Our English Mass
In March 2017, we started celebrating mass in English on Saturdays at five p.m. We wanted to create an alternative for the many families with children who attended the English mass in St. Eugenia. The mass in St. Eugenia was felt to be a little too late in the day and long for the children. It turned out that a simpler, shorter mass created for the children was appreciated! We only have two readings, using the Eucharistic prayer written for children; the short creed and hymns that everyone can sing. We have an organist and a little choir who are very faithful and lead us in the hymns and music. The mass is celebrated by Father John McCormack. The people who come represent all continents, they are English speakers from all over the world. Most people come in from the suburbs - they belong to other congregations than ours. Every second saturday we have an after-mass Swedish fika. Everyone is welcome to join and share their own food! The fika has become a very popular activity and a real meeting place for many.
For those who are interested in participating in the English mass or get more information we refer to the Facebook group Catholic English Mass in Stockholm.
The history of our church
Our parish began in the 1930s when Dominican priests and sisters came from France to Stockholm. From simple beginnings with a little chapel they were able to establish themselves by their openness to the people and their ability to attract interest in the Catholic Church by the activities they organised. In October 1938 they found a house, 79 Linnégtan, which was suitable for both a Dominican community and a parish church. The house was to cost 290,000 crowns and the church building 300,000 crowns. On the 16th July 1939 Bishop Müller opened the new church, unusual because it was below ground level and the sanctuary was lit from above - a round window in the roof.
The Dominicans worked in the parish until 1978 and then handed over responsibility to the diocese. The parish at present consists of Östermalm, Djurgården, Lidingö och Frascati. The parish numbers about 1,700 members.
The French connections still exists in that there is Mass in French on two Sundays every month.