2025 marks the fiftieth anniversary since the establishment of the Montreal Oratory on 1 November 1975. The Oratory would move to Toronto four years later, where it has been ever since. The first major event commemorating this milestone was a gala held on October 5 in the Governor’s Room at the Liberty Grand. Preliminary images and footage from the gala can be found below. More will be uploaded in the coming weeks. The program booklet from the gala can be downloaded here, and the video shown at the gala can is also available.

A Solemn High Mass was celebrated on the actual anniversary of 1 November, which is not only the date of the community’s foundation in 1975, but this year coincided with the Pope’s declaration of the English Oratorian St John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church. A new Mass setting was commissioned for the anniversary, Missa Omnium Santorum by Phillip Cooke. A reception followed, in which the Oratory house was opened up to parishioners and friends. Pictures from the event, as well as recordings from the Mass, are available below.

The Toronto Oratory plans to continue its 50th anniversary celebrations in the coming months. A special anniversary concert is also planned for November 14 at Holy Family Parish at 8pm. The program features Baroque music from the Oratory in Rome, with music for voices and strings by Giacomo Carissimi, Francesco Foggia, Virgilio Mazzocchi, and others. Admission is free. Hoping very much to see you there, to support the Oratory’s patronage of the living tradition of liturgical music.