Funtastic Friday

WHAT IS AN ORATORY?

An Oratory is a place where young people can come to play, pray, learn more about their faith and grow in their relationship with God and one another. St. John Bosco said the Oratory should be a home, school, church and playground.

Don Bosco began his work for young people at his “Oratory of St. Francis de Sales” in 1841. This Oratory moved around to several places in Turin, Italy until 1846, when it finally settled in the city’s Valdocco district. It is there now.
It was and is a home for young people to gather, play games, praise the Lord and learn about His Good News, and to prepare for life.

The Oratory is not only a place where people gather. 
An Oratory is also an EXPERIENCE.

There are 4 parts of the oratory:
it is a HOME that welcomes and gives a sense of belonging and safety. It is a CHURCH that evangelizes and gives our faith meaning.
It is a SCHOOL that educates and enables critical thinking.
And lastly, it is a PLAYGROUND where friends meet, play and celebrate individuality. 
Every Salesian work is inspired by the Oratory.