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, 26 May 2014

First Vespers of St Philip at the Oxford Oratory


Yesterday evening at the Oxford Oratory we had Solemn First Vespers of the Solemnity of St Philip. This was, as always on such occasions, a very splendid celebration, and one that was properly prayerful and devout. I have copied the photographs from the Oratory website and added some captions.

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 St Philip's Altar with the relic bust of the saint.
The painting is a copy of Gido Reni's famous image, and was painted by Maria Giberne, one of Newman's penitents, and comes from the Birmingham Oratory.

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The Provost, Fr Daniel Seward, presides at Vespers

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The Cantors, Fr Dominic and Br Oliver, bow during the doxology

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Acolytes and some of those in Choir
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The Sanctuary during Vespers

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The statue of St Philip

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The incensation of St Philip's Altar and relic

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Regular members of the Oratory congregation - the Solemn Vespers had an particularly good attendance

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Preparing for Benediction

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 The Provost blesses a member of the congregation with a relic of St Philip

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The Oxford Oratory has a young and devout congregation

Images: Oxford Oratory

The photographer was a new recruit to taking photos on such an occasion and has done splendidly - I suspect they have got themselves a new role at the Oratory.



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