The Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Port Elizabeth is a member of the world wide Confederation of the Oratories of St. Philip Neri. The process for its foundation began in December 2002 when some Fathers and Brothers, formely of the Oudtshoorn Oratory, moved to Port Elizabeth with the intention of establishing a second Congregation of the Oratory for South Africa. The Port Elizabeth Oratory was canonically established by the Holy See on 12 May 2008 and a celebration was held on 15 August, presided over by the Papal Nuncio to South Africa, Rt. Rev.  Archbishop James Patrick Green, J.C.D., to commemorate the establishment. Since arriving in Port Elizabeth the Oratory has, in service to the Parish of St Bernadette's, other apostolates, and also in its fraternal affairs, strived to carry out its vocational motto often repeated by the founder of the Oratory, St  Philip Neri: "Serve the Lord with gladness" (Ps 100:2)