Here you will find the information about Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation Marriage and catechesis in preparation for these Sacraments.
According to canon law, “Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptised within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it” (Code of Canon Law, can. 867 §1).
Those wishing to have their child baptised should please contact Oratory House and ask to speak to the priest on duty (see Hours of Duty below). All subsequent meeting, bookings and arrangements will be done through him, so please make a note of his name! He will ask to meet with you before the baptism in order to explain the nature of the sacrament and the responsibilities which flow from it, and to make parents familiar with the rite of baptism.
Normally baptisms take place in the parish where a family is resident. If you do not live in the Oratory parish but have a good reason for wanting to have your child baptised here then please explain that to the priest on duty. In such cases your own parish priest will need to give permission for the baptism to take place at the Oratory.
The choice of godparents (sponsors), who are to help the baptised to live a good Christian life and faithfully to fulfil the duties inherent in baptism, is an important one. “There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each” (Code of Canon Law, can. 873). A godparent must be a Catholic of not less than sixteen years of age, who has been confirmed and who lives a life of faith that befits the role to be undertaken. A baptised person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may be admitted in company with a Catholic sponsor as a Christian witness.
It is preferable to come to the House in person rather than to telephone.
Hours of Duty:
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-12.00pm; 3.00pm-5.30pm.
Enquiry Stage
Initial enquiries regarding the use of the Oratory Church should be made in person to the priest on duty at the Oratory House, Brompton Road, London, SW7 2RP. All subsequent meeting, bookings and arrangements will be done through him, so please make a note of his name!
The duty priest is available:
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-12.00pm; 3.00pm-5.30pm.
No wedding bookings will be taken over the telephone or by email.
In order to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church, at least one of you must be a Catholic. If you do not normally worship at the London Oratory, please state the name of the parish where you normally attend Mass and give the reasons you wish to marry here (for instance, personal connection to the Oratory or one of our schools). Please remember that it is important to approach the church first before making your plans for a reception venue. We do not have weddings on a Sunday. No dates will be confirmed until you both meet with a priest from the London Oratory.
Marriage Preparation
Your wedding should be the culmination of much prayer and reflection. Your priest will guide you in this process. To assist you in this, it is required that both of you attend Marriage Preparation either with a priest here or your local parish.
Order of Service
You may choose to have a Wedding Service, or (if both spouses are Catholic) a Nuptial Mass which can be in English or Latin. Please consult with the priest helping you regarding this question. There is a choice of readings and music to be made in either case.
Music
The music provided must be from our Director of Music, Organist and Choir. Our musicians at the Oratory are professionals, hence the fees they charge and any recording of their work is part of their livelihood. If you wish to record your wedding, you will have to pay an additional fee to those performing the music, as required by law. Our Director of Music or our Organist will give you more information.Please note that only sacred music can be used at weddings in our church.
Church Preparations and Fees
Our Head Sacristan looks after church preparations. He will discuss with you flower arrangements, photography, video recording, and all other practical matters.
Catechism classes to prepare for First Holy Communion will start in the autumn of each year. The course runs during term-time until June the following year.
You can choose to attend either on Saturdays at 11.30am or on Wednesdays at 5.00pm. Please specify your preferred day when applying.
The application form may be downloaded here and then returned to Fr Rupert McHardy at the Oratory House.
For more details, please email oratoryparish1stcommunions@gmail.com.
If you are interested for your child, please complete the application form here
Do you want to know more about the Catholic Church and her beliefs and practices? Do you want to come closer to God? Are you looking for the true meaning of life, why we are here, and where we are going?
Each year we run a group to help with these and many other related enquiries. This is a course of instruction for those who wish to know more about Jesus Christ and the Church He founded.
Classes begin again on 17th March 2026 at 8pm, and meet every Tuesday at that time, for a total of 15 sessions. The course is mainly for those who desire to become Catholic (whether or not they are already baptised). Adult Catholics who are not yet confirmed and want to receive this Sacrament are also welcome. No need to register. Just bring this form with you.
Classes take place in St Joseph's Hall. The hall is located on the ground floor of the building on the left hand side of the courtyard adjacent to the Oratory Church, through the double red doors.
Further details from the Oratory House phone
+44 (0)20 7808 0900 or email generalenquiries@bromptonoratory.co.uk
EXPLORE WHITFIELD
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