Oxford Oratory Church of St Aloysius Gonzaga — Attraction in Oxford

The Oxford Oratory Church of St Aloysius Gonzaga (or Oxford Oratory for short) is the Catholic parish church for the centre of Oxford, England. It is located at 25 Woodstock Road, next to Somerville College. The church is served by the Congregation of the Oratory. St Aloysius' was founded as the Jesuit (Society of Jesus) parish of central Oxford. Completed in 1875, the building of St Aloysius' was an important step in the ongoing refoundation of a Roman Catholic presence in Oxford. The parish was served by notable members of the society for many years, including Gerard Manley Hopkins (December 1878 – September 1879). The church also housed a notable collection of relics bequeathed by Hartwell de la Garde Grissell, many of which were destroyed in the 1970s. In the 1980s, the Jesuits left the church and the parish was taken over by the Archdiocese of Birmingham. In 1990, the Archbishop of Birmingham invited members of the Birmingham Oratory to take over the running of the parish and found a new Oratorian community in Oxford. Two priests from Birmingham arrived in September 1990 and, in 1993, the Oxford Oratory was established as an independent Congregation. Fr Robert Byrne then served as provost from 1993 to 2011. From 2011 to 2019, Fr Daniel Seward served as provost.[2] The incumbent is the Very Rev. Fr Nicholas...

An inspirational & holy place in which to encounter Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Have spent much time there particularly in the revamped chapels dedicated to the Sacred Heart & Our Lady praying the Divine Office, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet & various other litanies & devotions. Attending Mass there is an edifying opportunity to worship The Most Holy Trinity & I written many of my best diary entries there. Going to Confession early Saturday evening after the Godless madness of consumerism is a huge Grace & Blessing especially because Exposition is on then. The Oratory Fathers & Brothers are a fine body of Traditionally minded Roman Catholic Priests who take their pastoral duties very seriously & who it is an honour to count as friends. I have made many friends in Christ at this...

If you appreciate Mass as it was practiced in the old, original very traditional monastic ways, then this is the real deal. And the eleven o'clock Latin Mass is supreme.

But then, everything in Oxford is a little on the exclusive, superficial side of life ... if you know what I mean. I have personally seen poor fellow human beings sleep overnight on the pavements between St Aloysius and the Black Friar's wrapped in ragged flimsy coverings in wintry December - and in only a couple of days leading to Christmas! Of course, as good people do, some bring hot Starbucks drinks.... and...