At 6.30pm on Friday 22nd November, the feast day of St Cecilia, patron saint of music, we will hold a special Musical Oratory in the church in her honour. During this Musical Oratory, Bishop Jim Curry will invest the Oratory’s Director of Music, Professor Patrick Russill, as a Knight of St Gregory the Great.

Bishop Curry, recently consecrated as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Westminster, has long been a friend of the Oratory, having been our neighbour for many years as Parish Priest at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington. We are delighted to welcome him back to the Oratory for the first time since his elevation to the episcopate. 

The Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great was founded in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI. It is conferred as a reward for services to the Holy See and the Church upon gentlemen and ladies who “by reason of their nobility, the renown of their deeds, or the degree of their munificence, are deemed worthy to be honoured by a public expression of esteem on the part of the Holy See”. 

The Latin decree of investiture reads as follows (in translation): “Francis, Supreme Pontiff, gladly acceding to a request made to Us, from which We have gathered that you are most deserving for what you have done for the Holy Catholic Church and its affairs, and in order that We might give a clear sign of Our pleasure and appreciation, We choose, make, and declare you, Patrick Russill, of the Diocese of Westminster, a Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great. We bestow upon you the right to use and enjoy all the privileges which accompany this high dignity. Given at St Peter’s in Rome on 17 May 2024, Signed and sealed by Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State”.

This honour is awarded to Professor Russill for his excellence and influence in church music, and on church musicians throughout the country and beyond, over many decades, including his years of dedicated service at the Oratory. We are conscious that this mark of esteem from the Holy See also does honour to the Oratory’s musical tradition, which Professor Russill has done so much to sustain and promote.  The Fathers heartily join many others across the country in congratulating him on this much-deserved honour. 

The music performed will include sacred works by Peter Philips and Monteverdi, including his great Gloria of 1640, with members of the Oratory Choir and period strings. All are warmly invited to attend.