Et Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis:

Et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre plenum gratiae et veritatis.

Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum dico, gaudete

The opening words of today's Introit say it all really, don't they?

Serving List for December 2008

Here is the Serving List for December 2008.

Sunday 7th December
9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Oliver McCarthy & Timothy Ashurst
11a.m. High Mass:
Anthony Jeffery; St Philip's School Servers
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers, Procession, and Benediction:
James Cross; Joel Coles; Jean Leger & Kristian Hamberg; (Additional Brothers will also be needed, robed, to carry the statue of Our Lady.)

Monday 8th December
Immaculate Conception
8a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Anthony Jeffery
6.30p.m. High Mass:
Fr. Rupert; James Cross; Michael Frost; James Godwin & Jean Leger

Sunday 14th December
9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Richard McCarthy & Joel Coles
11a.m. High Mass:
Oliver McCarthy; Pat Roberts; James Cross & Richard McCarthy
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Michael Tweedale; Joel Coles & Philip Benzinski

Monday 15th December
Blessed Anthony Grassi
6.30p.m. Solemn Benediction:
James Cross; Michael Frost; Jean Leger & James Godwin

Sunday 21st December
9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Anthony Jeffery & Boy Server
11a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; James Cross; James Godwin & Oliver McCarthy
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Richard McCarthy; Jean Leger & Kristian Hamberg

Wednesday 24th December
11.30p.m. Midnight High Mass:
Fr. Rupert; James Cross; Pat Roberts; James Godwin & Richard McCarthy; Oliver McCarthy & Kristian Hamberg

Thursday 25th December
Christmas Day
9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Timothy Ashurst & TBA
11a.m. High Mass:
Oliver McCarthy; Richard McCarthy; James Cross & Jean Leger

Sunday 28th December
9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Timothy Ashurst & Richard McCarthy
11a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; Oliver McCarthy; Jean Leger & James Godwin
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; Philip Benzinski & Richard McCarthy

Brothers' Winter Programme 2008 - 2009

Here is the programme from Advent Sunday 2008 to the end of January 2009.

Sunday 30th November
Advent Musical Oratory
Little Oratory; 4.30p.m. (Robes)
All Brothers are strongly urged to attend. The Musical Oratory will be followed at about 6p.m. by a reception in Saint Wilfrid's Hall for the Junior Choir, their parents, and others taking part in the Musical Oratory.

Sunday 7th December
Procession of Our Lady in honour of her Immaculate Conception
Oratory Church; ca. 4p.m. (Robes)
Brothers will be needed to carry the statue of Our Lady. There will, as is usual after processions, be no formal Exercises, so tea will follow immediately on from Benediction.

Monday 8th December
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Oratory Church; Mass at usual times
The High Mass will be sung, as is now the established custom, at 6.30p.m..

Monday 15th December
Blessed Anthony Grassi of the Fermo Oratory
Oratory Church; Mass at usual times; Solemn Benediction at 6.30p.m.

Monday 22nd December
Annual Carol Service and Benediction
Oratory Church; 7.30p.m. (Robes)
Brothers will be needed to act as Ushers, and should come to Oratory House as close to 7p.m. as possible so as to be ready in Church when the doors are opened.

Wednesday 24th December
Christmas Carols and Midnight Mass
Oratory Church; 11.30p.m. (Robes)
Brothers will be needed to assist with crowd control, and should come to Oratory House as close to 11p.m. as possible so as to be ready in Church when the doors are opened.

Thursday 25th December
Christmas Day
Oratory Church; Mass times as in notices; Solemn Benediction at 4p.m.

Friday 26th December
Saint Stephen, Protomartyr
Oratory Church; Mass times as in Notices

Saturday 27th December
Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist
Oratory Church; Mass at usual times

Sunday 28th December
Sunday within the Octave of Christmas (Holy Innocents' Day)
Little Oratory; 4.30p.m.
The Oratory Exercises will be given as usual.

Monday 29th December
Saint Thomas of Canterbury
Oratory Church; Mass at usual times

Thursday 1st January
Octave Day of Christmas
Oratory Church; Mass times as in Notices

Friday 16th January
Blessed Joseph Vaz of the Goa Oratory
Oratory Church; Mass at usual times; Solemn Benediction at 6.30p.m.

Friday 30th January
Blessed Sebastian Valfre of the Turin Oratory
Oratory Church; Mass at usual times; Solemn Benediction at 6.30p.m.
Blessed Sebastian's Altar was paid for by subscriptions from the Brothers of the Little Oratory at the time of its erection.

Serving List for November 2008

Here is the serving list for November 2008.

