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.

Friday, 31st July 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556 [Commemoration]

The Collect of the Day:

O almighty Lord and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of thy laws and in the works of thy commandments, that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 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:

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24:28-35, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

A Prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola:

Teach Us, Good Lord, to Toil

Teach us, good Lord,
To serve thee as thou deservest;
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not for seek for rest;
To labour and not to ask for any reward
Save that of knowing that we do thy will.

Amen.

St Ignatius of Loyola

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:

July 2026 - Wearmouth 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)