The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham celebrated Solemn Evensong and Benediction at the beautiful London church of St James', Spanish Place, on Sunday evening in honour of the Blessed John Henry Newman. The feast of the patron, which falls this week, presented the opportunity to invite the Very Reverend Daniel Seward Cong. Orat., the Provost of the Oxford Oratory, to preach on Newman and the call the sanctity (sermon on the website).
The canticles were sung to the Collegium Regale setting by Herbert Howells, whilst the Introit was O nata lux by Thomas Tallis, and the anthem was O thou the central orb by Charles Wood. The choir of St James's, Spanish Place provided the music for the celebrations. The Preces and Responses, and the Psalms, were sung to traditional Anglican settings.
The Ordinary, Mgr Keith Newton, presided at the office and gave Pontifical Benediction, assisted in choir by priests from the Personal Ordinariate and the Archdiocese of Westminster.
(You may read the text of Fr. Seward's sermon here.)
Photo Source: Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham
