Life
The Oratorian idea necessarily seeks a concrete realization: for it isn’t only an idea, but is also a life, which must be lived in a definite place and time by specific people. So inescapably each particular Oratory expresses a certain selection from among the resources of the tradition, a distinctive inclination and emphasis shaped by the particular persons involved and by the circumstances in which their vocation takes root and unfolds. And since no two Oratories express the Oratorian idea in the same way, a person’s Oratorian vocation cannot develop from the sources alone, but comes to life only in relation to an actual community. He must find in the here and now of a given community the attractions and challenges by means of which he hopes to be sanctified according to the Oratorian idea.
Current Members

Fr Paul Pearson
CLOTHED: September 8, 1985
Biography

Fr David Roche
Founding member (November 1, 1975)
Biography

Br Ted Rys
Clothed: December 24, 1976
Biography

Fr Juvenal Merriell
CLOTHED: September 3, 1979
Biography

Fr Daniel Utrecht
CLOTHED: June 29, 1980
Biography

Fr Thomas Trottier
CLOTHED: March 25, 1982
Biography

Fr Martin Hilbert
CLOTHED: September 8, 1985
Biography

Fr Marco Guillen
CLOTHED: August 30, 1992
Biography
Following his return to Toronto Fr Marco was ordained to the priesthood in 1998 and began teaching in both the philosophy and theology programmes at St Philip’s, while also assisting with parochial work and serving as chaplain to Mary Mother of God School.
He has meanwhile continued his formal education by obtaining a Licentiate in Bioethics from the Regina Apostolorum Athenaeum in Rome, and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Santa Croce University in Rome. In his capacity as a canonist he works as a judge in the Toronto Regional Marriage Tribunal.
Fr Marco has also been active in the
international Oratorian Confederation. From 2012-2018 he served as a member of its Permanent Deputation of advisors. In 2018 he was elected by the General Congress to be the Delegate of the Holy See and Apostolic Visitor to Oratories worldwide – the highest, and most onerous, office in the Confederation. In his ever-decreasing spare time Fr Marco pursues interests in the romance languages and their literature, in the theatre, and in crime fiction.

Fr Derek Cross
CLOTHED: December 8, 1994
Biography

Fr Philip Cleevely
CLOTHED: October 4, 1993 (at the Birmingham Oratory (UK))
Biography

Fr Michael Eades
CLOTHED: August 1, 2004
Biography

Fr Alexander Griffiths
Clothed: August 15, 2016
Biography

Fr Christopher Huynh
Clothed: August 15, 2016
Biography

Br Bruno Hegedüs
Clothed: October 6, 2019
Biography

Br Jeffrey Sullivan
Clothed: October 9, 2020
Biography

Br Bernard Weir
Clothed: August 14, 2022
Biography
Deceased Members

Fr Jonathan Robinson
Founder (November 1, 1975)
In Memoriam
Biography
Timeline
The Beginnings
Fr Jonathan Robinson gathers together several young men with the project of living together as a community under the patronage and inspiration of Saint Philip.
Montreal Oratory established
The new community is formally erected as an Oratory. Fr Robinson is made Provost with Fr David the second founding member.
First Mass at Holy Family
Cardinal Carter, having invited the Montreal Oratory to relocate to Toronto, bestows upon the community the care of Holy Family Parish.
Beginnings of St Philip’s Seminary
The Oratory establishes its own Seminary. In 1990 the Province of Ontario will grant to the new institution the power of conferring degrees.
First Mass at St Vincent de Paul Parish
As well as Holy Family, the Oratory now receives care of the neighbouring parish of St Vincent de Paul.
Dedication of the new Church of the Holy Family
On 13 June 1997 a fire entirely destroys Holy Family parish church which, following an ambitious fundraising campaign, is replaced by the church as it stands today.
Renovatio
A second fundraising campaign, Renovatio, begins in 2017, this time chiefly directed to the consolidation and expansion of St Philip’s Seminary. One major fruit of Renovatio is the new Seminary building due for opening in September 2021.
New Artwork
Thanks to a generous benefaction the sanctuary of Holy Family Parish is enhanced by the installation of artwork by Ken Woo.
Death of Fr Robinson
The Toronto Oratory loses its founder. Requiescat in pace.