Below are some photos taken during the first part of High Mass in the Oxford Oratory on 23 June 2007, the Vigil of the Nativity of St John the Baptist. The High Mass marked the start of the annual Oxford Martyrs' Pilgrimage.
I did not take any photos during the actual Procession through the centre of Oxford which was, as ever, thronging with Saturday shoppers. No doubt photos of that and the Benediction which closed the day will be online soon.
About a hundred Catholics of all ages walked in the footsteps of the Oxford martyrs, singing the Litany and psalms in Latin, various vernacular hymns, and praying. We were led by Fr Anton Webb, Cong. Orat. in this collective act of witness to our faith and thanksgiving for the brave sacrifice of the Catholic martyrs of Oxford.
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword!
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! Holy faith!
We will be true to Thee till death!
Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free.
How sweet would be their children's fate
If they, like them could die for thee!
Faith of our fathers! Holy faith!
We will be true to Thee till death!
