On 15th September 25 parishioners, along with Fr Joseph and Br Benedict, joined the English Oratories’ pilgrimage to Walsingham.

After a picnic lunch on the grass at the Catholic National Shrine, and a Solemn High Mass in the Chapel of the Reconciliation, all 150 or so pilgrims walked in procession along the ‘Pilgrim Mile’ to the site of the original Holy House in the Abbey grounds. This was a wonderful opportunity to pray for our community at the feet of Our Lady of Walsingham, and to enjoy a little of the peace and tranquility of England’s Nazareth. We hope that many more can join us next year. Keep an eye out for details of the pilgrimage in 2019.

From 27th September until 4th October the eleventh General Congress of the Oratorian Confederation was held in Rome. Our house was represented by Fr Daniel, Fr Richard and Br Adam.

The Delegates spent a great deal of time in prayer together:

Discussions and elections were held in the Aula of the Pontifical College Mater Ecclesiae:

The Fathers at dinner:

The delegates had the task of electing new officials of the Confederation. Fr Marco Guillen of the Toronto Oratory was elected as the Delegate of the Holy See (Visitor). Fr Michele Nicolis of the Verona Oratory was elected as Procurator General, and Fr Mauro De Gioia of the Genoa Oratory was re-elected as Postulator General. Here, from left to right, are Fathers Nicolis, Guillen and De Gioia:

Here are the members of the new Permanent Deputation:

Here are Br Adam, Fr Visitor, Fr Richard and Fr Daniel:

At the end of the Congresso there was a Solemn Mass, celebrated by Fr Visitor at the Chiesa Nuova, in the presence of three Oratorian bishops: Mons. Edoardo Cerrato, Mons. Mario Aviles and Mons. Robert Byrne.

Many old friendships in the Oratorian world were renewed and some new ones made. The Flammae Cordis Sisters are a new form of life within the Church: Members of the Secular Oratory in Rome, who have become consecrated women.

The Flammae Cordis are inspired by the burning heart of St. Philip to live in imitation of St Philip’s Oratorian community life, made up of prayer, community life, work and oratory.   They work in the world – as doctors, teachers, civil engineers, etc – but wear a habit as a visible witness to the Gospel, seeking to be like little flames that flow from the Heart of the Bridegroom to reach others, through friendship and ‘Heart speaking to heart”.

Here is Fr Daniel with the Flammae Cordis at the Roman Oratory:

Twenty-five parishioners from Oxford and York went with Frs Daniel and Richard to the shrines of various saints in Italy in September.

In Rome we celebrated Mass near the tomb of St Peter:

We were also able to offer Mass at the tomb of our Holy Father St Philip at the Chiesa Nuova:

This year is the Jubilee Year of St Aloysius – the 450th since his birth, and so one particular goal of our pilgrimage was to venerate him.

The altar where St Aloysius is enshrined in the church of Sant’Ignazio:

Some of us went across the roof of the Roman College to see the rooms in which St Aloysius lived:

A painting showing Aloysius picking up a dying man from the street:

There was also time to enjoy la dolce vita:

In Cascia, we venerated St Rita, the patroness of hopeless cases.

The monks of Norcia, the birthplace of SS Benedict and Scholastica, had their monastery destroyed by the earthquake in 2016, along with all thirteen churches of Norcia. The monks have moved up into the hills above the city, where they have constructed a simple, wooden monastery and sleep in a dormitory. Our coach had some difficulty reaching the remote spot up the hill, and we had to clamber up the last approach – but we got there:

Our pilgrims were deeply moved by the Solemn Mass for St Matthew’s Day.

With the Prior of Norcia, Fr Benedict:

Spot the donkey:

In Assisi we prayed at the tombs of St Francis and St Clare.

Here is some of the group in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli:

We were also able to celebrate Mass at Isola del Gran Sasso at the shrine of the Passionist St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows – patron of our noviciate. This is the second most-visited shrine in Italy.  Here is the altar of the San Gabriele in the old basilica.

The doors of the new basilica:

Finally, we visited the Holy House of Loreto, the place where the Incarnation took place:

As a way for the schools of the Archdiocese of Birmingham to participate in Adoremus, His Grace the Archbishop asked that all the schools throughout the diocese have a time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament last Tuesday, at the same time as His Grace was doing the same in his own chapel. Here are the children of St Aloysius’ School taking part in this moment of adoration, united with our Archbishop:

Somewhere on the picture below are the pilgrims who went up from Oxford with Fr Daniel to the Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool yesterday:

After Solemn Mass in the Cathedral, celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, the Blessed Sacrament was carried out for the Procession through the streets of Liverpool, over a magnificent carpet of flowers, provided by the diocese of Arundel and Brighton:

The procession was somewhat wet. See here Bishop Robert Byrne, Cong. Orat. (the chief organizer of Adoremus), Archbishop Bernard Longley (Archbishop of Birmingham), and Archbishop Edward Adams (Apostolic Nuncio) all enjoying the rain of Merseyside:

Singing in the Rain:

The Blessed Sacrament passes through the streets under cover of a canopy:

The crowds at Benediction on the steps of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral:

On Saturday 8th September, Our Lady’s Birthday, Br Benedict was made an acolyte.

The acolyte is one of the two ministries which prepare a man for the sacrament of Holy Orders. By it Br Benedict is given a special service of the altar. The new acolyte is given a ciborium containing the bread for the Eucharist as a sign of his service. 

The St Aloysius’ School PTA has been working very hard to raise money for our new climbing frame, and during the summer it was installed in the playground.

This afternoon, the climbing frame was officially inaugurated, and Fr Oliver blessed it.

Quality control of the monkey bars:

“He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” Genesis 28.12

Last week, we ran our first ever Young Oratory Summer Programme. Over three days, we looked at what makes music, art and architecture sacred. Each day we had time for reading, discussion and prayer. There was a daily sung Mass, with the proper antiphons for each feast sung to Gregorian Chant learnt by the young people on the first day. On day two, we focused on sacred art, which included looking at works in the Ashmolean Museum, and painting our own icons. Our third day, on sacred architecture, included visits to the chapel in Campion Hall and Blackfriars Church, as well as exploring some of the details of our own church.

We plan to run another Summer Programme next year for a full week. In the meantime, weekly Young Oratory meetings begin again on Tuesday 11 September from 5pm.

Earlier this summer, our Scout Troop set off walking to the sea via the New Forest. The first day started with a jump in the minibus to Stanford in the Vale, and a walk from there to the first campsite near to the White Horse at Uffington.

The White Horse can just be seen in the distance from the campsite.

Day 2 was spent exploring White Horse Hill and its surroundings.

A slightly wet start on day 3 meant that morning prayers and Mass were held in the tent. Then we explored Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral.

By day 4 we had reached the New Forest, but were slowed down by heavy rain. There was plenty of time to plan routes through the New Forest though.

On day 5 we began walking through the New Forest, and didn’t use the minibus again until we had reached the sea.

We were able to celebrate Mass in some stunning outdoor locations.

Day 8: the sea!

20 – 22 August 2018

A three day programme of activities and prayer for
 ages 11–16, with daily Mass, field trips and lunch. 
Sessions run from 9:30am to 5pm each day.

Monday 20 August
Sacred Music

Tuesday 21 August
Sacred Art includes visit to Ashmolean Museum

Wednesday 22 August
Sacred Architecture includes tour of Oxford buildings

Forms available here and in Porters’ Lodge. 
Please return forms by Friday 17 August. Suggested donation: £30.