University Sermons

The practice of delivering University Sermons dates back to the earliest days of the University. Each year eminent men and women from many different traditions are invited by the Vice-Chancellor to deliver sermons ‘before the University’. The University’s motto from Psalm 27, Dominus illuminatio mea (The Lord is my light), captures something of its purpose: an occasion of focus and exploration for the illumination of the mind in the context of prayer. Today, these sermons occur at the University Church and in College Chapels across the University. They provide an opportunity to hear renowned thinkers from a range of disciplines and perspectives, drawing together the life of learning, spiritual discovery and the quest for truth.

Hilary 2025

Thursday, 16 January, 8.00 a.m, Holy Communion (Latin). At the University Church

Preacher: The Reverend Professor William Whyte, St John's College

Sunday, 19 January, 3.30 p.m, Latin Litany and Sermon. At the University Church

Preacher: The Reverend Dr Melanie Marshall, Quondam, Balliol

Sunday, 26 January, 5.45pm, Macbride Sermon. At Hertford College

Preacher: The Reverend Canon Dr William Lamb, Vicar, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin

Friday, 9 February, 6.00 pm, University Sermon on the Grace of Humility. At Brasenose

Preacher: The Reverend Canon Leanne Roberts, Dean of Clergy Well-being, Diocese of Southwark

Sunday, 16 February, 10.30 am, University Sermon. At St Mary’s

Preacher: Dr Mary McAleese, President of Ireland 1997-2011; Professor of Children, Law & Religion at University of Glasgow 2018-2022; Chancellor of Trinity College Dublin

Sunday, 23 February, 10.30 am, University Sermon. At St Mary’s

Preacher: The Very Reverend Kelvin Holdsworth, Provost of St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow

Sunday, 9 March, 6.00 pm, Sermon for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. At Oriel College.

Preacher: The Reverend Dr Nicholas Moore, Warden of Cranmer Hall, Durham

Michaelmas 2024

Thursday 10 October, Holy Communion (Latin) at 8.00 am at the University Church

The Revd Dr Zachary Guiliano, Interim College Chaplain, Priest Vicar, Christ Church Cathedral

Tuesday 15 October, Court Sermon, at 6.00pm at the Cathedral

The Revd Robin Griffith-Jones, Master Of The Temple, Temple Church London

Sunday 20 October, University Sermon, at 10.30am at the University Church

Dr Kathryn Murphy, Fellow & Tutor In English Literature, Oriel

Sunday 3 November, Ramsden Sermon, at 5.45pm at Corpus Christi

The Very Revd Canon Richard Sewell, Dean, St George’s College, Jerusalem

Sunday 17 November, University Sermon, at 10.30am at the University Church

The Revd Canon Professor Jane Shaw, Principal Of Harris Manchester College, Professor Of The History Of Religion, And Pro-Vice-Chancellor

Sunday 24 November, University Sermon on The Sin of Pride, at 5.30pm at Balliol College

The Revd Dr Nick Austin, Master, Campion Hall

Sunday 1 December, University Sermon (Advent Sunday), at 11.00am at the Cathedral

The Revd Professor Mark Harris, Professor Of Science And Religion In The University Of Oxford And Fellow Of Harris Manchester College.

Trinity 2024

Thursday 18 April at 8.00am.Holy Communion (Latin). At St Mary's.

Preacher: The Reverend Dr Matthew Salisbury, Assistant Chaplain, Worcester College

Sunday 21 April at 6.00pm. St Mark’s Day Sermon. At Magdalen College.

Preacher: The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St. Alban’s Cathedral

Sunday 5 May at 10.30am. Commemoration Day Sermon. At St Mary's

Preacher: Professor Helen Moore, President, Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford

Sunday 19 May at 6pm. University Sermon (Whit Sunday). At the Cathedral.

Preacher: The Revd Canon Dr Flora Winfield, Third Church Estates Commissioner

Sunday 26 May at 6.15pm. University Sermon (Trinity Sunday). At Queen’s College.

Preacher: The Reverend Dr Carys Walsh, Curate Training Officer, Diocese of Peterborough

Sunday 2 June at 10.30am. University Sermon. At St Mary’s.

Preacher: Stephen Beresford, Author

Sunday 16 June at 10.00am. St John Baptist’s Day Sermon. At Magdalen.

Preacher: The Reverend Dr Jonathan Jong, experimental psychologist and Rector of Cocking with West Lavington, Bepton, and Heyshott, Diocese of Chichester.

