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.


Saturday, 15 August 2020

New Altar at the Oxford Oratory


I recently posted Preparations for consecrating an altar about the work in anticipation of the actual consecration of the new altar in the Sacred Heart chapel at the Oxford Oratory. Yesterday the altar was consecrated by Bishop Robert, the founding Provost of the Oratory and now Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

The Oratory website has a picture of the first celebration of Mass at it this morning:

Image: Oxford Oratory

The altar and its tabernacle are  great enhancement of the chapel which will in time be redecorated.

The statue of the Sacred Heart dates from the building and initial furnishing of the church in 1875. Together with its companion statue of the Virgin and Child it is of south German or Austrian provenance and they are identical in design to a pair at Belmont Abbey.

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