We are a Church of England parish with a strong tradition of music in worship, where all are very welcome. As an ancient Church in the centre of Durham, St Oswald's is a reservoir of peace for all who enter it.

The Sunday Eucharist is at 11:00am, and we have a play and books corner by the font for any younger worshipper who feels a parent or carer would enjoy it there. Evensong is at 6:00pm on Sundays, either in the chancel, or roughly every other week during term time when the usual hymns expand to a full choral setting, in the body of the church. Midweek Holy Communion is at 10:00am on Wednesdays, and the church is usually open from 9:30am till round about 5:00pm (or dusk, if earlier) on weekdays.

Tuesday, 4th August 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Curé d’Ars, Spiritual Guide, 1859 [Commemoration]

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who didst send thy Holy Spirit to be the life and light of thy Church: open our hearts to the riches of thy grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship 

Verses from the Second Reading Appointed for Today's Morning Prayer:

‘For it is written in the book of Psalms,
“Let his homestead become desolate,
and let there be no one to live in it”;
and
“Let another take his position of overseer.”
So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

Acts 1:20-26, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

A Prayer of St Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney:

A Prayer to Love God

I love thee, O my God.
My only desire is to love thee,
until the last breath of my life.

I love thee, O infinitely loveable God,
and I prefer to die loving thee,
rather than to live for an instant without thee.

I love thee, O my God,
and I desire only to go to heaven,
to have the happiness of loving thee perfectly.

I love thee, O my God,
and my only fear is to go to hell,
because one will never have the sweet
solace of loving thee there.

O my God, if my tongue cannot say
at all times that I love thee,
at least I want my heart to repeat it to thee!
as many times as I breathe.

Ah! Do me the grace
to suffer while loving thee,
to love thee while suffering,
and, that when I die:
I not only will love thee,
but experience it in my heart.

I beg thee that: the closer I come to my final end,
thou wilt increase and perfect my love for thee. 

Amen. 

Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan:

God of mercy and compassion,

We pray for the people of Japan following the devastating earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Hold close all who mourn the loss of loved ones. Bring healing to those who are injured and comfort to all who are frightened, displaced or waiting for news of family and friends.

Protect those who remain trapped or missing. Give strength, wisdom and endurance to rescue workers, medical teams and all who are providing emergency assistance.

We pray for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. May they receive shelter, food, clean water, medical care and the practical support they need.

Strengthen our sisters and brothers in the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, the Anglican Church of Japan, and all churches and communities offering comfort and care.

Amid grief and destruction, sustain the people of Japan with courage and hope, and guide them through the long work of recovery.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our refuge and our strength.

Amen.

The Anglican Communion 

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month: 

August 2026 - Auckland Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us all kneel, and jointly beseech the true and living God Almighty, in his mercy, to defend us from the haughty and fierce enemy; for He knows that we have undertaken a just war for the safety of our nation.

Amen. 

(Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634)