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.


Sunday, 4 January 2026

The Eyes of Our Mind


The latest online letter from the FSSP includes an excellent article by Fr William Rock FSSP, whose work I have shared in the past. It is about the traditional Proper Preface for the Nativity and Candlemas, and also used traditionally on Corpus Christi and the Transfiguration until 1962, and since then is available as an alternative.

The article looks at the particular phrase “the eyes of our mind”, and looks at its recurring use through the Patristic ages and through to St Thomas Aquinas in the thirteenth century. Fr Rock then proceeds to elucidate the phrase. That done the appositeness of the wording for the Christmas and Candlemas season and for corpus, Christie and for the Transfiguration becomes clear.

The article can be seen at The Eyes of Our Mind

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