Sunday, 2nd November

9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Oliver McCarthy & James Godwin
11a.m. High Mass:
James Cross; Richard McCarthy; Joel Coles & Bernard Diver
3.3op.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Michael Tweedale; James Godwin & Kristian Hamberg

Monday, 3rd November (All Souls)

6.30p.m. High Mass:
Fr. Rupert & James Cross; Pat Roberts; Jean Leger & Richard McCarthy

Sunday, 9th November

9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass
Timothy Ashurst & Richard McCarthy
11a.m. High Mass:
Oliver McCarthy; Michael Frost; James Cross & Philip Benzinski
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Joel Coles; Jean Leger & Kristian Hamberg

Friday, 14th November (Departed Fathers & Brothers)

6p.m. High Mass:
Fr. Rupert & James Cross; James Godwin; Richard McCarthy & Jean Leger

Sunday, 16th November

9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Anthony Jeffery & Boy Server
11a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; Oliver McCarthy; Francis Carey & James Godwin
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Michael Frost; Philip Benzinski & Kristian Hamberg

Sunday, 23rd November

9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
James Cross & Richard McCarthy
11a.m. High Mass:
Anthony Jeffery; St. Philip's School Servers
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; Joel Coles & James Godwin

Sunday, 30th November

9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
James Godwin & Joel Coles
11a.m. High Mass:
James Cross; Joel Coles; Richard McCarthy & Jean Leger
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; James Godwin; Philip Benzinski & Michael Frost

October 2008 Serving LIst

Here is the Serving List for October 2008.

Sunday 5th October

9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Timothy Ashurst & Richard McCarthy
11a.m. High Mass:
Oliver McCarthy; James Godwin; Bernard Diver & James Cross
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Michael Tweedale; Richard McCarthy & Oliver McCarthy

Sunday 12th October

9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Oliver McCarthy & James Godwin
11a.m. High Mass:
James Cross; Francis Carey; Jean Leger & James Godwin
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; James Godwin; Philip Benzinski & Jean Leger

Monday 13th October (Saint Edward, King & Confessor)

6.30p.m. Solemn Bendiction:
James Cross; Joel Coles; James Godwin & Jean Leger

Sunday 19th October

9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Joel Coles & Timothy Ashurst
11a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; Pat Roberts; Philip Benzinski & Oliver McCarthy
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; Joel Coles & James Godwin

Sunday 26th October

9a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Anthony Jeffery & Richard McCarthy
11a.m. High Mass:
Oliver McCarthy; Richard McCarthy; Jean Leger & James Cross
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Joel Coles; Oliver McCarthy & Jean Leger

Organ Recital Series: Instructions for Ushers

The Recitals, on each Monday in October, start at 7.30p.m., so it would be helpful if those Brothers who have committed themselves to assisting could please be available, robed, as soon after 7p.m. as possible, but in any event not later than 7.15p.m., to assist with the distribution of programmes.

The ushers' most important function is, of course, the taking of the retiring collections, for which we will need two Brothers on each of the main doors, and one at the Duchess' Entrance.

Many thanks to all of you who have so readily offered your time for this.

Autumn Programme Covering Letter

The following is the text of the covering letter for the Autumn Programme sent by the Secretary and Rector to the Brothers:

Enclosed are the Autumn Programme for this year and various self-explanatory letters relating to Brothers' business, together with a list of the Officers for the coming year.
In future, all programmes, serving lists and other communications will, as well as being disseminated by hard copy as usual, be posted on the Brothers' Blog. If you would be happy to dispense with receiving hard copy communications and henceforth receive serving lists by e-mail and via the blog, and all other notices via the blog, please let us know, and this will save a considerable amount in postage. It is precisely because of the high cost of postage that this mailing is being sent out somewhat later than intended, in order to avoid the necessity of a second mailing within a short time of this one. There are obviously no plans to stop producing hard copy documents for those who wish to continue to receive them.

Brothers' Requiem and Dinner

The following is the text of a letter sent by the Rector to the Brothers with the Autumn Programme:

The Annual Requiem for departed Brothers will be sung this year by Fr. Prefect on Monday 17th November at 6.30p.m. in the Little Oratory. It will be followed, as usual, by the Annual Brothers' Dinner.
Dinner this year will be, as it has been on many occasions in the past, in a local restaurant. We have managed to arrange a particularly favourable price at Orsini, directly opposite the Little Oratory on Thurloe Place.
Given that the price must cover the costs of those invited at our expense, we have had to raise the ticket cost to £40 (to include a half bottle of wine) per head.
Space is somewhat limited, so we can only accommodate Brothers, the Provost, Father Prefect, Father Adjutor and those other members of the Community whoc take part in the ceremonies of the Mass, all of whom are invited as our guests.
There was a certain degree of tardiness in responding and providing payment last year. We need to have firm numbers and to have received payment by the close of Exercises on Sunday 26th October. No exceptions can or will be made this year, nor will reminders be issued.
Could you please let me know as soon as possible, and in any case by the above-mentioned date, whether you will be attending the Dinner, by returning the attached slip together with payment in full to me, c/o/ The Oratory? Please make cheques payable to The London Oratory Charity, and also indicate on the slip whether you have any special dietary requirements.

