This is the parish I went through RCIA in 2017. At this time, Father Wallace was the priest. What I loved most from this parish was how traditional the mass was performed with traditional hymns and singing Gloria in Latin, the use of frankincense, and most of all, how Father Wallace held Mass. I enjoyed his homily's and how he could make a relation to daily life or the feelings that come with daily life and how to overcome them with trust in God. He didn't need a prewritten paper or a computer to assist him with making relation, it seemed as if it just came so natural. I found him to be a true Sheppard of god and had a natural ability to bring people closer to god as well. When I first came to this parish and attended my first Sunday Mass, Father Wallace instantly recognized me as someone who didn't normally attend, as if, he knew every single parishioner but he looked at me as if he knew I had intentions of becoming Catholic. It's hard to explain, just that he was incredibly welcoming to the parish. I've recently returned to this parish since I finally live closer to it and was very excited to return, however, I see that there is a different priest now holding Mass. I've only attended a couple Sundays since my return and I've noticed a slight trend. During the Liturgy of the Word, when the priest is giving his homily, I sense there is a bit of a political innuendo. I find it slightly odd and as if this priest is almost trying to insert his political leanings into the homily. Also, the first time I tried to say hello and speak with this priest, I received a brief and taciturn "good morning..." and then he proceeded to speak to others he recognized. Just felt a bit off and unwelcoming. I'll continue to attend Sunday Mass of course, I just really miss Father Wallace here a lot. read more

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Unwelcoming to an out of state Eucharistic minister who needed Host to an intensely suffering relative who is in danger of immediate paralysis from a pending operation and whose care facility is not of the Christian faith but required due to her medical coverage. read more

This is a beautiful church with traditional mass, lovely gardens and good ministries.

I am a convert and this church feeds my need for the full experience of the Catholic Church. Orthodox and a very friendly environment of the Liturgy. Strong support from their Knights of Columbus council. Father Bill is a very solid priest. Try this church out! read more

This is my church l really like everything is Amazing!!! Father Wallace every Sunday Mass does good job!!!

Best church in Oceanside. Quite and relax. One of the best experiences in town.........

Beautiful space but the people, not so much. I tried to register as a parishioner there a few years ago but was turned away because I didn't live in their "jurisdiction." What church has a "jurisdiction?" That's absurd. Then you have the people, who have seemingly gotten more unwelcoming since Covid. I get that this is a solidly traditional parish, but that doesn't give them the right to be snobs to people. read more

Went here for more than a couple of years before moving back to AZ. Thanks to Father Wallace for the TLM. I miss the parish, the people of this parish, Fr Wallace and Deacon Chuck. read more

We went as visitors today, Easter Sunday, and felt at home. It was uplifting to be back to a Catholic mass that is traditional. The homily was excellent and right on point with both scriptures and how it relates to today. Beautiful light throughout the church, and the choir amazing. Exactly what we were seeking with gregorian chant style singing. I was relieved to finally find a Catholic church where tradition is valued and respected! Thank you for a beautiful Easter Mass. We shall return. read more

The most amazing church I've personally been to. Amazing priests and mass. Beautiful grounds and clean well kept church.

When I converted to the faith in 2005, I went to St. Margaret's since I lived inside the parish boundaries and had no idea of the differences between parishes. The Lord certainly blessed me with giving me this particular family to welcome me into the Church. First, the pastor. Father Cavana Wallace is a tremendous pastor. He's not always going to be cordial, nice or sooth your ego. He wants you to get to heaven more than he wants you to feel good about yourself. That is his vocation after all. You will never hear him teach anything but the divinely revealed word of God and the teaching of the Lord's Church. He has welcomed Lutheran, Anglicans, Greek Orthodox and others under his roof for prayer and dialog. He has guided the parish from a small ugly multi-purpose building to one of the most beautiful and grand parish Churches San Diego has seen in half a century. He fosters door to door evangelization, the development of an amazing choir using skills found inside the parish family, and he respects the past while embracing the future (he prays in Latin but has an iPhone 5!) One of the best, most holy men I know and certainly the most influential in my life when it comes to Holy Mother Church. Second, liturgy. This parish offers both the Ordinary form (English) and the Extraordinary (Latin) and they are both offered in a reverent, beautiful, efficacious manner. Any worries about time in my opinion are small beans compared to the encounter with the risen Lord in this parish. Third, the people. Its hard in a suburban military community to keep a good continuity of people, but St. Margaret's does well in this regard. Sure there isn't a "ministry" for every little thing, but that's how it should be! There are parish picnics, groups for men, women and children. also, the meeting hall...has a beer tap system for men's nights! Overall, one of the most healthy and holy parishes I have ever been to. God bless Fr. Wallace and the whole parish! read more

