Celebrating the Dedication of the Priory

Each year on 20 May, the Dominican community celebrates the anniversary of the consecration of the Priory Church. The community arrived back in 1921, seven hundred years after the first Dominicans arrived in Oxford on 15 August 1221. It took eight years to rebuild the priory, and on Friday 17 May 1929, the community of student brothers and lectors (teachers) from the studium in Hawkesyard arrived at the priory.

As soon as the brothers arrived, preparations were made for the consecration of the church, and Masses were said in the library and Chapter Room until the church was consecrated. Vespers of Pentecost were said at 6pm in the Chapter Room followed by a solemn entry into the Church. The prior provincial, Fr Bede Jarrett, OP,  addressed the community and instated Fr Bernard Delaney, OP, as the first prior.

The next day, Pentecost, the relics were placed in each of the Altars in the church and Bishop Felix Couturier, OP, bishop of Alexandria in Ontario, Canada, arrived to consecrate the church, along with representatives of local European provinces.

On Whit Monday (Monday in the Octave of Pentecost) the church was consecrated. The day began with Prime and Terce at 7.30am with the Solemn Mass of Consecration beginning at 8.30am, the famous Fr Victor White, OP, acting as Subdeacon. After the consecration ceremonies, Fr Bede Jarrett, OP, sang the first Mass in the priory church. During the refreshments afterwards tours were offered of the priory, the otherwise strict enclosure not beginning until the Tuesday evening. The house chronicler describes the scene;

Until Tuesday evening visitors of both sexes were freely admitted to all parts of the house and church, and many availed themselves of the opportunity of inspecting the domestic arrangement of a monastic institution.

Celebrations continued with the arrival of the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Bourne for the Mass of reopening. Bishop Felix Coutourier, OP, sang the Mass with Cardinal Bourne presiding from the throne and the homily preached by Archbishop Alban Goodier, SJ, Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay.

All are welcome to join the friars as we celebrate this special day with Masses at 7.30am and 6.15pm, and Lauds at 7.30am, Midday Office at 1.05pm, and Vespers at 6.45pm.