Welcome
Join us on Sundays for beautiful liturgy, thoughtful preaching,
and glorious singing.
8.30am Mattins (BCP 1662)
10am High Mass
Weekday Masses
6pm Wednesday
12.30pm Friday
Holy Days as announced.
The great “O”Antiphons
In the final days of Advent, special antiphons are sung or said before and after the Magnificat at Evening Prayer. These antiphons, known as the Great “O” antiphons begin on December 16th (in English usage from ancient times) and continue through December 23. The first seven are addressed to the Saviour, using some of his scriptural titles, and the eighth is addressed to the blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Add them to your daily office or just meditate on what they tell us about the coming Saviour.
O Sapientia
O Wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the most High, and reachest from one end to another, mightily, and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence. (December 16)
O Adonai
O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, who appeared in the Bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the law of Sinai: come and deliver us with an outstretched arm. (December 17)
O Radix Jesse
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the Gentiles shall seek; Come and deliver us, and tarry not. (December 18)
O Clavis David
O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openest, and no man shutteth, and shuttest, and no man openeth: Come and bring the prisoner out of the prison-house, and him that sitteth in darkness, and the shadow of death. (December 19)
O Oriens
O Day-spring, Brightness of light everlasting and Sun of rightesousness: Come and enlighten him that sitteth in darkness, and the shadow of death. (December 20)
O Rex gentium
O King of the nations, and their Desire, the Cornerstone, who makest both one: come and save mankind, whom thou formed of clay. (December 21)
O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, our King and Law-giver, the Desire of all nations, and their Salvation: Come and save us, O Lord our God. (December 22)
O Virgo virginum
O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? For neither before thee was any like thee, nor shall there be after. Daughters of Jerusalem, why marvel ye at me? The thing which ye behold is a divine mystery. (December 23)
Keep the Ember Days
The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after St Lucy’s day (December 13th) are Ember days. They are days of abstinence and also days to pray for our Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Here’s a prayer you can use:
“Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