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Love it here. Close to home to make it easier to drive to. Took some time for me to get used to how the mass is run both on weekdays and weekends. I'm ecstatic to see that there's a Latin mass for a more traditional feel. I have attended the Latin mass a few times and enjoyed it each and every time. Everyone around is friendly and welcoming to all. I'm happy to be able to come here early before start of mass to be able to quietly do my prayers. One thing I may suggest is to provide air conditioning as on crowded occasional days it can get really warm with all the body heat. As being one with sensitivity, I've had almost fainted a couple times during such moments. read more

I visited St Margaret's on the Solemnity of the Assumption while in the area for a business trip. Pro: Beautiful mass. Roman canon. Gloria in Latin. Wonderful choir. Sung propers. A well-developed homily. Talented organist. Traditional, singable hymns. Incense. Well-drilled altar boys. Nice missal/hymnal. A congregation that didn't grab my hands during the Our Father. Con: Terrible acoustics, with echoes that made it difficult to follow the homily or the gospel. The church is shaped like a plus sign, with the congregation facing inwards from three directions (four, if you count the priest's Captain Kirk chair or the choir). The priest celebrated mass facing the congregation rather than leading the congregation in praying towards God. It wasn't clear where the tabernacle was. I got the impression that the New Liturgical Movement is gaining momentum here, perhaps with some healthy cross-over from the Anglican Use and the Extraordinary Form. read more

Beautiful church with an incredible and transcendental atmosphere and interior. The high sung Latin Mass is beautiful. The choir music is amazing and really helps me to reflect and worship our Blessed Lord. The artwork, icons, and images inside are majestic and classical. And of course Father Cavana Wallace is an exceptional speaker and thinker, and extremely generous and merciful. If you want to discover our Lord or continue to worship in a traditional yet fascinating and deep form, I encourage you to attend the Latin Mass here on Sundays at 6pm! read more

My name is Gay Meslovich. I live in Portland, Oregon, but I used to be a resident of Oceanside. I belonged to Grace Anglican Church, but was a misplaced Catholic. The Church turned her back on me in 1964, because I refused to stop a divorce. I was putting a end to an abusive marriage. I was away from the Church for 58 years. After my husband passed away in 2014, I took a Bible and some books to their library, and Fr Cavana "happened" to be present. He was the first Priest who ever asked me to "Come home"., even though I have known several Priests. I hung around the Catholic Church for a few years, but could not participate in anything meaningful, because I was ashamed. Nobody ever told me that I had grounds for an annulment. In 1977, I made a retreat and the Priest there helped me find peace. I had the annulment in one month. But I was still away, because I was in a marriage that could not be fixed. I was told that I could not receive Our Lord in Communion in "my" church.. This is the Church as Christ meant it to be. If you come back, you will be received with open arms, because Jesus loves you. I am a convert, coming into the Church in 1953, and falling in love with the Lord, so I was deeply wounded, but I never lost my faith. I am 90 yrs old. Here you will find beauty, reverence, and love. I hope you will come home. read more

A beautiful Church. Fr. Wallace is a very articulate priest who's sermon's main point is one every person of faith should strive to put in practice. As a Baptist minister, I found one point to be objectionable: Catholics should also take note that when vulnerable families arrive in the United States, if the first Christians to meet them, who clothe them, feed them and offer them an embrace of love, is a battalion of Latter Day Saints, a group of Jehovah's Witnesses or other types of fundamentalists, then Christ is justified in His anger against us for neglecting our own brothers and sisters, our own children. To lump other Christian brothers with other cults is making inflammatory and bigoted statements designed to create fear and distrust. I take a strong stand against both protestant and catholic tearing down of each other when there are real needs out there to meet. A better statement could be, "battalions of non-Catholics..." This would maintain the integrity of the message without inflammatory wording. My Prayers are with Fr. Wallace who runs a fine perish. I pray this is only a hic-up in a fine Church which many of my Marines attend and enjoy. read more

