The Daughters of St. Philip Neri (DSPN) is a group of Catholic lay women who devote themselves to prayer and penance for the sake of supporting priests everywhere.  It is an initiative of the Pittsburgh Oratory that is a response to the call made in 2008 by Cardinal Claudio Hummes for devout Catholic women to embrace a personal vocation to be spiritual mothers on behalf of priests.  This call came in response to the proliferation of priest scandals that were a painful sign of the profound crisis affecting the priesthood everywhere.  In his document of 2008 the Cardinal quotes Pope Pius X who said that “Every priestly vocation comes from the heart of God but passes through the heart of a mother.”  Cardinal Hummes wanted the women responding to the call to seek to “meet” their spiritual sons before the Blessed Sacrament.  In adoration they would offer up their prayers and sacrifices to support those ministering to the Body of Christ.  The Daughters of St. Philip Neri seek to respond to this call. 

Membership in the Daughters is a deeply personal reality that begins first by sharing in the life of the Fathers and Brothers of the Oratory.  For this reason, we typically ask that those interested in joining become active in what is called “the Little Oratory.”  The Little Oratory is our name for the community of lay people who come to the Oratory for any purpose, e.g., to receive the sacraments, attend lectures, faith formation groups, Bible studies, etc.  We ask that a prospective member be active in this context for at least a year before beginning her year of discernment.  During this year she participates in the ministry and worship of the Oratory, engages in opportunities for growth and formation in faith and holiness, and seeks to embrace the spirit of St. Philip Neri alongside other Little Oratorians.  It is encouraged that those interested meet to discuss their interest with the Prefect of the DSPN, who is currently Fr. Michael.

Once ready, the new Daughter attends a small ceremony with other members, typically on St Philip Neri’s feast day (May 26), where she pledges to commit herself for a year to the work of “spiritual motherhood,” i.e., prayer and acts of sacrifice for the sake of priests.  At the center of this prayerful solicitude for priests is each Daughter’s devotion to the Eucharist.  Devotion to the Eucharist is the meeting place between the Daughter and the priests she supports.  She is encouraged to make a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament once per day, and where this is not possible, to substitute a time of devotion that includes the lifting up of her mind and heart to God for the sake of the renewal of the priesthood.

This pledge is made for a year and may be freely set aside at any time or simply allowed to expire after a year’s time. There is no vow taken or obligation made binding under pain of sin.  It is a bond of charity freely made and, though a serious commitment, one freely set aside if no longer desired or capable of being fulfilled. Where the Daughter wishes to continue with the work of spiritual motherhood in this way she may renew her year long pledge.

If you would like more information concerning the Daughters, please contact Fr. Michael: frmichael@pittsburghoratory.org.