Hilary 2024

Thursday, 11 January, 8.00 a.m, Holy Communion (Latin). At St Mary's

Sunday, 14 January, 3.30 p.m, Latin Litany and Sermon. At St Mary’s

Preacher: Dr Tristan Franklinos, Supernumerary Fellow, Wolfson College. Lecturer in Classics, Oriel College. Pro-Proctor, University of Oxford

Sunday, 21 January, 10.00 a.m, Macbride Sermon. At Hertford College

Preacher: The Reverend Dr Hannah Lewis SCL, Chaplain amongst the Deaf Community, Oxford Diocesan Council for the Deaf, Diocese of Oxford

Sunday, 11 February, 10.30 am, University Sermon and Inter-Collegiate Evensong. At St Mary’s

Preacher: The Very Reverend Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark

Friday, 9 February, 5.45 pm, University Sermon on the Grace of Humility. At Lady Margaret Hall.

Preacher: The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s

Sunday, 25 February, 10.30 am, University Sermon. At St Mary’s

Preacher: Jeanette Winterson CBE, FRSL, Author

Sunday, 3 March, 6.00 pm, Sermon for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. At Oriel College.

Preacher: Dr William Wood, Chair of the Theology Faculty and Fellow in Theology, Oriel College

Michaelmas Term 2023

Thursday 5 October Holy Communion (Latin). At St Mary's at 8.00am.

Celebrant: Fr Max Kramer, Chaplain, Keble College

Tuesday 10 October Court Sermon. At the Cathedral at 6.00pm.

Preacher: The Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE PC LLD FBA

Sunday 15 October University Sermon. At St Mary’s at 10.30am.

Preacher: The Revd Dr Mariama Ifode-Blease, Assistant Curate, St James's Piccadilly and Head of Education, The Salters’ Company and Institute

Sunday 29 October Ramsden Sermon. At St Peter’s College at 11.00am.

Preacher: The Revd Guy Hewitt, Director for Racial Justice, Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England

Sunday 5 November University Sermon. At St Mary’s at 10.30am.

Preacher: The Very Revd Dr Ian S. Markham, Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary, USA

Sunday 19 November Sermon on the Sin of Pride. At Keble College at 5:30pm.

Preacher: Mr Miles Young, Warden of New College

Sunday 3 December University Sermon (Advent Sunday). At the Cathedral at 11.00am.

Preacher: The Revd Canon Dr Michael Brierley, Director of Formation, Ripon College Cuddesdon

Trinity Term 2023

Thursday 20 April Holy Communion (Latin). At St Mary’s at 8.00am.

Celebrant: The Reverend Katherine Price, Vicar of Wantage

Sunday 23 April St Mark’s Day Sermon. At Magdalen College at 6.00pm.

Preacher: The Reverend Dr Alun Ford, Chaplain to the Bishop of Southwark

Sunday 8 May Commemoration Day Sermon. At St Mary’s at 10.30am.

Preacher: Dr Catherine Wilcox, Novelist and Academic Director of the Manchester
Writing School, Manchester Metropolitan University

Sunday 21 May University Sermon. At St Mary’s at 10.30am.

Preacher: The Revd Dr Elenie Poulos PhD GAICD, Adjunct Fellow, Macquarie University, Australia

Sunday 28 May University Sermon (Whit Sunday). At the Cathedral at 6.00pm.

Preacher: Please check the Cathedral website.

Sunday 4 June University Sermon (Trinity Sunday). At the Queen’s College at 6.15pm.

Preacher: The Revd Jarel Robinson-Brown, Assistant Curate, St Botolph-without-Aldgate, Diocese of London

Sunday 18 June St John Baptist’s Day Sermon. At Magdalen College at 10.00am.

Preacher: Professor Peter McCullough, Sohmer Fellow in English Renaissance Literature, Lincoln College

Hilary Term 2023

Thursday 12 January Latin Communion at the University Church at 8.00am

Celebrant: The Reverend Dr Matthew Cheung Salisbury, Assistant Chaplain, Worcester College

Tuesday 15 January Latin Litany and Sermon. At St Mary’s at 3.30pm

Preacher: Father Max Kramer, Chaplain and Fellow, Keble College

Sunday 22 January Macbride Sermon. At Hertford College at 10.00am

Preacher: Dr Margaret Masson, Principal, St Chad’s College, Durham University

Sunday 5 February University Sermon Inter-Collegiate Service. At St Mary’s at 5.30pm

Preacher: Dr Janina Ramirez, Research Fellow in History of Art, Harris Manchester

Sunday 19 February Sermon on the Grace of Humility. At Jesus College at 5:45pm

Preacher: The Venerable Tricia Hillas, Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons

Sunday 26 February University Sermon. At St Mary’s at 10.30am.

