About St. Gianna Oratory (Masses in Latin) · Tucson, Arizona
St. Gianna Oratory is an apostolate of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in Tucson, Arizona, where the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, using the 1962 liturgical books of Blessed Pope John XXIII) is offered daily. The Oratory shares the historic Holy Family Church building at 338 W University Boulevard with Holy Family Parish, which celebrates the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) in English and Spanish. St. Gianna's was canonically erected on September 21, 2008, and is staffed by Canons of the Institute together with a lay music director and parish secretary, serving a community of traditional-Mass faithful — many of them young families and homeschooling Catholics — who come from across the Tucson area to worship in the classical Roman Liturgy.
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- St. Gianna Beretta Molla
- Rector
- Canon Jonathon Fehrenbacher (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
St. Gianna Oratory is the home of the Traditional Latin Mass in southern Arizona, celebrated daily in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite with Gregorian chant at the Solemn High Mass on Sundays. It is a young-family-friendly community known for drawing homeschooling Catholics and faithful who love the classical Roman Liturgy, supported by daily confessions, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, robust Children's Catechism and Confirmation programs, RCIA, and the Sursum Corda young-adult fellowship. Worship takes place inside historic Holy Family Church, a Tucson landmark near Speedway & I-10 — a rare combination of venerable setting, traditional liturgy, and active parish life.
Mass times at St. Gianna Oratory (Masses in Latin)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:30am – 8:50am
- Sunday: 10:30am – 10:50am
- Monday: 5:00pm – 5:20pm
- Tuesday: 7:30am – 7:50am
- Wednesday: 7:30am – 7:50am
- Thursday: 5:05pm – 5:45pm
- Friday: 7:30am – 7:50am (First Friday: 5:05pm – 5:50pm)
- Saturday: 7:30am – 7:50am (First Saturday: 7:15am – 7:50am)
Adoration times
- Thursday: 5:30pm Eucharistic Adoration, followed by 6:00pm Low Mass
St. Gianna Oratory at a Glance
St. Gianna Oratory is an apostolate of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in Tucson, Arizona. It is the home of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Tucson, offering Mass daily in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite according to the 1962 liturgical books of Blessed Pope John XXIII. The Oratory shares the historic Holy Family Church building with Holy Family Parish.
- Located at 338 W University Blvd, Tucson AZ 85705 (Holy Family Church)
- Served by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
- Diocese of Tucson
- Canonical erection: September 21, 2008
Our History
St. Gianna Oratory was canonically erected on September 21, 2008, after Bishop Kicanas of Tucson invited the Institute of Christ the King to take over the Latin Mass community previously shepherded by Father Richard Rego. The Oratory worships inside Holy Family Church, the oldest parish within Tucson's city limits, a historic landmark founded a century ago by Carmelite Fathers who were martyred in Spain in 1936 and beatified in 2007. The parish marked its 15th Anniversary on September 24, 2023, with a Solemn Te Deum and parish potluck.
- Father Richard Rego (1934–2007): diocesan priest who drove 150 miles from Ajo to celebrate the Tridentine Mass; assigned to the St. Gianna Latin Mass Community in 2006.
- Bishop Kicanas invited the Institute of Christ the King into the Diocese of Tucson in 2007.
- Canon Richard P. von Menshengen served as the founding Rector from 2008 (celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination in July 2025).
- 15th Anniversary celebration: September 24, 2023 — Solemn Te Deum after the 10:30am High Mass, with potluck in the Basement Hall.
The Traditional Latin Mass
The Institute of Christ the King celebrates the classical Roman Liturgy — the 'Latin Mass' — in its traditional form according to the liturgical books promulgated in 1962 by Blessed Pope John XXIII. As the Institute teaches, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is like a diamond that needs a dignified, beautiful setting; truth, liturgy, and charity are integrated so that the celebration of the traditional liturgy becomes the highlight and climax of priestly and lay commitment. Sunday worship includes a Low Mass and a Solemn High Mass with Gregorian chant.
- Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (1962 books)
- Daily Low Mass plus Sunday Solemn High Mass with Gregorian chant
- Anointing of the Sick monthly for registered parishioners
Clergy & Staff
The Oratory is led by Canons of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, supported by a small lay staff handling administration, music, and safety.
- Canon Jonathon Fehrenbacher — Rector
- Canon Andrew Bredemann — Parochial Vicar
- Mrs. Teri Gauger — Oratory Secretary
- Mr. Matthew Lancaster — Music Director
- Mrs. Sandy Morrison — Safety Compliance Officer
Faith Formation
Children's Catechism and Confirmation preparation are central to parish life, with registration typically held in person in the Church Basement Hall in August each year.
- Children's Catechism (ages 5–12): 2 years of class beginning at age 5/6 for First Communion; Continuing Ed for ages 7–9 who have already received First Communion.
- Confirmation: 2 years of class starting at age 9/10; students must be at least 11 by June of their 2nd year.
- RCIA: weekly classes for adults seeking initiation into the Church.
- Inquiry into Teen Catechism available for families with older youth.
Sursum Corda — Young Adults (18–35)
Sursum Corda (Latin for 'Lift Up Your Hearts!') is a nationwide Institute of Christ the King initiative fostering the spiritual lives of Catholic adults aged 18–35. The Tucson chapter meets roughly once a month through the Liturgy, faith discussions guided by the Canons, fun activities, and charity work — open to all, single or married, including those considering a religious vocation.
- Monthly meetings at the Oratory
- Faith discussions, social activities, and charity work
- Open to single and married young adults 18–35
Sacraments & Devotions
Beyond the daily Mass and Confessions, the Oratory offers monthly Anointing of the Sick for registered parishioners and special liturgical events such as the Blessing of Herbs & Flowers on the Feast of the Assumption.
- Anointing of the Sick — once a month for registered parishioners
- First Holy Communion preparation via Children's Catechism
- Confirmation (two-year program)
- RCIA for adult initiation
- Assumption (Aug. 15) — Blessing of Herbs & Flowers
Parish Life, Music & Social Events
The Oratory draws many young families and homeschooling Catholics, with a Music Director (Mr. Matthew Lancaster) leading the sung liturgy — including Gregorian chant at the Sunday Solemn High Mass — and frequent parish gatherings in the Basement Hall. Highlights have included the 15th Anniversary Te Deum and potluck (September 2023), a Spiritual Conference and outing to Dave & Buster's, and pilgrimages such as 'O Beauty Ever Ancient, Ever New: A Tour of French Gothic Cathedrals with Sacred Music' (Sept. 29 – Oct. 9, 2027).
- Gregorian chant at the Sunday Solemn High Mass
- Altar server practices
- Parish potlucks and anniversary celebrations
- Young-adult retreats (e.g., Silent Retreat August 2026)
Visit & Contact
The Oratory welcomes visitors — especially those new to the Latin Mass, who are encouraged to attend a Solemn High Mass to experience Gregorian chant. Office hours are Wednesday and Friday 9:00am–4:00pm; note that the Oratory office is not at the church. The mailing address is c/o the Priory of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Church: 338 W University Blvd, Tucson AZ 85705 (Holy Family Church)
- Mailing: P.O. Box 87350, Tucson AZ 85754-7350 (Priory of Our Lady of Guadalupe)
- Phone: 520-883-4360
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Wednesday & Friday, 9:00am–4:00pm
- Flocknote email list: stgiannatucson.flocknote.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/saintgiannaoratory
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Richard Rego2006–2007
Diocesan priest and proponent of the Tridentine Mass who drove 150 miles from Ajo to celebrate the Latin Mass in Tucson; assigned by Bishop Kicanas to the St. Gianna Latin Mass Community in 2006; died 2007.
- Canon Richard P. von Menshengen2008–~2024
Founding Rector of St. Gianna Oratory following its canonical erection on September 21, 2008; celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood in July 2025.
- Canon Jonathon Fehrenbacher
Current Rector of St. Gianna Oratory.