We invoke the intercession and protection of Our Lady of Oxford during these days of uncertainty and worry. May she protect all in our city, especially the most vulnerable. We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin. #oxfordoratory
While some precautions are in place, the Oratory is open and Masses and prayers are at the usual times. At the end of each Mass we kneel together and pray for God’s protection and Our Lady’s intercession for us all at this time. Let’s try and remember the words of Padre Pio, “Pray, hope and don’t worry,” remembering especially to look out for the elderly and those self-isolating. #oxfordoratory
If you are displaying any cold or flu symptoms, please refrain from attending Mass and other events at the Oratory. We would also advise those most vulnerable (the elderly, those with weakened immune-systems and long-term conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease) to refrain from coming to church. In such cases there is no obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sundays.
For the time being:
As the coronavirus spread has worsened in our country, the Bishops have produced guidance for parishes, schools and Catholic organisations. This guidance will be revised as the situation changes.
It is paramount that everyone maintains good hygiene at Mass, other services and parish gatherings. Please make sure that you regularly wash your hands with soap and water or sanitising gel, and avoid touching common surfaces.
The NHS advises “catch it, bin it, kill it”:
The holy water stoups in the church have been emptied. Holy water is available from a container at the back of the back of church for personal use.
Hymn books, mass books and cards will not be made available as these can transmit the virus. Please take the newsletters home with you and do not return them as you leave the church. The 9:30 Sunday Mass will be a said Mass for the time being.
The Sign of Peace is suspended for the time being. The Sunday collection plates will not be passed around the church. The collection will be taken as you leave. Please consider switching from cash to online donations, using the standing order forms provided.
If you are displaying any cold or flu symptoms, please refrain from attending Mass and other events at the Oratory. We would also advise those most vulnerable (the elderly, those with weakened immune-systems and long-term conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease) to refrain from coming to church. In such cases there is no obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sundays.
For those who are able, fulfilling your Sunday obligation (which is a Precept of the Church) means attending Holy Mass, not receiving Holy Communion.
The Fathers will be very careful in distributing Holy Communion and will take extra measures to sanitise their hands. If you are concerned about the hygienic aspects of receiving Sacramental Communion, you can always make a Spiritual Communion. In Spiritual Communion, we express our fervent desire to receive our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and to be united with Him. The Church teaches that if you are in a State of Grace and make a Spiritual Communion, you will receive all the fruits of the Sacrament.
There are currently no changes to scheduled Masses, except that there will be no music at the 9:30 Sunday Mass for the time being.
Cafe Neri and the Wednesday Morning Group are suspended for the time being.
All other talks and groups will continue as scheduled. In the event that we are required to cancel these, updates will be published here and on our website.
We are reciting the following prayer after all Masses. For full updates on how Coronavirus might affect Masses, see our website.
A prayer in time of sickness
I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord forever.
Let us pray.
O God, our refuge in trials, our strength in sickness, our comfort in sorrow, spare your people, we pray, that, though rightly chastised now by affliction, they may find relief at last through your loving mercy. Remember your people, O Lord, and grant them your help, that, freed from every evil, they may serve you with all their heart and ever stand firm under your protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
We fly to thy protection, O holy Mother of God: despise not our petitions in our necessities; but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God:
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Defend, O Lord, we beseech you, by the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, this your family from all adversity; and mercifully protect us, who prostrate ourselves before you with all our hearts, from the snares of the enemy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. #oxfordoratory
1 QUADRAGESIMAE I Solemn Mass 11:00
Missa Inter vestibulum Guerrero
Scapulis suis Palestrina
In ieuinio et fletu Tallis
8 QUADRAGESIMAE II Solemn Mass 11:00
Mass for five voices Byrd
Ne irascaris Domine Byrd
Civitas sancti tui Byrd
15 QUADRAGESIMAE III Solemn Mass 11:00
Missa quarti toni Victoria
Ne reminiscaris Domine Philips
Super flumina Babylonis Palestrina
22 QUADRAGESIMAE IV Solemn Mass 11:00
Mass in G Schubert
Salvator mundi Blow
O salutaris hostia in F Elgar
25 IN ANNUNTIATIONE B.M.V. Solemn Mass 18:00
Missa Ave maris stella Victoria
Ave Maria à 4 Victoria
Ne timeas Maria Victoria
29 QUADRAGESIMAE V Solemn Mass 11:00
Missa Emendemus in melius Palestrina
Media vita in morte sumus Manchicourt
Videns Dominus flentes sorores Lazari Byrd
We pray the Stations of the Cross together every Friday during Lent at 5:30pm. The beautiful carved alabaster stations were given to the church by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus when they moved out of their old convent, which is now the site of Linacre College. #oxfordoratory
A full house for today’s fascinating talk on the Shroud of Turin. If you missed out, there’s still plenty of time to see the exhibition in church before it leaves on 13 March. Next week Fr John Hunwicke will continue our Lenten talks with ‘Devotion to the Five Wounds’ at 11am. #oxfordoratory
Today we welcomed an exhibition on the Shroud of Turin to our church for the next two weeks. This amazing exhibition includes a life-sized replica of the shroud. The first of our Lent talks this Saturday at 11:00 will be on the mystery of the Shroud so don’t miss it. Cafe Neri will be open from 10:30, so we look forward to welcoming you. #oxfordoratory
“Turn to the Lord again, for he is all gentleness and compassion.” Masses for Ash Wednesday continue at 10:00am, 12:15pm, & the High Mass at 6:00pm. #oxfordoratory