About Mystical Rose Oratory · Honolulu, Hawaii
Mystical Rose Oratory is a Catholic oratory located on the Kalaepohaku campus in Honolulu's Kaimuki neighborhood, serving as the spiritual home of Chaminade University of Honolulu, Saint Louis School, and the Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi. It was designated an oratory in 1991 by the ordinary of the Diocese of Honolulu and has since kept its own sacramental records, distinguishing it from a regular chapel. Although it is not a parish church and does not offer every service a parish would, it functions much like one for the campus and surrounding community, hosting Sunday Eucharistic liturgies, the RCIA program, and special Marianist celebrations. The name 'Mystical Rose' is one of the traditional titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Established
- 1991
- Patron
- Mystical Rose (a traditional title of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. George Cerniglia, S.M. (Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu
Why belong here
Mystical Rose Oratory is a welcoming Catholic oratory that reaches well beyond a typical parish: it is the spiritual home of the Chaminade University campus, Saint Louis School, and the Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi, and it opens its Sunday liturgies to people of all faiths from the surrounding Kaimuki neighborhood. Worshippers can join a Sunday morning Mass followed by refreshments and fellowship, an Aloha Sunday potluck on the first Sunday of the month, and a birthday blessing with cake on the last Sunday — simple rhythms that make it easy to belong. Students and adults journeying toward full communion come together through the RCIA program, and the oratory livestreams its 10:00 a.m. Mass on Facebook for those unable to attend in person.
Mass times at Mystical Rose Oratory
Weekly Mass schedule
About Mystical Rose Oratory
Mystical Rose Oratory is the spiritual home and campus chapel for Chaminade University, the Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi, and Saint Louis School. Originally used as the main chapel for the Marianist communities on campus, it has since been designated an oratory — a step that gives it the right to keep its own sacramental records, even though it is not a parish church. The Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi coordinates use of the space between Chaminade and Saint Louis School. The oratory welcomes people of all faiths to Sunday Mass and serves neighbors in the Kaimuki area as well as the campus community.
- Designated an oratory in 1991
- Located at 3140 Waiʻalae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
- Part of the Kalaepohaku campus shared with Chaminade University and Saint Louis School
What is an Oratory?
The word oratory comes from the Latin 'orare,' meaning to pray. Chapels and oratories are both buildings set aside for prayer, worship, and the reception of the sacraments, and the terms are often used interchangeably. In a technical sense, however, they differ: the sacraments of initiation — baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist — along with matrimony, are normally recorded in parish churches. The 'oratory' designation, granted by the ordinary of the local church, gives a chapel like Mystical Rose that same right to keep its own sacramental records.
- Before 1991: sacraments were recorded at St. Patrick's Church across the street
- After 1991: Mystical Rose has kept its own sacramental records
- Holds the rights and privileges of a parish church but does not offer the same range of services as a parish
History of the Kalaepohaku Campus
The Marianist story in Hawaiʻi began in 1883, when brothers arrived from Dayton, Ohio, and opened the College of St. Louis as an elementary school on the west bank of the Nuʻuanu Stream. The school added a high school in 1914, outgrew its original location, and in 1923 purchased 207 acres in Kaimuki. Brother Eiben laid out the campus plan and the first four buildings were completed in 1928; the science building (now Newell Hall) also opened that year. During World War II, the campus was leased to the U.S. Army for use as a hospital.
- Chaminade University started as a junior college in 1955 and became a four-year school in 1957
- St. Louis elementary school was phased out between 1950 and 1957
- Today the campus houses St. Louis High School, Chaminade University, and Mystical Rose Oratory
Sacraments
Since its 1991 designation as an oratory, Mystical Rose has been able to record the sacraments celebrated on campus. The oratory administers the sacraments of initiation — baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist — as well as matrimony. Because it is not a parish church, the staff still recommend that individuals normally receive these sacraments at their home parish. The R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program is offered to students of both Chaminade and Saint Louis School.
- Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (sacraments of initiation)
- Matrimony
- RCIA — eight-month program running September through Easter
- Home parish recommended for sacraments outside the campus community
Campus Ministry & RCIA
Campus Ministry at Chaminade University invites all students — regardless of religious tradition — to explore their connection with the Divine and improve their spiritual health while building community and serving others. Rooted in Catholic faith and Marianist spirituality, the office fosters a vibrant spirit of faith, service, and belonging through meaningful retreats and events. The RCIA program is an eight-month journey of weekly meetings, regular worship at the Sunday Mass, participation in community service, and the Awakening retreat — culminating in the Easter Vigil, when catechumens are received into full communion with the Church.
- Danny O'Regan — Director, Campus Ministry
- Rev. George Cerniglia, S.M. — Chaplain
- Bro. Brandon K. Alana, S.M. — Pastoral Minister
- Maimoa Fineisaloi — Minister for Peace and Justice
Community Life & Fellowship
Sunday Mass at Mystical Rose Oratory is followed by light refreshments and coffee, making it easy to meet the campus and Kaimuki community after worship. Two recurring monthly traditions punctuate the year: an Aloha Sunday potluck on the first Sunday of the month, and a Birthday Blessing with cake on the last Sunday of the month. These small, consistent rhythms — along with special Founders' Day, alumni reunion, and Easter Vigil liturgies — make the oratory feel like a true spiritual home, especially for students far from their own parishes.
- Coffee and refreshments after Sunday Mass
- Aloha Sunday potluck (1st Sunday)
- Birthday Blessing and cake (last Sunday)
- Founders' Day Mass, alumni reunions, and other annual celebrations
Contact & Visiting
Mystical Rose Oratory is at 3140 Waiʻalae Avenue on the Kalaepohaku campus, easily reached from the surrounding Kaimuki neighborhood and across the street from St. Patrick's Church. The main campus ministry line is (808) 440-4226 and the general email is [email protected]. Scheduling of events in the oratory itself is handled by Bro. Dennis Schmitz, S.M. of the Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi at (808) 735-4801. Visitors are encouraged to check the campus ministry Mass Times page for special liturgies and any schedule changes throughout the year.
- Phone: (808) 440-4226
- Email: [email protected]
- Event scheduling: Bro. Dennis Schmitz, S.M. — (808) 735-4801
- Website: https://cuhministry.com/liturgy-and-worship/mro/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George Cerniglia, S.M.long-tenured chaplain; celebrated his Diamond Jubilee (60 years) of religious profession in May 2018
Has presided over weddings, the Easter Vigil, Founders' Day Mass, alumni reunion Masses, and many other liturgies at Mystical Rose Oratory. Remains listed as chaplain on the campus ministry staff directory.