Blackfriars, Oxford

10/05/2026

This Thursday, 14th of May, is Ascension Thursday, a holy day of obligation. There will be a 6pm Vigil Mass (on Wed 13th), and Masses at 7:30am (live-streamed Sung Conventual Mass); 12:05pm, and 6pm.

10/05/2026

20/04/2026

You may notice a few more friars around the Priory over the next few days. This is why! Please pray for our brothers gathered for the 'Interchapter'.

10/04/2026

Tomorrow, Sat 11th April, join the Holy Father in praying for peace: Pope Leo has invited all men and women of good will to join him in a prayer vigil for peace this at 5pm UK time.

The vigil will take place in St Peter's in Rome but a livestream will be available through Vatican Media here:
https://www.comunicazione.va/en/servizi/live.html
Watch and pray with the Holy Father, or pray the Rosary at the same time in your homes and churches.

📣 The Holy Father Leo XIV renewed his invitation to all the faithful to join with him in a moment of prayer for 🕊, to be held in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Saturday 11 April 2026, at 18.00.📍

👉 The Vigil will be presided over by the Holy Father, and will be open to the participation of all the faithful.

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/04/08/260408e.html

05/04/2026

From the Prior and community at Blackfriars, Oxford: A happy and holy Easter to all our friends, benefactors, and supporters. May the light of Christ risen from the dead dispel the darkness, and bring you the peace which the world cannot give.
Christ is risen, alleluia!

04/04/2026

Between Good Friday and Easter:
"Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity."
– from an ancient Homily for Easter Saturday, in which Christ addresses Adam.

31/03/2026

Join us tonight at 7:15pm for a service of reflections in words and music for Holy Week.

12/03/2026

The service times for this year's Holy Week and Easter Octave are now up on our website:

“These, then, are the feasts of Passover, in which is slain the Lamb, the one true Lamb, whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers.” (The Easter Proclamation)   Liturgies marked...

05/03/2026

The community welcomed Bishop Richard Walker, Auxiliary bishop of our local Archdiocese of Birmingham for an informal visit to Blackfriars on Tuesday 3 March. The bishop joined us for Midday Office, had lunch with the Dominican Sisters, representatives of the lay Dominicans and the friars, and then attended a lecture on Fundamental Theology. He then had tea with the House Council before presiding at the Conventual Mass and then dinner with the Dominican community. Let us pray for our bishops as they shepherd the flock of Christ entrusted to them.

02/03/2026

Reflection from fr Olivier who recently completed his sabbatical with us in Blackfriars. Let us pray for peace, justice, and stability in the Middle East.

As war intensifies in the Middle East, Dominican friar Fr. Olivier Catel, OP, reflects on Jerusalem as a “city of peace.” In this conversation, the École Bib...