Preacher: Roxanna Panufnik, Composer

Sunday 5 March Sermon for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. At Oriel College at 6.00pm

Preacher: Professor Mark Wynn, Nolloth Professor of the Philosophy of the Christian Religion

Michaelmas Term 2022

Thursday 6 October Latin Communion at the University Church at 8.00am

Celebrant: The Revd Dr Zachary Guiliano, Chaplain, St Edmund Hall

Tuesday 11 October Court Sermon at the Cathedral at 6.00pm

Preacher: The Revd Justin Gau, Chancellor, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich

Sunday 16 October University Sermon at the University Church at 10.30am

Preacher: Chine McDonald, Director, Theos

Sunday 30 October Ramsden Sermon at Somerville College at 5.30pm

Preacher: The Rt Revd Lusa Nsenga Ngoy, Bishop of Willesden

Sunday 6 November University Sermon at the University Church at 10.30am

Preacher: The Revd Dr Peniel Rajkumar, Global Theologian, USPG

Sunday 20 November University Sermon on the Sin of Pride at Harris Manchester College at 6.00pm

Preacher: Philippa Perry, Author

Sunday 27 November University Sermon (Advent Sunday) at the Cathedral at 11.00am

Preacher: The Rt Revd Saju Muthalaly, Bishop of Loughborough

Trinity Term 2022

Thursday 21 April Holy Communion (Latin) at the University Church at 8.00am

Celebrant: The Revd Dr Jane Baun, Chaplain and Welfare Officer, Wadham College

Sunday 24 April St Mark's Day Sermon at Magdalen at 11.00am

Preacher: The Revd Dr Simon Cuff, Vicar, St Peter De Beauvoir, Diocese of London

Sunday 8 May Commemoration Day Sermon at University Church at 10.30am

Preacher: The Most Reverend Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell, Archbishop of York, Primate of England and Metropolitan

Sunday 22 May University Sermon at University Church at 10.30am

Preacher: The Right Honourable Dominic Grieve QC, Temple Garden Chambers

Sunday 5 June University Sermon (Whit Sunday) at the Cathedral at 9.45am

Preacher: The Venerable Jennifer McKenzie, Archdeacon of Wigan and West Lancashire

Sunday 12 June University Sermon (Trinity Sunday) at the Queen's College at 6.15pm

Preacher: The Revd Dr Michael Reeves, President and Professor of Theology, Union School of Theology

Sunday 19 June St John's Baptist Day Sermon at Magdalen at 10.00am

Preacher: The Revd Dr Melanie Marshall, Associate Chaplain and Career Development Researcher, Merton College

Hilary Term 2022

Thursday 13 January Holy Communion (Latin) at the University Church at 8.00 am

Celebrant: The Revd Professor Mark Chapman, Ripon College Cuddesdon

Sunday 16 January Latin Litany and Sermon at the University Church at 3.30 pm

Preacher: Professor Teresa Morgan, Nancy Bissell Turpin Fellow and Tutor in Ancient History, Oriel College

Sunday 23 January Macbride Sermon at Hertford College at 10.00 am

Preacher: Professor Anthony G. Reddie, Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture, Regent’s Park College

Sunday 6 February University Sermon and Inter-Collegiate Evensong at the University Church at 5.30 pm

Preacher: Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green

Sunday 20 February University Sermon at the University Church at 10.30 am

Preacher: The Revd Dr Sharon Prentis, Dean of Ministry, St Mellitus College

Sunday 27 February University Sermon on the Grace of Humility at St Hugh's College at 6.15 pm

Preacher: Mr Michael Symmons Roberts, Poet

Sunday 6 March Sermon for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, at Oriel College at 6.00 pm

Preacher: The Very Revd Dr Robert Gay, Prior of Blackfriars

Michaelmas Term 2021

Thursday 7 October Latin Communion at the University Church at 8.00am

Celebrant: The Revd Dr Zachary Guiliano, Chaplain, St Edmund Hall

Tuesday 12 October Court Sermon at the Cathedral at 6.00pm

Preacher: The Revd Philip Richie, Vicar, Cowley St John

Sunday 17 October University Sermon at the University Church at 10.30am

Preacher: The Revd Canon Dr Jen Smith, Superintendent Minister, Wesley's Chapel and Leysian Mission

