Oratory of the Good Shepherd

The Oratory of the Good Shepherd (OGS) is a dispersed international religious community, within the Anglican Communion. Members of the oratory are bound together by a common rule and discipline, which requires consecrated celibacy, and are strengthened by prayer and fellowship; they do not normally live together in community but meet regularly in chapter and retreat and report to one another on their keeping of the rule.

The spirit of the oratory is expressed in its "Seven Notes", which call the brethren to fellowship, stewardship of gifts and possessions, love, labour of the mind and to a life of joy and thanksgiving.^[1]

The Rule of the Oratory requires celibacy, a regular account of spending and direction of life. The rule commits the brethren of OGS to:

• praying for one another by name each day
• daily Eucharist, where possible
• morning and evening prayer
• and to an hour of private prayer

In addition, 'Labour of the Mind' is a characteristic of the oratory, and members are expected to spend time in study – although this takes a variety of forms for different brethren.

The oratory encourages its members in their individual ministries and has among its members bishops, parish priests, lecturers, missionaries, a cathedral verger, and many others.