Novena for the canonization of Bl.Dominic Barberi

Today I have started the Novena requested by Archbishop Longley of Birmingham for the canonization of Bl. Dominic Barberi. Bl Dominic is most famous for his reception into the Church of Bl. John Henry Newman in 1845, but that was but one part of a remarkable ministry.

The Archbishop has designated Bl.Dominic as one of the patrons of the Year of Mercy in the Archdiocese and will celebrate Mass for the intention of the canonization at SS John and Paul, the Passionist church in Rome, on Saturday March 5th. 

There is more about it, and also about a relic of Bl Dominic in the form of a letter, on the website of the Oxford Ortaory and which can be seen at Novena for the Canonization of Blessed Dominic Barberi

Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form

This afternoon the Archbishop of Birmingham conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite on candidates at the Oxford Oratory. Not having attended a Confirmation in this Form previously I went along as an observer, and also to show my support for the confirmands on such an important occasion in their lives.

Before the Confirmation, His Grace catechised and prayed with the candidates in the Sacred Heart Chapel.

Nine candidates were confirmed, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament:

Afterwards there was a reception in the Parish Centre, with a splendidly and suitably decorated cake.

 

The Archbishop brought a splendid crosier, replete with baroque cherubs:

 

Images: Oxford Oratory

Oxford Oratory Silver Jubilee celebration

On Sunday September 27th the Oxford Oratory was delighted to welcome His Grace the Archbishop of Birmingham, and two of his assistants - Bishop William Kenney, C.P., the area bishop for this part of the diocese, and Bishop Robert Byrne, Cong. Orat., and many friends to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the arrival of the Oratorians in Oxford.

The Archbishop is received at the door of the church with a crucifix and holy water:

He processed to the Sacred Heart Chapel, where he prayed before the Blessed Sacrament:

A Solemn Pontifical Mass, in honour of Our Lady, Queen of the Oratory, was celebrated:

During the Mass Bishop Robert, the Founding Provost of the Oxford Oratory. preached, and his sermon can be read at  Bishop Robert Byrne's Sermon for the Twenty-fifth anniversary of the arrival of the Oratory in Oxford

After Mass, there was a fine party in the Parish Centre - something the parishioners are very good at organising:

A splendidly decorated cake was cut by the Archbishop - who expressed his admiration for the rosary in icing sugar - and said he did not want to be photographed cutting a rosary! :

The anniversary cake was a great success and very good to eat

A parishioner catches the camera's eye; the Clever Boy was caught on the right

Photographs by Hannah Chegwyn.

Images: Oxford Oratory website

This was a wonderful occasion upon which to give thanks for all that has been achieved by the Fathers of the Oratory over a quarter of a century. This is to be found in the sacramental and spiritual life of the parish, the pastoral care and the liturgical round  as well as in the restoration of the church building and the development of the parish centre.

Oxford Corpus Christi Procession

His Grace the Archbishop of Birmingham came to Oxford to lead the Corpus Christi Procession yesterday, which attracted great crowds in a wonderful witness to our love of the Blessed Sacrament and was a tremendous sign of unity among the different parishes, religious houses and institutions of Oxford. 

I have based this post on that on the Oxford Oratory website, with afew additional comments. The occasion was indeed splendid, and , having been suffering from arthritis in one leg recently, i was delighted to be able to walk the entire procession.

The participants gather:

The marshals are briefed -n the basis of "No show without Punch" I once more donned a luminous yellow safety jacket...:

The Franciscans prepare to carry the canopy:

The Procession leaves the Oratory church:

 

The Archbishop carries the Blessed Sacrament through St Giles':

This year we were unable to go into Blackfriars as the church is closed for repairs, so we carried on straight to the University Chaplaincy. The Dean, Fr John Hancock, carried the Monstrance from Blackfriars to Queen Street:

Along St Michael's Street:

and into New Inn Hall Street:

The Procession passes through the district of St Ebbe's - here it is crossing Queen Street:

Fr Dushan Croos, S.J., Chaplain to the University, carried the Blessed Sacrament for the last stage of the Procession:

We had a rousing accompaniment from the Witney Town Band, conducted as is usual on this occasions by Dr Gerard Hyland, one of the the leading authorities on Pugin:

Fr Dominic played the organ as the Blessed Sacrament was brought into the Newman Room at the Chaplaincy:

The Very Rev. Fr John O' Connor, O.P., Prior of Blackfriars, preached powerfully about the abiding presence of the Eucharist, and how we carried our Lord through the streets so that He might bless all the people of our city:

 

His Grace gave Benediction:

 After Benediction we sang the Salve Regina and then concluded with "Faith of our Fathers":

A welcome cup of tea at the Chaplaincy after Benediction:

Images: courtesy of Hannah Chegwyn and Br Joseph Bailham, O.P.