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!
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
- 5:40 pm – 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
- 7:30 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
- 5:40 pm – 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 and Triduum Horarium 2025
PASSION SUNDAY – APRIL 13
- 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 - Solemn Vespers
-
7:30 PM - Compline with Procession
MONDAY - WEDNESDAY – APRIL 14-16
- 6:30 AM - Office of Readings & Lauds
- 5:00 PM - Mass
- 5:40 PM - Vespers
- 7:15 PM - Compline
- 7:30 PM - Adoration
HOLY THURSDAY – APRIL 17
- 6:30 AM - Tenebrae
- No Vespers*
- 7:30 PM - The Lord's Supper
- 9:00 PM - Adoration until Midnight
- 11:30 PM - Sermo Domini
- Compline in Private
GOOD FRIDAY – APRIL 18
- 7:30 AM - Tenebrae
- No Vespers*
- 7:30 PM - The Passion of the Lord
- Compline in private
HOLY SATURDAY – APRIL 19
- 7:30 AM - Tenebrae
- 5:30 PM - Vespers
- 8:30 PM - Easter Vigil
- No Compline** or Adoration
EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 20
- 8:45 AM - Lauds***
- 9:30 AM - Mass
- 4:30 PM - Solemn Vespers
- Compline in private
EASTER MONDAY – APRIL 21
- 7:30 AM - Office of Readings & Lauds
- 5:00 PM - Mass
- 5:40 PM - Vespers
- 7:15 PM - Compline
- 7:30 PM - Adoration
* Evening Prayer is said only by those who do not participate in the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper or in the celebration of the Lord’s Passion.
** Night Prayer is said only by those who do not participate in the Easter Vigil.
*** The Easter Vigil takes the place of the Office of Readings.
Photos of St. Albert Priory
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.
Take a Look
