ORATORY OF JESUS AND OF MARY IMMACULATE. — Society of priests living in community without vows, founded in Paris in 1611 Bérulle (v.). He drew his inspiration from the Roman institution of s. Filippo Neri and encouragement from s. Francesco di Sales. On 10 May 1613, Paul V approved it by apostolic brief.
The purpose of the new institution was to raise the standard of the clergy’s life through a greater understanding of their duties, a deeper spirituality, and a sounder education. To achieve this purpose, de Bérulle and his disciples neglected nothing, and the success they attained was considerable. At the founder’s death, the o. had no fewer than 45 houses, having overcome every kind of difficulty. De Bérulle was the spiritual director of s. Vincenzo de' Paoli, and Condren, his successor, of Olier: in this way he prepared the masters of the French school of spirituality. Fr. Bourgoing (1641–62) opened the first seminaries in Paris, Rouen, and Toulouse; he established the Society with the Constitutions that were approved by Innocent X in 1654, spread de Bérulle’s doctrine, and published his works. Men distinguished for their learning made the o. famous: 5 of its members belonged to the Académie française, 6 to the Academy of Inscriptions, and 7 to the Academy of Sciences. Despite this glorious past, the Revolution of 1792 also overwhelmed the o., and its members were dispersed. It was possible to reconstitute it in 1852 through Frs. Pététot, Gratry, and Valrager, and a decree of the Holy See in 1864 approved this reconstitution and declared that it was nothing other than the continuation of de Bérulle’s work. The Constitutions were approved in 1892. The o. carries out its formative work chiefly in the minor seminaries and colleges. Cardinal Perraud, superior from 1884 to 1901, revived the glorious tradition of the past. Severely tested by the laws of 1901, the o. regained universal admiration through the activity of distinguished writers, Baudrillart (v.).