Oratory October Organ Recital Series

The following is the text of a letter sent by the Rector to the Brothers with the Autumn Programme:

This year's October Organ Recitals at the Oratory will commemorate the centenary of the birth of Olivier Messiaen, one of the most significant voices in twentieth century organ music.
As the organ, designed by Ralph Downes, at the Royal Festival Hall is currently out of action, the series is being given in conjunction with the South Bank Centre, and it is anticipated that there will be many more people attending the recitals than usual.
The Music Department have asked us to provide ushers for the series. We really need at least five people for each evening. Could you please let me know whether you will be able to assist at any of the concerts, which will be taking place every Monday in October at 7.30p.m., and which last about an hour each?
Many thanks for your co-operation.

Saint Wilfrid's Hall

The following is the text of a letter sent by Fr. Prefect to the Brothers with the Autumn Programme:

There has recently been a substantial increase in the number of Brothers seeking to make use, free of charge, of St. Wilfrid's Hall for private functions.
Circumstances have changed dramatically since the time when St. Wilfrid's Hall was built as the Brothers' Recreation Room, and the hire of both of the Halls now represents an important source of income for the Oratory. As a result of one recent free booking by a Brother, it was not possible to accommodate an external function which would have generated income.
We have therefore decided that, in future, any Brother wishing wishing to use St. Wilfrid's Hall for a private function may do so free of charge, subject to the limitations given below, except on Fridays and Saturdays, on which days he will have to pay the standard hire fee. Brothers may, at out discretion, continue to have free use of St. Wilfrid's Hall on other days, subject to each Brother's having one free booking per annum, after which he will have to pay half of the standard hire fee. It goes without saying that any free or cut-price bookings must be actually for the Brother in question, and not merely be made by him on behalf of his friends or family.
All enquiries relating to the use of the Hall by Brothers on the favourable weekday terms should be directed in the first instance, in writing only, to the Rector.

Brothers' Autumn Programme, 2008

Sunday 21st September
Little Oratory, 4.30p.m.
Congregation of Elections
Resumption of formal Oratory Exercises after summer break ad aquas.

Monday 29th September
Oratory Church, 6.30p.m.
Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
Solemn Benediction.

All Mondays in October
Oratory Church, 7.30p.m. (Robes)
October Organ Recital Series
Brothers are acting as Ushers.

Saturday 11th October
Cathedral Piazza, 1.45p.m. (Robes)
Rosary Crusade of Reparation
All Brothers are strongly urged to take part. The proession will reach the Oratory at about 3.30p.m., and the proceedings will close with Solemn Benediction at 4.30p.m., served by the Brothers.

Monday 13th October
Oratory Church, 6.30p.m.
Saint Edward, King & Confessor
Solemn Benediction.

Monday 3rd November
Oratory Church, 6.30p.m.
All Souls
High Mass.

Monday 17th November
Little Oratory, 6.30p.m.
Brothers' Annual Requiem and Dinner
High Mass followed by Dinner.

Saturday 22nd November
Usual Saturday Masses in Oratory Church
Saint Cecilia
Patroness of the Little Oratory.

Arrangements for Mass on 1st November and for the annual Requiem for Fathers and Brothers will be circulated as soon as we have them.

Officers for Year Commencing September 2008

The Officers for the coming year are as follows:

Rector:
Timothy Ashurst
Vice-Rector:
James Godwin
Treasurer:
James Godwin
Secretary:
James Cross
Head Sacristan:
James Cross
Sacristans:
Philip Benzinski
Thomas Spannring
Kristian Hamberg
Lectors:
Oliver McCarthy
Richard McCarthy
Joel Coles
Ceremoniere:
James Cross
Maestro di Cappella:
Timothy Ashurst
Maestri di Camera:
Paul Andrew (during term-time)
Joel Coles (outside term-time)
Oliver McCarthy (outside term-time)
Consultors:
Pat Roberts
Paul Andrew
Oliver McCarthy

Annual Requiem & Dinner

The Annual Requiem Mass for departed Brothers will be sung on Monday 17th November 2008 at 6.30p.m. in the Little Oratory. It will be followed by the Annual Dinner.

Resumption of Formal Exercises

Formal Exercises in the Little Oratory will recommence on Sunday 21st September 2008 at 4.30p.m. with the Congregation of Elections.

September 2008 Serving List

Here is the Serving List for September 2008.

