First Christmas celebrations held at Diocese of Portland’s St. Joseph Oratory
This Christmas marked a significant milestone for the newly established St. Joseph Oratory in Portland, as it celebrated a Solemn High Latin Mass at Midnight according to the 1962 Roman Missal – the first celebration of its kind in the Diocese of Portland in more than 60 years.
Officially opened in the fall of 2025, St. Joseph Oratory represents the next chapter in the nearly 100-year history of St. Joseph Church in Portland’s Deering neighborhood. The Oratory serves as a vibrant spiritual center for diocesan ministries and a more permanent home for communities that have long worshiped without one.
The Oratory primarily serves Portland’s growing Latin Mass community, which draws nearly 300 worshippers each Sunday. In addition, St. Brigid School uses the church for weekly Mass and music classes, and the University of New England’s Campus Ministry hosts weekly Eucharistic adoration and confessions, as well as other activities. Use of the Oratory for a variety of diocesan ministries continues to develop.
Very Reverend Kyle Doustou, vicar general for the Diocese of Portland, serves as rector of St. Joseph Oratory and celebrates the Latin Mass there each Sunday in addition to his other diocesan responsibilities.
“For decades, ministries such as the Latin Mass have operated without a permanent home, often relying on borrowed or rented space,” said Fr. Doustou. “The Oratory now provides a dedicated place where faith and fellowship can take root and grow. This sacred building allows us to do more than celebrate Sunday Mass – it gives us the freedom to live fully the sacramental and evangelizing mission of the Church.”
Originally constructed between 1929 and 1931 in a 14th-century English Gothic style, St. Joseph’s stands as a testament to craftsmanship and faith. Recent diocesan restoration efforts have included masonry repairs, interior painting, lighting upgrades, refinished wood floors, and the installation of a new natural-gas heating system, ensuring the building remains safe, beautiful, and energy-efficient for generations to come.
“St. Joseph’s is more than a building,” Fr. Doustou added. “It is a home for ministry – a place where Catholic life can be lived, strengthened, and shared. We are grateful to welcome families, students, and the faithful into this sacred space.”
About St. Joseph Oratory
Located in Portland’s historic Deering neighborhood, St. Joseph Oratory is a diocesan initiative designed to support ministries not tied to a specific parish. The Oratory offers a full sacramental life, community events, and opportunities for spiritual growth. To learn more, visit https://stjosephoratoryme.org.
