A brief guide to the Divine Office
The monks of the community principally come to Oxford to study, and so our liturgical routine is modified to support this. This means it is simpler than in our “home communities”. Largely, we follow the Roman Office, and normally pray in English. All are welcome to join us for any of the Office or for Mass. Booklets for guests are available in the Chapel for all Offices and Mass.
The Offices are as follows:
Morning Prayer:
This combines the monastic hours of Matins and Lauds. Matins is a reflective office, with psalms and long readings from scripture and the Fathers of the Church, which has its origin in the night “vigils” of the monastic tradition. Lauds is a more “festive” office celebrating the Resurrection and asking God’s blessing on the new day with psalms and prayers.
Mass:
The Eucharist is celebrated daily. The celebration is in English, but the Ordinary (Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei etc.) is normally sung in Latin. There is a small regular congregation, a little larger on Sundays, and on Sundays there is a homily. All are welcome, but we do ask that only Roman Catholics receive Holy Communion. All are welcome to come for a blessing.
Evening Prayer:
This is an office of thanksgiving for the day, the equivalent of Evensong in other College Chapels. Vespers is sung in English each day.
Compline:
Sung Night Prayer is the simplest and most attractive of the Offices. It is the same each day, asking for God’s protection during the night.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:
As we continue to operate under provisional Covid-safe regulations, we are reviewing when Exposition will be each week.
Other services also take place in the chapel on an occasional basis.