The Home Oratory

04/06/2026

On this Feast of Corpus Christi in the Traditional Rite, I would like to share this remarkable throne used for the solemn exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

During my holiday in Malta, I visited the parish of St Catherine in Żejtun, where I was kindly given a personal tour of the museum. Among the many fascinating treasures of the church was this magnificent gilded Baroque throne. As you can probably tell from my rather enthusiastic “Oooohhh!” in the video, I was genuinely impressed and amazed by its ingenious mechanism—like a little kid seeing something extraordinary for the first time!

It is a stunning piece of sacred art and craftsmanship, and a beautiful testament to the reverence with which our forebears honoured Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

29/05/2026

First Day of Triduum in Honour of Saint Philip Neri (Transferred Feast)

Many thanks to for this wonderful painted candle of Saint Philip Neri! 🙏🏻

26/05/2026

Today, 26 May, is the Feast of Saint Philip Neri. However, some may notice that communities using the traditional Roman Rite are celebrating his feast later this year, on 1 June 2026.

Although 26 May is his actual feast, in 2026 it falls within the Octave of Pentecost, which in the older liturgical calendar takes precedence over most Saints’ feasts. As a result, his feast is transferred to the first available day after the Octave — this year, after Trinity Sunday — and so the celebration takes place on 1 June.

In any case, whether celebrating today or on 1 June, we unite in honouring Saint Philip Neri and commend ourselves to his joyful intercession.

25/05/2026

25/05/2026

Is it just me or does visiting churches in Italy and Malta completely ruin you afterwards 😭 There really is a genuine “downside” to travelling to these places. You spend days walking into these unbelievable Baroque churches with marble everywhere, gold ceilings, giant paintings, side chapels, canopies, angels practically falling out of the walls, and entire buildings that seem designed to make you feel like Heaven is breaking into earth… then you come home and walk into a grey 1970s church that looks like a provincial conference centre with banners, fluorescent lighting, and architecture inspired by a municipal library, and suddenly your soul leaves your body. Before anyone attacks me: yes yes, the Blessed Sacrament is ultimately what makes it a church, and I know the Mass is still the Mass wherever you go — I’m not denying that at all. But, on a serious note, I find it REALLY hard to settle down afterwards. Beauty genuinely affects me spiritually. I think I’m just a very visual person, and when a church is beautiful it naturally lifts the mind and soul towards reverence. Meanwhile some modern churches genuinely make me feel spiritually restless, emotionally dry, and internally dead before Mass has even started 😭 Trying very hard not to become the “everything was better before 1965” guy, but some of these buildings are testing me severely.

That’s all.

21/05/2026

In your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Canon Jason Jones, a dear friend and devoted supporter of The Home Oratory, who passed away suddenly this morning.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen

A priest devoted to prayer, confession, Eucharistic adoration, and care for the sick and dying, Canon Jason Jones touched countless souls through his compassion, zeal, and love for Christ.

RIP Canon Jason Jones 🙏

👉 Read more: https://ewtn.co.uk/article-rest-in-peace-canon-jason-jones/

19/05/2026

Malta has been more than just a holiday 🇲🇹✨ It has been a truly beautiful and enriching experience of faith, friendship, and discovering the beauty of Catholic tradition. From visiting stunning churches to learning more about sacred liturgy, architecture, and devotional art, every moment felt deeply inspiring.

Thank you to the dear friends I’ve been in touch with for years, and to the wonderful new friends I made here, for taking the time to show me around and share Malta’s incredible liturgical and artistic treasures with me. Your kindness and generosity made this journey unforgettable. I leave with so much gratitude, and I already look forward to coming back again.

13/05/2026

Finally seeing the Apostolado in Mdina for the first time was such an unforgettable moment. I’ve admired these extraordinary silver statues for so long, and standing before them in person felt surreal — and honestly, you can probably tell from the video just how happy I was 😂

The “Apostolado” is a remarkable collection of monumental silver statues depicting the Apostles, together with St Paul, St John the Baptist, and the Virgin Mary. Crafted in Rome in the 18th century, these masterpieces were created through an incredibly intricate silversmithing process: sheets of silver were carefully hammered, shaped, chased, engraved, and assembled over wooden structures to form lifelike drapery, movement, and expression. Every detail — from the folds of the garments to the delicate facial features — reflects immense patience, craftsmanship, and devotion.

Today, they remain among Malta’s greatest treasures of sacred art, carrying centuries of history, faith, and baroque artistry within them.

13/05/2026

Admiring the delicate beauty of Ganutell art in Malta 🇲🇹 Handmade flowers crafted from wire, thread, and beads — even more stunning in person. This traditional Maltese art form is often displayed in churches, adorning altars and sacred spaces with intricate handmade floral arrangements that reflect both devotion and craftsmanship.

12/05/2026