Canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman
We are delighted to announce that Pope Francis today signed the decree approving the miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed John Henry Newman, the founder of the English Oratory. This opens the way to his canonisation later in the year. Below is a press release from the Birmingham Oratory giving details of the miracle.
Bishop Robert appointed as new Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle
The Fathers and Brothers of the York Oratory in Formation are delighted that our own Bishop Robert has been appointed as Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle by Pope Francis. It will be a great pleasure to have him as a near neighbour in Newcastle and look forward to welcoming him here whenever his duties allow. Meanwhile he is assured of all our prayers. Here is the report from the Catholic Herald.
Candlemas
The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple - or Candlemas - is an important feast for the Oratory as it is the anniversary of the establishment of the Oratory in England at Birmingham in 1848. We will have a Sung English Mass with the Blessing of Candles and a Procession, followed by prayers to Our Lady of York. After Mass there will be a party in the Oratory House.
Christmas Service Times at St Wilfrid's and St Joseph's
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE AT ST WILFRID’S
Tuesday, 18 December, 7.30pm
MASSES AT ST JOSEPH’S
Monday, 24 December, Christmas Eve
Mass at 5.00pm with Carols and Blessing of the Crib
Tuesday, 25 December, Christmas Day
Mass at 9.30am with Carols
Wednesday, 26 December, St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day)
No Mass
MASSES AT ST WILFRID’S
Monday, 24 December, Christmas Eve
6.30pm Family Mass, Children's Procession to the Crib and Blessing of the Crib
11.15pm Carols and Readings followed by Midnight Sung Latin High Mass
Tuesday, 25 December, Christmas Day
8.30am Mass with Carols
10.30am Mass with Carols
4pm Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Prayers at the Crib
Wednesday, 26 December, St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day)
Mass at 12.10pm
Thursday 27 to Monday 31 December Masses as usual in St Wilfrid’s and St Joseph’s but there will be no Exposition or Confessions before Masses and no Vespers or Benediction on Sunday, 30 December.
Tuesday, 1 January
No Mass at St Joseph’s. Mass at 12.10pm in St Wilfrid’s
Catholicism & the Arts
On Hallowed Grounds? Understanding Church Architecture in the Medieval Period
5:30pm, Upper Room, St. Wilfrid's York, Thursday, 6 December
Dr Elizabeth Biggs (York): Faith and a New Cloister in Westminster Palace on the Eve of the Reformation
Dr Karl Kinsella (Oxford): Reading the Medieval Church: Liturgical Commentaries and Architecture
Service of Nine Lessons & Carols
There will be a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols with choir pieces and congregational singing on Tuesday, 18 December at 7:30pm in St Wilfrid's Church. The Carol Service wil be followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There will be a retiring collection to help with the music expenses at St Wilfrid's.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Saturday, 8 December is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. There will be a High Mass in the Extraordinary Form at 12 noon.
Catholicism and the Arts
There are two interesting sessions coming up on Politics, Faith and Literary Catholicism and on Church Architecture in the next few months. Details on the Catholicism and the Arts Blog.