Sunday 31 October Ramsden Sermon at Worcester College at 11.00am

Preacher: The Revd Dr Michael Jagessar

Sunday 7 November University Sermon at the University Church at 10.30am

Preacher: Carole Souter CBE, Master, St Cross College

Sunday 21 November University Sermon on the Sin of Pride at All Souls' College at 10.00am

Preacher: Professor Catriona Seth, Fellow and Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature, All Souls' College

Sunday 28 November University Sermon (Advent Sunday) at the Cathedral at 9.45am

Preacher: The Rt Revd June Osborne, Bishop of Llandaff

Trinity Term 2021

Thursday 22 April Latin Communion at the University Church at 8.00am

Celebrant: The Revd Professor Teresa Morgan, Nancy Bissell Turpin Fellow and Tutor in Ancient History, Oriel College

Sunday 25 April St Mark's Day Sermon at Magdalen College at 11.00am

Preacher: Dr Paula Gooder, Canon Chancellor, St Paul's Cathedral

Sunday 9 May Commemoration Day Sermon at the University Church at 10.30am

Preacher: Professor Andrew Dilnot, Warden, Nuffield College

Sunday 23 May University Sermon (Whit Sunday) at the Cathedral at 6.00pm

Preacher: The Revd Dr Ralph Waller, Kt, formerly Principal, Harris Manchester College

Sunday 30 May University Sermon (Trinity Sunday) at the Queen's College at 6.15pm

Preacher: The Rt Revd Professor N. T. Wright, Senior Research Fellow, Wycliffe Hall

Sunday 6 June Sermon on the Grace of Humility at Lincoln College at 5.45pm

Preacher: Dr Katherine Dell, Reader in Old Testament Literature and Theology, University of Cambridge

Sunday 13 June University Sermon at the University Church at 10.30am

Preacher: The Revd Dr Ayla Lepine, Ahmanson Fellow in Art and Religion, National Gallery

Sunday 20 June St John Baptist's Day Sermon at Magdalen College at 10.00am

Preacher: The Revd Dr Peter Anthony, Vicar, All Saints, Margaret Street

Hilary Term 2021

Thursday 14 January 8.00am Latin Communion at St Mary's

This service is now cancelled.

Sunday 17 January 3.30pm Latin Litany and University Sermon at St Mary's

This service is now cancelled.

Sunday 7 February 5.30pm University Sermon Intercollegiate Service at St Mary's

Preacher: The Revd Canon Dr Samuel Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields

Sunday 14 February 5.45pm University Sermon on the Grace of Humility at Lincoln College

This service is now cancelled.

Sunday 28 February 10.30am University Sermon at St Mary's

Preacher: The Rt Revd Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell, Bishop of Stepney

Sunday 7 March 6.00pm University Sermon for the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary at Oriel College

This service is now cancelled.

The Macbride Sermon at Hertford College on Sunday 24 January has been cancelled.

Michaelmas Term 2020

Thursday 8 October Latin Communion at the University Church

Celebrant: The Rt Revd Humphrey Southern, Principal, Ripon College Cuddesdon

Please note that the Court Sermon at the Cathedral, scheduled for Tuesday 13 October, and the Advent Sunday Sermon at the Cathedral, scheduled for Sunday 29 November, have been cancelled.

Trinity Term 2020

Sunday 10 May Commemoration Day Sermon at the University Church

Preacher: The Revd Canon Dr Peter Groves, Senior Research Fellow, Worcester College and Vicar of St Mary Magdalen, Oxford

Sunday 31 May University Sermon (Whit Sunday) at the Cathedral

Preacher: The Revd Canon Professor Simon Oliver, Van Mildert Professor of Divinity, University of Durham

Sunday 7 June University Sermon (Trinity Sunday) at the Queen's College

Preacher: The Revd Professor Paul Fiddes, Professorial Fellow & Director of Research, Regent’s Park College

Sunday 14 June University Sermon at the University Church

Preacher: Professor Helen King, Professor Emerita, Classical Studies, The Open University

Sunday 21 June St John Baptist's Day Sermon at Magdalen College

Preacher: The Rt Revd Humphrey Southern, Principal, Ripon College Cuddesdon

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