The Society of the Oratory of Jesus (in French : Société de l'Oratoire de Jésus et de Marie Immaculée, in Latin : Congregatio Oratorii Iesu et Mariæ), also known as French Oratory, is a catholic Congregation founded in 1611 in Paris by Pierre de Bérulle (1575-1629). The French Oratory had a determinant influence on the French school of spirituality throughout the 17th Century. It must not be confused with the Oratory of St Philip Neri which is a distinct Society.
The aim of the Society is to center spiritual life under the human aspect of Jesus, linked to the essence of God. The French Oratory was very important in the matter of spiritual direction, as the Fathers of the congregation were confessors of influent people, as for example Charles de Condren with Gaston d'Orléans, King Louis XIII's brother, and were protected by the Court, especially Marie de Medici. They also were spiritual directors of numerous Carmelite convents. They challenged the Jesuits in France and founded elitist schools and colleges, such as college of Juilly in 1638.
The Society was disbanded in 1792 during the Revolution, and was restored in 1852 under Father Joseph Gratry's rule. The Oratorians were expelled in 1903 to Switzerland and came back in 1920.
In 2005 they were 58 (55 priests) in 8 houses.