John Church
Br John is a deacon in his final year of studies at Blackfriars Oxford, preparing for priestly ordination. He is the Promotor of the Dominican Youth Movement. He first encountered the Dominicans while studying Classics at Oxford, and entered the noviciate in 2018. An attraction to religious life initially grew out of time spent working with the Missionaries of Charity, which then crystallised into a Dominican vocation through a desire to integrate the contemplative life with preaching and study.
john.church@english.op.org
What has racism got to do with me?
By Br John Bernard Church, O.P | Talking about racism is difficult, because it is unavoidably personal and quickly creates charged conversations.
Blessed Is the Fruit of Her Womb
By Br John Bernard Church, O.P | A Rosary Vigil on the eve of Pentecost in the presence of the
Talking about Talking
By Br John Bernard Church, O.P | In the second episode of our series on Dominicans and their peculiar pursuits, we
The Seven Last Words – 7. ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’
The Seven Last Words | From the Friday before Palm Sunday until Holy Saturday, the student brothers offer you a daily
To whom shall we go? Jean Vanier and the loss of hope
By Br John Bernard Church, O.P | The recent news about Jean Vanier is particularly sickening. It leaves us praying for
The God Who Speaks: A Preacher Without Words
By Br John Bernard Church, O.P | When Christ first sends out the twelve, it’s not entirely clear what he is
Quodlibet 39: Religious Life, Youth Ministry, and Evangelisation
Quodlibets | A series of questions on what might be missed after taking vows, keeping in touch, and evangelising the young. What elements
“Be fruitful and multiply”: an Irresponsible Command?
By Br John Bernard Church, O.P. | It seems increasingly common to hear people express the sentiment “I’m not going to
Mary, Mother of God: Contemplation amidst Chaos
By Br John Bernard Church, O.P. | Our nativity scenes tend to tell an incomplete story. The reality of Mary’s motherhood
Advent Art: Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, by Rembrandt
By Br John Bernard Church, O.P. | Rembrandt’s depiction of the prophet Jeremiah appears to be one of despair in
Remembering… Fr Vincent McNabb, O.P. (1868-1943)
By Br John Bernard Church, O.P. | Br John Bernard considers Fr Vincent McNabb's understanding of prayer, and what might
Newman and the New Evangelisation: a lecture by Bishop Robert Barron
By Br John Bernard Church | Bishop Robert Barron, auxiliary Bishop in Los Angeles and founder of Word on Fire,