Bishop Philip writes…
Last Sunday I was invited to preach at Choral Evensong in Oriel College, Oxford. The sermon was part of as special series of sermons dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorating the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the College, which was originally known as the College of the Blessed Mary the Virgin in Oxford, commonly known as Oriel College. St. John Henry Newman was a fellow of Oriel until he resigned in 1843 to consider his future within the Anglican Church and I felt very conscious of his presence while I was in the College precincts. After Evensong, I was invited to dinner at formal hall on the high table with the Provost, Lord Mendoza, and a number of other fellows and lecturers. We then repaired to the Senior Common Room for post-prandials and coffee. It was a great occasion and an opportunity to speak with the Chaplain and with others, including a Catholic priest from Australia who is currently completing his doctorate.
Meanwhile, welcome to this e-News for Tuesday 10th February 2026. Tomorrow we keep the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and you can read about the Lourdes pilgrimage we are planning this year. Next week we have Ash Wednesday – have you decided yet which Lenten works of prayer, fasting and charity you hope to undertake for the season? Have a blessed week ahead.
With all good wishes and an assurance of my prayers,
In Corde Iesu
+Philip
Bishop of Portsmouth
[Image: Conference Oxford]
