On the eve of St Birinus Day 2009, December 4th. Holy Mass was celebrated at St Birinus Church. Usus Antiquor, the "Latin" Mass, sometimes referred to as "Tridentine".

Which name CB believes relates to The Council of Trent at which the post-Reformation form of The Mass was sanctioned.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr John Osman supported by other clergy from the Deanery. Mass was accompanied by the music of Mozart played on Organ & Violins and sung by Andrew Knowles and his band of musicians. Mozart Missa Brevis in B.

After the Mass parishioners repaired to the Presbytery for canapes and wine to celebrate this recollection of our Patronal saint.

The Homily was given by Fr Jerome Bertram from The Oxford  Oratory  and tied together historical recollections of the departure of Bp. Birinus from Milan and respect for The Body of Christ as reflected in The Holy Mass.

Your Webmaster took a video recording of this Mass and will now endeavour to stitch together representative scenes and place the resulting sequence on this site.

St Birinus Church was filled to capacity and for the first time The Mass was transmitted wirelessly toThe Parish Room,  The Davey Room. This overflow facility will be a bonus on the many occasions that St Birinus Church proves too small for the congregation.

CB - 5-12-2009