It has been announced in this week's Catholic Herald that an Oratorian Priest, Fr Richard Duffield will be taking charge of the Church of St Wilfrid in York in October of this year. This development is not unexpected as rumours have been circulating for some time.
Fr Duffield, who is a native of York, is currently at the Oxford Oratory and was for a short period the provost of the Birmingham Oratory. It is expected that he will bring one or two priests with him to enable the erection of an Oratorian commonity based at St Wilfrid's. This is a process that is likely to take several months, or possibly years.
The Oratorians, founded by St Philip Neri, favour large city centre churches. In this respect, the church of St Wilfrid, which is almost opposite the west door of York Minster suits them very well. Another reason for choosing this church might be the very large presbytery that goes with it. This will allow a sizable community to develop in York.
Brompton Oratory in London's west end was founded in the middle of the 19th century by Fr Frederick Faber, who is best known for writing many hymns, including Faith of Our Fathers. At a similar time an even more famous priest, Fr (later Cardinal and now blessed) John Henry Newman, founded the Birmingham Oratory. The Oxford Oratory was later formed as a daughter house of the Birmingham Oratory and is now independent.
Much more recently, a group of priests has started the process of setting up an Oratory in Manchester, based at the church of St Chad. This church was briefly used by the Premonstretensians. The addition of York means that there will eventually be five Oratories in England.
The pleasing thing for the Latin Mass Society is that the Oratorians have a reputation for quality liturgy, including the use of Latin in both the ordinary and extraordinary forms of the Mass.
Fr Duffield, who is a native of York, is currently at the Oxford Oratory and was for a short period the provost of the Birmingham Oratory. It is expected that he will bring one or two priests with him to enable the erection of an Oratorian commonity based at St Wilfrid's. This is a process that is likely to take several months, or possibly years.
The Oratorians, founded by St Philip Neri, favour large city centre churches. In this respect, the church of St Wilfrid, which is almost opposite the west door of York Minster suits them very well. Another reason for choosing this church might be the very large presbytery that goes with it. This will allow a sizable community to develop in York.
Brompton Oratory in London's west end was founded in the middle of the 19th century by Fr Frederick Faber, who is best known for writing many hymns, including Faith of Our Fathers. At a similar time an even more famous priest, Fr (later Cardinal and now blessed) John Henry Newman, founded the Birmingham Oratory. The Oxford Oratory was later formed as a daughter house of the Birmingham Oratory and is now independent.
Much more recently, a group of priests has started the process of setting up an Oratory in Manchester, based at the church of St Chad. This church was briefly used by the Premonstretensians. The addition of York means that there will eventually be five Oratories in England.
The pleasing thing for the Latin Mass Society is that the Oratorians have a reputation for quality liturgy, including the use of Latin in both the ordinary and extraordinary forms of the Mass.
Deo Gratias.
ReplyDeleteWe all look forward to the first Mass at York.
ReplyDelete1st Mass 5pm Sunday 1 December 2013.