News

BBC Radio 4 will broadcast ‘Sunday Worship’ this weekend with music and reflections from St Dominic’s – The Rosary Shrine, the Dominican church in north London.

Sunday Worship: Saints and Song

Sun 7 Sep 2025, 8:10 am, BBC Radio 4
“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship” – St Thomas Aquinas

• PREVIEW: Video of the choir practising

This famous quote from the Dominican Friar, St Thomas Aquinas, touches on a deep truth; friends bring meaning to our lives in a myriad of ways. Though friendship is often overlooked, for many it not only provides essential support and comfort, it also has a spiritual significance. Fr Matthew Jarvis OP reflects on the relationship between friendship and the sacred and explores the important role it it has on the path to sainthood.

As the canonisations of two new saints, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (a lay Dominican), and Blessed Carlo Acutis, happen in Rome, Fr Matthew focusses on how their devotion to God and to their friends, set these young men apart.

This year also marks the 500th Anniversary of the birth of the composer, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Recognised as one of the most influential composers of the late Renaissance, his music expresses a rich theology, as different voices interweave to create polyphonic lines. The Southwell Consort sing music by Palestrina and some of his contemporaries, in this service from St Dominic’s Priory – The Rosary Shrine in London.

• Full details of the programme and a link to listen to the broadcast

We are excited to announce that choral scholarship positions have opened up here at St Dominic’s – The Rosary Shrine.

In addition to singing regularly at the Sunday 12noon solemn Mass, and once a month at 5pm for the Latin Dominican Rite Mass, as well as during Christmas and Holy Week, choral scholars will also have opportunities to sing at other liturgical events in the course of the year.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of and to enrich the musical life of an active parish and diocesan shrine.

DOWNLOAD INFORMATION ON THE SCHOLARSHIPS

To apply, please email Rachael Shipard (Choral Director) at rachaelshipard@gmail.com, copying in Martin Stacey (Director of Music) at festivaldirector@gmail.com, stating your interest and any background information about your experience to date.

The Solemnity of the Assumption is on Friday 15 August and is a day of obligation. There is a Vigil Mass this evening (14th August) at 6pm, and on the 15th Masses at 7.30am, 10am, and 6pm. Morning Masses are in the Lady Chapel via the entrance on Alan Cheales Way.

As the solemnity falls on a Friday, it is not necessary to abstain from meat on this occasion.

We apologise for any inconvenience. Please do join us at 12noon for the ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate of Brothers John Church and Daniel Rowlands, and Brother Giovanni Castellano.

Please note that the June organ recital has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience. We look forward to welcoming you to our recital in July.

Please note the parish office is closed this week and will reopen again on Tuesday 27th May. Please note phone calls and emails won’t be answered during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Fr Matthew, Fr Joseph, and all the Dominican friars of St Dominic’s Priory welcome and give thanks to God for the election of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. May God bless and strengthen him.

Fr Matthew, Fr Joseph, and all the Dominican friars who reside at St Dominic’s Priory would like to thank you for your kind generosity this Easter through the Easter collection as well as the gifts you have given us. We are truly grateful. May God bless you all.

On behalf of Fr Matthew (Prior) and Fr Joseph (Parish Priest), and all the Dominican friars who reside at St Dominic’s Priory, may we wish you and your loved ones a blessed and holy Easter

On behalf of all the Dominicans here at St Dominic’s Priory, thank you for your kindness and generosity shown to us over this Christmas period and New Year, through the Christmas offerings, your gifts and kind greetings. We are truly grateful.

On behalf of us all, we wish you all every blessing for this jubilee year of 2025.