Thirty-five of our young adults gathered for their first Oratory meeting of 2020. After discussion, talks and the Oratory prayers they finished the meeting in the Royal Oak. Next month’s meeting for Catholics between 18 and 35-ish will be on 14th February at 7:30pm #oxfordoratory
‘You are salt — tu sal es.’ Bl. Juvenal of the Oratory greets St Francis de Sales with a pun. The old ones are the best. Or maybe not… #oxfordoratory
Congratulations to Anthony, received into Full Communion with the Church on the feast of St Antony. #oxfordoratory
Ready for Solemn Benediction in honour of St Joseph Vaz tonight. St Joseph was a priest of the Oratory in Goa who went to preach the Gospel in modern day Sri Lanka. His work was accompanied by a great number of miracles, including the miraculous rain shower through his prayers that put an end to a severe drought (he stayed dry!) and telling off a herd of stampeding elephants. #oxfordoratory
The Parish Choir in full voice at the 9:30 Mass this morning, singing “Laudate nomen Domini” by Christopher Tye. #oxfordoratory
5 IN EPIPHANIA DOMINI Solemn Mass 11:00
Missa In simplicitate Langlais
Magi viderunt stellam Victoria
Magi videntes stellam Clemens
6 IN EPIPHANIA DOMINI Solemn Mass 18:00
Missa O magnum mysterium Victoria
Ab Oriente venerunt Magi Handl
Magi viderunt stellam Victoria
12 IN BAPTISMATE DOMINI Solemn Mass 11:00
Missa Amar donna Lassus
Tribus miraculis Palestrina
Ave verum Byrd
19 DOMINICA II PER ANNUM Solemn Mass 11:00
Missa brevis Palestrina
Dextera Domini Lassus
Regem natum Handl
26 DOMINICA III PER ANNUM Solemn Mass 11:00
Missa Aeterna Christi munera Palestrina
Alma redemptoris Mater Guerrero
Adorate Deum Isaac
“When a profound silence covered all things and night was in the middle of its course, your all-powerful Word, O Lord, bounded from heaven’s royal throne.” (Wis. 18:14–15) #oxfordoratory
Congratulations to our Director of Music, Matthew Martin, who has been appointed Precentor and Director of College Music at Gonville & Caius, Cambridge, starting April this year. Matthew will step down as Director of Music here at the beginning of February as he prepares to move to Cambridge. The Fathers and Brothers would like to thank Matthew for his hard work during his time at the Oratory, which has raised our music to a truly outstanding quality. In this past year, Matthew has reintroduced the sung Gregorian propers of the Mass, while maintaining a solid repertoire of sacred polyphony and continuing to build the Oratory’s reputation for excellence in liturgical music. We wish him every success in his new position.
During February and March, we look forward to welcoming Thomas Wilson, who will serve as our acting Director of Music. Thomas is currently Director of Music as St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, and will be returning to the UK on sabbatical, where he has previously served as Assistant Organist and then Precentor of Westminster Cathedral.
Our Assistant Organist, Rory Moules, will continue to support the provision of liturgical music. Rory has been with us since September 2019, when the position of Assistant Organist was created thanks to the generous donation of a benefactor. Rory is also the Associate Organist at Magdalen College, and has previously worked as Director of Music at Corpus Christi College.
Seven years ago the Sisters of the Bl Virgin Mary were received into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Oratory. It’s become our custom to celebrate the anniversary with them on this their patronal feast. This morning three of the Fathers travelled to Birmingham to do just that, celebrating Mass and enjoying a fraternal visit. Happy New Year, Sisters! #sbvm #oxfordoratory
