Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Monday 14 December 2015

Opening the Holy Door at the Oxford Oratory


Yesterday at the 11 am Mass at the Oxford Oratory Bishop William Kenney, C.P. formally opened the Holy Door there - it is one of several churches and places of pilgrimage in the diocese that have been designated as such for the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

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The Mass began at the back of church (a seasonal drizzle preventing us from all being outside) with the call to repentance and to experience God's infinite mercy.

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The Bishop blessed the door.
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Bishop Kenney then opened the door and passed through it, followed by the servers and clergy.

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The people were sprinkled with Holy Water during the Asperges.

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After Mass, the faithful had the opportunity to pass through the Holy Door, so as to gain the Plenary Indulgence.
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During the Year of Mercy, the Holy Door will be open before all Sunday Masses, and there will be a procession through it at the weekly Saturday ten o'clock Pilgrimage Mass, in honour of Our Lady of Oxford, Mother of Mercy.

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Photographs by Hannah Chegwyn

Images:Oxford Oratory website


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