About St. Albert the Great Priory Chapel · Oakland, California
St. Albert the Great Priory Chapel in Oakland, California, is a Dominican friary and house of formation for young men discerning a vocation to the Order of Preachers. It follows the Dominican tradition of contemplative preaching and is located on five acres in the Rockridge neighborhood. The priory serves as the home and academic base for friars studying at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, maintaining a monastic schedule and cloister. It hosts Dominican Rite Masses and daily liturgical prayer, including the Divine Office, and offers spiritual and academic formation for future priests.
- Established
- 1932
- Patron
- Saint Albert the Great
Why belong here
Join a community dedicated to forming future Dominican friars through a rigorous eight-year process rooted in contemplative prayer, academic study, and pastoral ministry. Experience the Dominican charism of preaching and living the evangelical counsels, and participate in daily liturgical prayer, including the Divine Office and Mass, in a cloistered, monastic setting.
Mass times at St. Albert the Great Priory Chapel
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- 4:25 pm
- 4:45 pm
- 7:30 pm
History & Mission
Founded in 1932 under the patronage of Saint Albert the Great, the priory was established on land originally purchased in the early 1900s by Raymond and Winifred Perry, later sold in 1931 to Eva de Sabla on behalf of the Western Dominican Province. The refectory was built in 1934, the chapel in 1940, and the southern and western wings completed by 1951. The priory follows the Dominican tradition of forming friars near a major university and supports a community of friars engaged in teaching, preaching, and formation.
Ministries
- Holy Name Society
- Angelic Warfare
- West Rosary Confraternity
- St. Dominic Cemetery
- Dominican Mission Foundation
Prayer Schedule
The community gathers daily to pray the Divine Office and celebrate Mass. The faithful are invited to join the community for Mass and the chanting of the Divine Office, which includes the Office of Readings, Lauds (Morning Prayer), Midday Prayer, Vespers (Evening Prayer), and Compline (Night Prayer).
Formation
The priory is the house of studies and initial formation for young men who have come to discern their vocation as Dominican friars. The formation process includes a year of intense discernment at the novitiate in San Francisco, two years of philosophy, a year of pastoral ministry, followed by four years of theological studies.