THE ORATORY MEMORIAL GARDEN

The Oratory Memorial Garden is located on the grounds of the Rock Hill Oratory. It was created to provide a simple, natural place for the remains of those who choose cremation. The Memorial Garden is nestled among the mature azaleas and dogwoods between Newman Hall and the Church of Our Lady and Saint Philip Neri. It is a place of quiet beauty where one can come to remember those who are buried and also to reflect on one's own life, death and resurrection in Jesus Christ.

The Garden is a raised circular bed covered with periwinkle and enclosed in a fieldstone wall. The stone wall creates a natural bench, encouraging people to stop and rest. Behind the raised bed is a large stone, holding individual bronze plaques. For a small cost, families may choose to have the name of the deceased engraved on a plaque. Burial is free of charge. The Garden is available to anyone. A representative of the Oratory will be present at all burials in the Garden. The ashes of the deceased are buried and the container will be kept by the family.For more information please call Br. Joe Guyon, C.O. at 803-327-2097 or email your question to rockhilloratory@gmail.com

Bishop Thomas Gumbleton visits the Oratory

Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit visited the Oratory and Winthrop University on Sunday and Monday, March 7th and 8th. A luncheon was given at the Oratory on Monday afternoon. Here Bishop Gumbleton appears with faculty, staff and friends who attended the luncheon. Monday night the bishop speaks at Winthrop on the topic of "Transforming the World through Non-violence," co-sponsored by the Peace Studies Minor and Philosophy/Religion Department of Winthrop University.

The Oratory Iconography Retreat

From February 4th through the 8th, The Oratory hosted an Icon Writing Retreat directed by Father Damian Higgins-Ukrainian Rite. Twelve participants prayed, studied and learned the traditional method of Egg-Tempera Icon Writing/Painting. Here are the happy retreatants showing their finished icons.