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.


Wednesday, 4 November 2015

A new Acolyte at the Oxford Oratory


At the High Mass last Sunday, the Solemnity of All Saints, Br Oliver Craddock was instituted as an Acolyte at the Oxford Oratory by the Provost, Fr Daniel Seward.

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The acolytate is one of the 'ministries', formerly called 'minor orders', on the way to the priesthood. Anciently, the acolyte carried candles and tapers for the liturgy, and took a fragment of the Pope's Host to Masses elsewhere in the City of Rome. This state is one that reminds us of the holiness of the liturgy therefore.

The candidate is called forward:

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He is blessed:

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He is handed the ciborium, containing the bread which will be offered at the Mass, as a sign of his service of the altar:

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He assists the Deacon in preparing the altar:

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He washes the Celebrant's hands:

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The elevation of the Chalice:

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The Ecce Agnus Dei:

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Holy Communion:

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The recessional of the Mass:

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Photographs by Hannah Chegwyn.

Images and text(adapted) : Oxford Oratory website 

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