Stillness and Silence

Each Wednesday an hour of silence is held between us in Bartlemas Chapel (in the warmer months, May to September) and the Bethlehem chapel in the grounds of the convent of the All Saints Sisters, 15A Magdalen Road, Oxford OX4 1RW (October to April). Please call the Parish Office for advice about the specific date of transition.

The Bethlehem Chapel is the low semi-circular building built into the Leopold St wall, within the grounds of the convent of the All Saints Sisters of the Poor: turn left as you enter through the large gates on the north side of St Mary’s Road, which runs between Leopold St and Magdalen Rd.

Bartlemas Chapel is up a lane marked ‘Private’ that lies just beyond the Magdalen Rd bus stops on the left side of the Cowley Rd as you travel out towards Temple Cowley.

For Christians times of silence, times of stillness, have been an integral part of their worship, prayer and spiritual journey for two millennia. Meditation and contemplation are common in many other faiths, and Mindfulness and interior silence are becoming an important element in the lives of all who wish to live sanely and as an antidote to our busy consumerist culture. Silence is essential for the health and well-being of humans and the environment in which they live. Yet silence has almost vanished from our lives and our world.

Individuals of all faiths or none are welcome. If it is a practise which is new to you then even five or ten minutes of time set aside to be still and empty the mind in such a peaceful setting may be a good beginning. There are no words, no music, no reading, no hymns. People come and go during the hour, staying for as long or short a time as they wish.

For more information, please email vicarcsj@gmail.com