About SS. Philomena and Cecilia Oratory [Latin] · Brookville, Indiana
The Oratory of Saints Philomena and Cecilia is a Latin-rite Catholic parish in Oak Forest — a rural community now within Brookville, Franklin County, Indiana — that serves as the only parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis where the Traditional Latin Mass and all the sacraments are offered on a daily basis. Staffed by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) with the approval of the Archbishop of Indianapolis, the parish celebrates every Mass and sacrament according to the 1962 Roman Missal and liturgical books. With a stated founding in 1844 and a small, devoted flock of roughly 45–100 families, it draws Catholics from across southeastern Indiana who desire the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.
- Established
- 1844
- Patron
- Saints Philomena and Cecilia (St. Philomena, virgin and martyr; St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr, patroness of musicians)
- Rector
- Rev. Howard Remski, FSSP (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
This oratory is the only parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis where the Traditional Latin Mass and sacraments are offered on a daily basis, all according to the 1962 Roman Missal and liturgical books. With two Sunday Masses (a Low Mass and a Sung Mass), daily weekday Masses, and confessions offered 30 minutes before each Mass, it provides a full traditional liturgical life for faithful Catholics and visitors. Staffed by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, it combines the heritage of a parish founded in 1844 with the FSSP's international apostolate of the classical Roman Rite.
Mass times at SS. Philomena and Cecilia Oratory [Latin]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:30–7:50 AM (30 minutes before 8:00 AM Mass)
- Sunday 10:00–10:20 AM (30 minutes before 10:30 AM Mass)
- Wednesday 11:30–11:50 AM (30 minutes before noon Mass)
- Friday 6:00–6:20 PM (30 minutes before Mass)
- Confession is offered 30 minutes before every Mass unless otherwise noted
Welcome to the Oratory
The Oratory of Saints Philomena and Cecilia is a Traditional Latin Mass apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter located in Oak Forest, a small rural community within Brookville in Franklin County, Indiana. The oratory operates with the approval and blessing of the Archbishop of Indianapolis and serves Catholics in southeastern Indiana seeking the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite celebrated with reverence every day of the week. The parish website — www.latinmassbrookville.com — carries the weekly bulletin, current Mass and confession times, contact information, and links to the FSSP apostolate page.
- Founded 1844 in Franklin County
- Staffed by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP)
- All sacraments celebrated in the 1962 Roman Rite
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis, parish listing #114
The Sacraments at the Oratory
Every sacrament administered at the oratory is celebrated in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, in accordance with the liturgical books of 1962. The parish information page lists each sacrament together with the practical instructions for requesting it.
- Penance — 30 minutes before each Mass
- Baptism — for infants and adults; contact the rectory
- Confirmation — arrange at least six months in advance; celebrated in the 1962 Roman Rite
- First Holy Communion — celebrated in the 1962 Roman Rite
- Matrimony — contact the rectory; celebrated in the 1962 Roman Rite
- Extreme Unction (Anointing of the Sick) — contact the rectory
- Convert Instructions — program for adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church
Our Patrons: Saints Philomena and Cecilia
The oratory carries a double dedication to two virgin martyrs of the early Church. Saint Philomena was a young Christian whose relics were discovered in the Roman catacombs in 1802; she is honored as patron of infants, babies, and youth, and her feast is kept on August 11. Saint Cecilia, a 3rd-century Roman martyr, is the universally known patroness of musicians and is commemorated each year on November 22. Together they give the oratory its name and shape its devotional identity.
- St. Philomena — virgin and martyr; feast day August 11
- St. Cecilia — virgin and martyr, patroness of musicians; feast day November 22
Heritage and Building
The parish was founded in 1844 in Franklin County, Indiana, and the present church building was erected in the 1870s. A 1906 photograph held by the Indiana Album collection — showing a priest leaving the church in a horse-drawn buggy — documents the building's appearance in the early twentieth century and is preserved by the Indiana State Library. The modest rural structure, located at 16194 St. Mary's Road (State Road 229), has a stated seating capacity of 200.
- Parish founded 1844 in Franklin County
- Current church built in the 1870s
- Documented in a 1906 photograph (Indiana Album)
- Church capacity: 200
Clergy
The oratory is served by priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. The current Administrator is Fr. Howard Remski, FSSP, assisted by Fr. Joseph Orlowski, FSSP. Earlier directories list Fr. Gerald Saguto, FSSP and Fr. Mark Wojdelski, FSSP as priests previously serving the apostolate.
- Rev. Howard Remski, FSSP — Administrator
- Rev. Joseph Orlowski, FSSP — Assistant Administrator
- Historically served by Fr. Gerald Saguto, FSSP and Fr. Mark Wojdelski, FSSP
A Distinctive Apostolate in the Archdiocese
The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter lists Brookville as one of its apostolates across North America. According to the FSSP's own apostolate page, the Oratory of Saints Philomena and Cecilia is the only parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis where the Traditional Latin Mass and sacraments are offered on a daily basis, with all of the sacraments celebrated according to the Missal and liturgical books in force in 1962. The apostolate's motto, drawn from Psalm 4, is 'Sacrificate sacrificium justitiae, et sperate in Domino' — 'Offer the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord.'
- Only daily-TLM parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Affiliated with the FSSP North American district
- Motto: 'Sacrificate sacrificium justitiae, et sperate in Domino'
Bulletin
The oratory publishes a weekly bulletin identifying itself as 'An Apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Brookville, Indiana.' The bulletin is posted on the parish website and carries current announcements, Mass intentions, and FSSP news.
- Title: Oratory of Saints Philomena and Cecilia Weekly Bulletin
- Available via the parish website
Visit and Contact
Visitors are warmly welcomed at the oratory. The rectory mailing address is 16194 St. Mary's Road, Brookville, IN 47012; the parish phone line is (765) 647-0310, and email correspondence may be directed to [email protected]. Travelers coming from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis area typically route to State Road 229 and then follow St. Mary's Road to the church in Oak Forest.
- Address: 16194 St. Mary's Road, Brookville, IN 47012-8838
- Phone: (765) 647-0310
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.latinmassbrookville.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Howard Remski, FSSP
Current Administrator
- Rev. Joseph Orlowski, FSSP
Current Assistant Administrator
- Rev. Gerald Saguto, FSSP
Listed as priest in earlier directory (latinmassschedule.com)
- Rev. Mark Wojdelski, FSSP
Listed as priest in earlier directory (latinmassschedule.com)