Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Monday 8 June 2015

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:

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

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The Franciscans prepare to carry the canopy:

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The Procession leaves the Oratory church:

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The Archbishop carries the Blessed Sacrament through St Giles':

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Monstrance

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:


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Along St Michael's Street:

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and into New Inn Hall Street:

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

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

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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:

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

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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:

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His Grace gave Benediction:

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

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A welcome cup of tea at the Chaplaincy after Benediction:

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


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