S. Mary’s stands firmly in the Catholic Tradition of the Anglican Church. Worship is central, and everyone is welcome to our services.
Mass
Sunday 11.00 am Solemn Mass – a sung Mass (traditional language 1984 Church in Wales Prayer Book) with incense, choir, occasional sung propers, motets/anthems.
Monday 6.00 pm Mass
Wednesday 10.00 am Mass
Evensong
Evensong daily at 6.00 pm (said in chancel) except for days when there is a Mass.
For the month’s services at S. Mary’s, and for those at S. Eigon’s, Llanigon; S. John’s Chapel, Hay; S. Michael and all Angels’, Clyro, ‘Little’ S. Mary’s, Capel-y-Ffin and Bettwys Chapel, please see the calendar below.
Calendar of Services for September 2025
MONDAY 1st SEPTEMBER
6.00 pm Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
WEDNESDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER
S.Gregory the Great – The first monk to become Pope, in 590, it is he who sent S. Augustine of Canterbury to our shores and therefore evangelise the English people. Of course, here in Wales, there are others who brought the Faith over. A reminder that we are a part of the United Kingdom and inheritors of the Faith as brought to us by a number of Godly folk.
10.00 am Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
THURSDAY 4th SEPTEMBER
10.00 am Mass at the Chapel of S. John, Lion Street
SUNDAY 7th SEPTEMBER
12th Sunday after Trinity/23rd Sunday after Trinity and 23rd Week of Ordinary Time
9.30 am Parish Mass at S. Eigon, Llanigon
11.00 am Parish Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
6.00 pm Parish Mass at Little S. Mary’s, Capel-y-Ffin
MONDAY 8th SEPTEMBER
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – The only Marian feast listed in the Book of Common Prayer as issued in 1662, though without specific readings or Collect. A shame since the Blessed Virgin Mary was a necessary part of God becoming Incarnate as Jesus Christ the Son.
6.00 pm Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
9th September – Charles Lowder – Sound Anglican Vicar in the East End docks of London 1856-80, one of the first so-called Anglo-Catholic slum priests. He and others remained present with much visiting during a cholera epidemic, winning the affection and admiration of parishioners. An example of one whose love of Christ and the people of God shone strongly regardless of what it did to his career prospects and social standing.
WEDNESDAY 10th SEPTEMBER
10.00 am Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
THURSDAY 11th SEPTEMBER
S.Deinol – Founded a monastery in Bangor and was consecrated Bishop by S. David himself, so the first Bishop of Bangor. Whatever the misjudgements may have been of the last holder of this Episcopal See, one would always seek to be forgiven and treated with great charity were we to hold such responsibility. There is a library founded by former Prime Minister Gladstone, named after S. Deinol.
10.00 am Mass at the Chapel of S. John, Lion Street
12th September – Most Holy Name of Mary – The Roman Martyrology records, ‘The Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day on which the inexpressible love of the Mother of God for her Holy Child is recalled, and the eyes of the faithful are directed to the figure of the Mother of the Redeemer, for them to invoke with devotion.’ Many hold the name Mary to be Star of the Sea. Be we on sea, climbing highlands or resting in the lowlands, she is the star or light giver for us all.
13th September – S. John Chrysostom – A native of Antioch, S. John became Archbishop of Constantinople in 398. He was forthright and upset many, including the Empress Eudoxia who took a homily of his on Jezebel the prostitute to be about her. He found himself, in time, in exile and being forced to move on regularly. There are a number of prayers attributed to him within which is this wonderful petition: ‘and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them.’
SUNDAY 14th SEPTEMBER
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross – This feast falls on a Sunday this year. The story of the relic which gave occasion to this feast may be included in the Homily.
9.30 am Parish Mass at S. Eigon, Llanigon
11.00 am Mattins at S. Michael and All Angels, Clyro
11.00 am Parish Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
MONDAY 15th SEPTEMBER
Our Lady of Sorrows – It can be hard to think out when we are in sorrow, but Our Lady mourns as much with us as she rejoices with us. In our vale of tears let us turn to our most blessed Mother.
6.00 pm Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
16th September – Edward Bouvrie Pusey – One of the first Tractarians in whose memory the Anglo-Catholic chaplaincy to the University of Oxford was founded and at which his considerable library has been preserved and added to. A place of deep faith and jolly parties. The liturgy is done with absolute precision here. Rather too much for me, a forgetful soul, but it does have a great pull with students there.
WEDNESDAY 17th SEPTEMBER
S.Hildegard of Bingen – A Nun who had visions, provided counsel and direction to many, and wrote variously including some beautiful music and poetry. As a young child she was blessed to see the world as a reflection of the living light of God.
10.00 am Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
THURSDAY 18th SEPTEMBER
S.Janarius – Bishop of Benevento in Italy, who was martyred during the Diocletian persecution in 305. He is the patron Saint of Naples where relics, held to be his blood, are held.
10.00 am Mass at the Chapel of S. John, Lion Street
SUNDAY 21st SEPTEMBER
S.Matthew – one of the four Gospel writers, Matthew held the lucrative job of tax collector and was despised by his fellow Jews, before following Christ’s call.
9.30 am Parish Mass at S. Eigon, Llanigon
11.00 am Parish Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
6.00 pm Evensong at Little S. Mary’s, Capel-y-Ffin
MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER
6.00 pm Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
WEDNESDAY 24th SEPTEMBER
Our Lady of Walsingham – the feast keeping the title of Our Lady after she appeared to Lady Richeldis in Walsingham, Norfolk in 1061. Now called England’s Nazareth, we go here on pilgrimage every year. It is a very special and holy place where all Christian people feel the healing power and majesty of God.
10.00 am Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
THURSDAY 25th SEPTEMBER
Lancelot Andrewes – Anglican Priest who came to office of Bishop of Winchester under James I. Prior to this he had provided sound public criticism of Calvinism and was listed as one of the Divines who helped put together that now known as the King James Bible. On the Mass he wrote, ‘Adoration is permitted, and the use of the terms “sacrifice” and “altar” maintained as being consonant with scripture and antiquity.’ Resurrect the man and appoint him to Canterbury!
10.00 am Mass at the Chapel of S. John, Lion Street
26th September – Ss. Cosmos & Damian – These two were twins who became Doctors, had deep faith and were martyred. They are said to have miraculously transplanted a black leg on to a white patient. There is a Church dedicated to these two just outside Leominster where there is one white candle and one black one either side of the icon there.
SUNDAY 28th SEPTEMBER
Ss. Michael & All Angels (trans.)
11.00 am Patronal Mass at S. Michael and All Angels, Clyro, followed by lunch
11.00 am Parish Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
MONDAY 29th SEPTEMBER
6.00 pm Mass at S. Mary’s, Hay
The Angelus bell rings out twice a day at S. Mary’s, 12.00 noon and 6.00 pm before evening prayer. This devotion reminds people that they are being prayed for and blessed. The Angelus is a very ancient devotion – and I hope that when people hear the bell ringing (3×3, then 9) they will pause and join with the prayer being offered in the church as it rings. Fr. David
