Oratory of the Good Shepherd
OGS
Founded 1913
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The Oratory of the Good Shepherd is a society of priests and laymen founded at Cambridge (UK), which now has provinces
in North America, Australia, Southern Africa and Great Britain.
Oratorians are bound together by a common Rule and discipline; members do not generally live together in community.
The brethren are grouped in 'colleges' and meet regularly for prayer and support, and each province meets annually
for retreat and chapter. Every three years, the General Chapter meets, presided over by the Superior of the whole
Oratory, whose responsibility is to maintain the unity of the provinces.
Consecration of life in the Oratory has the twin purpose of fostering the individual brother's personal search
for God in union with his brethren, and as a sign of the Kingdom. So through the apostolic work of the brethren,
the Oratory seeks to make a contribution to the life and witness of the whole Church.
In common with traditional communities, the Oratory requires celibacy. Brothers are accountable to their brethren
for their spending and are expected to live simply and with generosity. The ideal spiritual pattern includes daily
Eucharist, Offices, and an hour of prayer. Study is also regarded as important in the life. During the time of
probation which lasts one or two years, the new brother is cared for and nurtured in the Oratory life by another
brother of his College. The brother may then, with the consent of the province, make his first profession, which
is renewed annually for at least five years, though with the hope of intention and perseverance for life. After
five years, profession can be made for a longer period, and after ten years a brother may, with the consent of
the whole Oratory, make his profession for life.
The Right Reverend John Salt OGS
Bishop of St Helena
(Superior, assumed office 1996)
PO Box 62, St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean
Fax: 290 4330 Email: jsalt@ogs.net
The Community in Australia
Kenneth Mason OGS
(Acting Provincial, assumed office 2002)
141 Brookes Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane,
Queensland 4006, Australia
The Community in North America
Carlson Gerdau OGS
(Provincial, assumed office 1996)
Apt 19 A/N, 60 Sutton Place South, New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel: 212 421 6942 Email: cgerdau@ogs.net
The Community in Southern Africa
Thambi Shangi OGS
(Provincial, assumed office 1999)
PO Box 50053, Osizweni 2952, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
The Community in the UK
Lindsay Urwin OGS
(Provincial, assumed office 1996)
Bishop’s House, 21 Guildford Road, Horsham, RH12 1LU, UK
Tel: 01403 211139 Fax: 01403 217349 Email: lurwin@ogs.net
For further details, see the OGS Website, or
obtain a copy of
The Anglican Religious Communities Year Book