Newman Center cultivates lifelong relationships with Christ in local university students and lay faithful of Pittsburgh through participation in the sacraments, devotion to the Word of God, and formation of intentional Catholic community, following the spirit of St. Philip Neri and St. John Henry Newman.
Newman Centers are a place for Catholic students at secular universities to gather and create Christ-centered friendships, get involved in campus ministry, and participate in various events which enrich and deepen their faith lives. The Newman Center in Pittsburgh is unique in that it is integrated into the Oratory, which provides students access to the sacraments and ministry of Oratorian priests and brothers.
Check out our Campus Ministry page HERE.
What is a Newman Center?
