St. Albert's Priory

The House of Studies

The Priory of St. Albert the Great is the house of studies and initial formation for young men who have come to discern their vocation as Dominican friars in the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Following in the footsteps of Saint Dominic de Guzman, these men learn what it means to be contemplative preachers, united by our faith in Jesus Christ and our vows as consecrated religious.

Help us train the next generation of Dominicans!

SUPPORT ST. ALBERT'S PRIORY

Following in the footsteps of St. Dominic, our 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).

Academics (Sep - May)

Sunday

8:30 am – Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
9:30 am – Mass
4:25 pm – Adoration with Benediction
5:30 pm – Evening Prayer
7:30 pm – Night Prayer

Monday-Friday

6:30 am – Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
11:35 am – Rosary
11:50 am – Day Prayer
5:00 pm – Mass with Evening Prayer
7:15 pm – Night Prayer
7:30 pm – Adoration

Saturday

7:30 am – Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
8:15 am – Mass
11:35 am – Rosary
11:50 am – Day Prayer
4:45 pm – Adoration
5:30 pm – Evening Prayer
7:15 pm – Night Prayer

Summer (Jun - Aug)

Sunday

8:30 am – Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
9:30 am – Mass
5:30 pm – Evening Prayer
7:15 pm – Night Prayer

Monday-Friday

7:30 am – Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
5:00 pm – Mass with Evening Prayer
7:15 pm – Night Prayer

Saturday

7:30 am – Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
8:15 am – Mass
5:30 pm – Evening Prayer
7:15 pm – Night Prayer

NOTE: During the Summer there will be no Exposition/Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Feasts & National Holidays

7:30 am – Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
8:15 am – Mass
5:30 pm – Evening Prayer

NOTE: Subject to change according to circumstances

Founded by Saint Dominic de Guzman

Located in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, the Priory of Saint Albert the Great is a house of formation for young men who have come to discern their vocation as consecrated religious, following the unique charism of the Order of Preachers, founded by Saint Dominic de Guzman. Seeking a life of both contemplation and active ministry, we live in community and are united by our faith in Jesus Christ and our vows to live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Saint Albert’s is located on five acres, once known as Rose Lawn Park. Raymond and Winifred Perry purchased the land in the early 1900s and built Brookhurst mansion. In 1927 the estate was passed on to the Perry’s daughter, Aloha. In 1931 she sold it to Eva de Sabla, acting on behalf of the Western Dominican Province, for $65,000. That same year the Dominican curia in Rome granted permission to establish a priory on the grounds, under the patronage of Saint Albert the Great, a thirteenth century Dominican preacher, scientist, philosopher, and theologian. He is called “the Great” because he was proficient in every branch of learning cultivated in his day.

Forming Young Friars

The priory was founded in 1932, following the Dominican tradition of forming young friars in a city priory near a major university. The refectory was built in 1934, the chapel in 1940, and the southern and western wings were completed by 1951.

Friars with a variety of ministries live at St. Albert’s. Some are involved in ministry to the community itself, as Prior (our elected superior), treasurer, or even handyman. Others teach at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, while others are part of our itinerant preaching team. And, of course, there are the men in formation – an eight year process which includes a year of intense discernment at our novitiate in San Francisco, two years of study of philosophy, a year of pastoral ministry in one of the communities in our Province, followed by four years of theological studies.

HOLY WEEK 2023

Passion Sunday – April 2

8:30 AM Office of Readings & Lauds
9:30 AM Blessing of Palms & Mass
4:25 PM Adoration/5:15 PM Benediction
5:30 PM Vespers
7:30 PM Compline with Procession

Monday-Wednesday – April 3-5

6:30 AM Office of Readings/Lauds
11:35 AM Rosary/Midday (Optional)
5:00 PM Mass with Vespers
7:15 PM Compline
7:30 PM Adoration (Optional)

Holy Thursday – April 6

6:30 AM Tenebrae
11:35 AM Rosary/Midday (Optional)
7:30 PM The Lord’s Supper
9:00 PM – 12:00 AM Adoration
11:30 PM Sermo Domini (Optional)
Compline in private

Good Friday – April 7

7:30 AM Tenebrae
11:35 AM Rosary/Midday (Optional)
3:00 PM Stations of the Cross (Optional)
7:30 PM The Passion of the Lord
Compline in private

Holy Saturday – April 8

7:30 AM Tenebrae
11:35 AM Rosary/Midday (Optional)
5:30 Vespers
8:30 PM Easter Vigil
No Compline

Easter Sunday – April 9

8:45 AM Lauds
9:30 AM Mass
4:30 PM Vespers
Compline in private
No Adoration

Easter Monday – April 10

7:30 AM Matins & Lauds
11:35 AM Rosary & Midday Prayer (Optional)
5:00 PM Vespers & Mass
7:15 PM Compline
7:30 PM Adoration (Optional)

A Great Location for Your Organization's Event or Retreat

St. Albert's is located in Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, CA. It has very convenient access to the freeways and the BART (Rockridge Station). The Priory is built on five acres in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, CA. There are some peaceful trails located along Temescal Creek.

St. Albert Priory serves primarily as the House of Formation for Dominican friars studying for the priesthood at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, and serves as their home. The Priory maintains a monastic schedule and cloister.

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Support the Friars of St. Albert's

St. Albert Priory is the house of studies for the Western Dominican Province. As such, it’s the heart and soul of our Dominican province. Your support helps train the next generation of Dominicans, care for our elderly friars and protect this treasured landmark.