The Hermitage of Our Lady & St Benedict
The Congregation of the Hermitage of St Benedict is an order of men consecrated to the eremitical or common life lived according to the Rule of St Benedict. We are fortunate in Brighton to have a hermitage of the Congregation in our parish mission located near our regular Mass centre at The Brighton Congress Hall. The resident hermit here is Fr Albanus (or Alban) OSB. Daily Mass and the round of Monastic Offices is offered here but admittance is by invitation only.
Nota Bene
We ask all visitors to please observe the following customs when attending divine worship in the Chapel; these traditional and courteous customs preserve a prayerful ambience for the benefit of all.
First time if you’ve not attended a traditional Latin Mass before, we fully recommend allowing the experience to prayerfully envelope you by not being overly concerned about following the order of Mass! “Do as they do” ref others in the congregation for standing/sitting etc. The readings, homily (sermon) and some prayers will be in English, but it is not necessary to understand literally everything being said or done to gain benefit from the experience of participating in this, one of the oldest forms of Christian worship.
Confession prior to Mass and sometimes after Mass, a priest may be available to hear Confession. In order to allow others to avail themselves of the same and the priest to prepare before Mass, please keep your Confession brief and succinct; if you require spiritual direction, an appointment may be made with a priest for another mutually convenient time.
It is customary for women to be veiled for divine worship; chapel veils are available to be borrowed for this purpose in the vestibule before the Chapel contained in a basket. Similarly it is customary for men not to wear short-sleeved clothing nor shorts for divine worship.
Holy Communion please inform the priest before Mass if you intend to receive holy Communion. Orthodox Catholics who have been baptised and chrismated (confirmed) are welcome to receive the Blessed Sacrament; other Christians in sympathy with Orthodox Catholic doctrine, are welcome to receive a benediction from the Blessed Sacrament.
For Sundays and holy days of obligation Missalettes containing the Propers/Readings of the Mass and information about the feast are available in the basket in the vestibule. Please do not take these away!
We observe a prayerful silence within the Chapel, especially before divine worship and immediately following its conclusion; please reserve greetings and conversations for the vestibule and carpark.
Offerings No collection is taken during divine worship, please use the collection box in the basket in the vestibule to leave your offering.
The Brighton Oratory 