Ah good, it has been made public at last, rumours have been buzzing around for sometime, now it has been made public, the Oxford Oratorians are taking over St Wilfrid's in York which is directly opposite York Minster.
Another rumour is that the large numbers who attended the LMS Pilgrimage was a strong influence in Bishop Drainey's decision. In 2011 700 pilgrims had to celebrate Mass in the Minster, when St Wilfrid's was unavailable, the following year, and I thin this the Bishop himself took part and attended in choro.
Therefore this is success not only for the Oratorians but also for the hard work of the LMS and others who show the strength of a more traditional approach to the faith in the North. When they evangelise amazing things happen, when they look inwards they can become somewhat, err...
A poignant comment on the end of this post
Interesting Ampleforth is withdrawing from so many parishes and the rather trad Oratorians are expanding, I pray they will be as successful in York as they were when they took over from the Jesuits in Oxford.
18 comments:
Excellent news.
Does this mean the LMS are going up North.A lot of people I speak to don't think it's far enough
Excellent news. Each Sung mass counts for a lot and saves souls. Bravo Oratorians. Brick by brick until they close us down again; then back to the catacombs and cemeteries to keep the Faith. Every single time each one of us attends the EF mass we contribute to the continuation of the Catholic Church. Not a negligible achievement.
Nickbris,
The Latin Mass Society has a presence in every diocese of the country. There is for example already a weekly Sunday Mass in York. Further north, the society is very active in the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese.
Poppy Tupper,
I understand that the Birmingham Oratory is making a recovery from some earlier difficulties. Don't forget that the Oxford Oratory was formed from the Birmingham Oratory.
Poppy, God has sent the Birmingham Oratory a small group of quite outstanding novice, our former MC is one of them.
I had an irate, down to earth northern parish priest telephone me last night. One of the first things he said was, 'I hate the Latin Mass', he then went on to berate me for having entitle this 'Oratorians takeover in York', he spent most of the time telling me I should have entitled it 'Catholicism Returns to York', illustrating it his point by various references to strange goings on in York, especially with reference to the disregard for the Blessed Sacrament.
Poppy, I have just seen your avatar and immediately removed your comment, not what we would want see here!
Hopefully but a first fruit of the Pilgrimage of Grace. If something is worth doing, it is worth doing SLOWLY!
Not to forget the fantastic Manchester Oratorians who are doing fantastic work , and to who's Mass I am travelling now !! Great news Father Ray !!
Fr Blake,
please be careful to avoid inadvertantly suggesting that St Wilfrid's has been ill-served by it's retiring Parish Priest, the kind and remarkable Fr. Michael Ryan, to whom I owe much for his personal kindness to me.
St. Wilfrid's is a thriving community already so the Oratorians, for whom I have much affection, will have a good community in their care.
I think it is worth pointing out that the Oratorians are not synonymous with the LMS and St. Wilfred's has not become an LMS parish.
Just as an aside , and off subject a tad , our opening hymn this morning at Manchester Oratory , was the great 'Faith of Our Fathers' .
My daughter (year 10) had her close of year Mass this week . They played 'I believe I can fly' and sang 'Shine Jesus shine' . Discuss ............
Good news! I live near enough to York to go there several times a year and have been to the last 2 LMS pilgrimages - so glad we impressed bishop Drainey in 2012 and indeed I was impressed that he attended and preached a good homily, given the not always complimentary things I've heard of him.
St Wilfrid's is a lovely church, not too messed about in the 1970s, but the Blessed Sacrament is difficult to locate when you first visit.
I look forward to seeing what the Oratorians do.
JohnH.
Hymns? not the Introit in Latin or the vernacular?
CLW,
My interlocutor was speaking about the whole city, not just one parish.
Not unless I missed it Father. The 'full' choir have dispersed for the summer. There were two tenors in the loft today. Gradual and Alleluia sung by them alone. Kyrie , Gloria , Sanctus and Agnus Dei sung by all - in Latin. 'Tis many moons since I sang these 4 without a choir !! And , of course , the Angelus to finish , which always sets me up for the week.No colours of days here !! Happy days indeed.
Actually the Oxford Oratory don't have chanted Propers either. They have an entrance hymn and the rest are either polyphonic or fauxbourdon. Surely Introits and Communios aren't that taxing for what appears to be a very proficient choir?
ebasmenSt Wilfred's is a church which I have known well in the past...and I do mean the distant past. I did my National Service in the RAF at Linton-on-Ouse and some of you will know just how long it is since anyone did National Service in the UK. I have always had a very deep affection for York, being Yorkshire born and bred. I always make a visit every time I am back in England. York itself has such a Catholic past.
I am delighted with your news.
Post a Comment