Scenes of the Passion

Watch this fascinating talk on the 'Pasos' of Spanish Holy Week.

Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon King

Talking Heads covers the death of King David and the succession of his son Solomon. We will see the very same ritual in Westminster Abbey.

The site of the holy Temple

In the last chapter of II Samuel, David purchases a threshing floor, which will later be the site of the Temple in Jerusalem.

I vault over a wall

David surveys his life and gives thanks to the Lord, who has made his feet swifter than a gazelle.

Service Times for Holy Week 2023

Here are times of Masses, services, and confessions for Holy Week this year.

A Bad Hair Day

In this week's Talking Heads: Absalom is murdered in the heart of the forest, and David cries out in anguish at his son's death.

Wanted: Director of Music

The Fathers and Brothers of the York Oratory seek to appoint a Director of Music.

Music for March

Music at the Oratory for March 2023

Our Lent Project

This year's Lent Project helps to fund the chapel at the Catholic Institute for Business and Technology, Accra, Ghana

Stainer's Crucifixion

This Wednesday at 7pm: A superb musical meditation on the Passion, with choral, solo, and congregational pieces.

Vanity of vanities

Here is a good Lenten meditation on the emptiness of worldly glory.

A Family Feud

David reaches his lowest ebb as he flees, exhausted, from Jerusalem, while being cursed and having stones hurled at him.

Ash Wednesday Mass times

The Wise Woman of Tekoa

Watch this week's exciting episode of Talking Heads, as David's family life unravels further.

How to read a painting

In the latest Barocci presentation we discover how to look at art.

The proliferation of moral chaos

Talking Heads this week has a contemporary relevance.

Music for February

The Image of Sanctity

Last year, for the four-hundredth anniversary of St Philip's canonization, a 'recognition' of his body was carried out.

Confession restores hope

St Philip transformed Rome by encouraging frequent Confession. We can transform York in exactly the same way.

'Spare' - the Old Testament prequel

David's life unravels, and finally ends, in a tale of red-headed heirs and spares.

Nativity Scenes from around the World

As we continue to celebrate Christmas, watch this video of our Barocci Group, looking at nativity scenes from around the world.

Christmas at the York Oratory - times of Masses and services

Find our Christmas Mass times here

Salve Regina is our cry of gladness

Sermon preached at the High Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Thou art the man!"

David and Bathsheba

A long lunch and then a siesta lead David to moral disaster.

I will make his kingship unshaken

Hear the extraordinary prophecy of how David's descendant will rule for ever, and Mary will be the Temple of the Lord.

Go to Joseph

The Food Bank at St Joseph's has got off to a blessed start

November: Month of the Holy Souls

To pray for the Faithful Departed is a great act of charity

Mary is the Ark of the Covenant

In this week's Talking Heads we hear how David brought the Ark to Jerusalem - and how Mary is truly the Ark containing God's glory

The York Salve

Listen to the York Salve, as sung in this city before the dissolution of the monasteries.

Masses for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day 2022

Tuesday 1st November is All Saints' - a holy day of obligation - and Wednesday 2nd is All Souls'. Find our Mass times here.

David Triumphant

In this week's Talking Heads: David is the image of the ideal king: just, merciful, and pious; his anointing prefigures Christ.

Starting to do good

The Gospel commands us to feed the hungry. Volunteers have been preparing St Joseph's hall to host a Food Bank.

David and the Amalekite

The first in a new series of Talking Heads - our Bible Study series

Some definite service

A sermon preached on Sunday 9th October, feast of our Cardinal, St John Henry Newman

When shall we begin to do good?

Our Sunday afternoon Oratory, in the spirit of St Philip, seeks to draw souls to God

Talking Heads - back soon

A new season of Talking Heads begins on 17th October, and will unpack the second Book of Samuel

Sermon from the Requiem Mass for Her late Majesty The Queen

"For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life."

Queen Elizabeth II RIP

The Fathers and Brothers of the Oratory are deeply saddened by the death of our beloved Sovereign.

The Mission of the Church

We welcomed a Cardinal to our parishes, who reminded us of the Church's mission to all humanity

St Margaret Clitherow witnesses again

On Bank Holiday Monday we renewed the witness St Margaret made by her martryrdom

Film of A Midsummer Night's Dream

If you couldn't come in person, you can now watch the last night of our play on YouTube

The Pearl of York

Watch a new documentary about St Margaret Clitherow

Forthcoming: Pilgrimage

Join us for our forthcoming St Margaret Clitherow pilgrimage.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Our performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in celebration of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee...

The Forty Hours

How we celebrated Jesus in the Eucharist this summer...

Welcome to Catholic York

On behalf of the Fathers and Brothers of the York Oratory, we welcome to our new website for the Catholic communities of the city of York.