7th September 2008

9a.m. Low Mass:
Richard McCarthy & Joel Coles
11a.m. High Mass:
Oliver McCarthy; Pat Roberts; Richard McCarthy & James Godwin
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Michael Tweedale; Jean Leger & Philip Benzinski

14th September 2008

9a.m. Low Mass:
Anthony Jeffery & Timothy Ashurst
11a.m. High Mass:
James Cross; Joel Coles; Philip Benzinski & Oliver McCarthy
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; Jean Leger & Joel Coles

21st September 2008

9a.m. Low Mass:
James Godwin & Oliver McCarthy
11a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; James Cross; Jean Leger & Joel Coles
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Joel Coles; Philip Benzinski & Oliver McCarthy

28th September 2008

9a.m. Low Mass:
Joel Coles & James Cross
11a.m. High Mass:
Anthony Jeffery & St. Philip's School Servers
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; James Godwin & Jean Leger

29th September 2008
6.30p.m. Solemn Benediction:
James Cross; James Godwin; Jean Leger & Richard McCarthy

August 2008 Serving List

Here is the serving list for August 2008.
Please note that there are now two servers at the Old Rite Mass on Sundays at 9a.m..

3rd August 2008
9a.m. Old Rite:
Timothy Ashurst & James Godwin
11a.m. High Mass:
James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; Joel Coles & Bernard Diver
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Michael Tweedale; Philip Benzinski & Oliver McCarthy

10th August 2008
9a.m. Old Rite:
Anthony Jeffery & Timothy Ashurst
11a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; James Cross; Oliver McCarthy & Philip Benzinski
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; James Godwin; Gregory Flash & Richard McCarthy

14th August 2008
5.30p.m. Solemn First Vespers of the Assumption & Benediction:
Fr. Rupert; Joel Coles; James Godwin & Philip Benzinski

15th August 2008
8a.m. Old Rite:
Timothy Ashurst
6.30p.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; Pat Roberts; Philip Benzinski & James Godwin

17th August 2008
9a.m. Old Rite:
Timothy Ashurst & Joel Coles
11a.m. High Mass:
Oliver McCarthy; James Godwin; Joel Coles & Jean Leger
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
Fr. Rupert; Oliver McCarthy; Jean Leger & Richard McCarthy

24th August 2008
9a.m. Old Rite:
James Godwin & Richard McCarthy
11a.m. High Mass:
James Cross; James Godwin; Francis Carey & Oliver McCarthy
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Joel Coles; Philip Benzinski & Richard McCarthy

31st August 2008
9a.m. Old Rite:
Oliver McCarthy & Timothy Ashurst
11a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; James Godwin; Jean Leger & Bernard Diver
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; James Godwin; Oliver McCarthy & Joel Coles

Current Serving List

We thought that it might be helpful to post the current serving list on the the blog. (The order is Ceremoniere, Thurifer and Acolytes.)

13th July 2008
9a.m. Old Rite:
Timothy Ashurst
11a.m. High Mass:
Fr. Rupert; Francis Carey; Philip Benzinski & Joel Coles
3.30p.m. Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; James Godwin; Richard McCarthy & Oliver McCarthy

20th July 2008
9a.m. Old Rite:
Gregory Flash
11a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; James Godwin; Oilver McCarthy & Jean Leger
3.30p.m. Vespers & Benediction:
Fr. Rupert; Oliver McCarthy; Joel Coles & Jean Leger

27th July 2008
9a.m. Old Rite:
Joel Coles
11a.m. High Mass:
Oliver McCarthy; Pat Roberts; James Godwin & Philip Benzinski
3.30p.m. Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Joel Coles; Oliver McCarthy & James Godwin

Triduo Devotions

Triduo Devotions this year will take place on Wednesday 21st May and Friday 23rd May at 6.30p.m., and on Sunday 25th May after Vespers, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and Benediction.

Walsingham Pilgrimage

The Walsingham Pilgrimage took place yesterday. Photographs will be available shortly.

Ascension (May 1st) and Corpus Christi (May 22nd)

There will be a Missa Cantata in the traditional rite on both of the above feasts, in the Little Oratory at 6.30p.m..

Feast of The Most Precious Blood

There will be a Missa Cantata in the Traditional Rite in the Little Oratory on Tuesday 1st July at 7p.m..
All Brothers are strongly urged to attend.

Walsingham Pilgrimage

The annual Walsingham Pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 26th April. The coach will leave from outside the V & A at 8.30a.m., and return at about 8p.m..
Mass will be celebrated in the Traditional Roman Rite, after which there will be a procession to the Abbey.
Tickets, costing £20 each, are available from Oratory House.
All Brothers are strongly urged to attend.

Change to Winter Programme

Please note that the procession in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes will now take place at 4p.m. on Sunday 10th of February, and not, as previously stated, on Sunday 17th February.