I had been looking everywhere for a Catholic church with the traditional, I should say, majestic Latin rites. Thankfully, I found St. Margaret's and in North County no less. If your tastes run to the deeply moving Gregorian choir, spoken Latin, confessions before every Mass and the rites that were the norm for almost two millennia, you have found your home. The parish is fairly new, so the 5th star will come with more activities for parishioners which is clearly the plan moving forward. Give yourself a treat and attend the 6:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday for a truly wonderful experience. read more

Even though I was raised Catholic, went to St. Francis Church for a couple years of grade school and was very active as a youth leader, I have found St. Margaret's Church to be one of the most homey and spiritual places around. Although these days my most spiritual moments are manifested in a big mixture of many beliefs quietly brewing on my yoga mat during the last quiet moments of shavasana, my immediate family and particularly my younger sister are still very much followers of the Catholic faith so I try to go with them a couple times a year. And although St. Francis was "my church" for so many years, St. Margaret's Parish, Father Wallace and the friendly people who attend will make anyone feel like they are home and amidst a sort of extended family. The church has come a long way from being held in what is now a hall as a huge beautiful church was built recently with breathtaking architecture and detail. Every once in a while I still go to Mass because it means so much to my family. One thing I really like about this church is their efforts to put on fun, meaningful parish events. Last night I went so far as to skipping out on the much anticipated yearly traditional event celebrating at Bourbon St. in Hillcrest to celebrate Mardi Gras with my family at church. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by a great time! The parishioners are so happy and friendly. About 11 local families brewed their own beer and there were beer tastings with a vote for the winner which was a nice surprise at church. A big family style potluck that must have had 30+ pasta dishes along side 20+ homemade desserts made for quite the pre-Ash Wednesday and Lenten season feast. They even roasted a pig following Roman traditions before the biblical 40 day meat fast. I cannot believe I'm admitting this but I was even caught promenading and do-si-do'ing with my little sister around the hall to Irish music and greeting Father Wallace who was startled by my super bright Mardi Gras makeup. I felt that because I indulged last night as much as I could at a church event that I could join my family and make it to the 7am Mass this morning to receive an ash cross from the palms of Palm Sunday past. I must say, every time I am in this church a sense of heart-opening happiness overcomes me. Today was no different. The sunlight peaks in the church beautifully. The priest, who is originally from Ireland, is so friendly and sincere, and he welcomes the parish as if we all live in a little cozy town where everybody knows everybody. I wrote in my head and focused on a little mantra during Mass which has carried me through the day. It went something like - Please grant me the grace to not pass judgement with my mind, mouth, or heart. Please grant me inner strength, discipline and peace. Please help me remind myself in every thought, word and action to let love lead the way. If you are Catholic and looking for a new parish or considering a new church home, St. Margaret's is one of my top recommendations and this is coming from the girl who went to practically every church in the county during high school trying to find one that felt 'right.' There is a growing youth and young adult program, a Little Angels group for preschoolers and their moms and so much more. It is surely a church worth supporting or even just stopping in for a visit. read more

I find it a little odd yelping my church, but for the benefit of others and the integrity of site, I write on. Born and raised in Oceanside I was baptized Catholic by the former pastor Bill Gold and attended everything from Services, CCD, 1st Communion here in what is now the MPR or Multipurpose room. That was our church. Maybe 15 years ago it was expanded to it's current size by adding more modern amenities, a kitchen and a blessed sacrament/confessional area. When father Bill retired and father Cavanaugh Wallace stepped in we made plans to raise money and build a church that would last another 30 years. Years of planning made the blessing of the larger, newer church possible. Well decorated, tall ceilings, great lighting, ventilation and real pews. Obviously if your reading this your probably not a congregation member, but probably visiting, travelling or looking to switch churches. Well let me tell you that I love St. Margaret's, for the pastor and the people. I am partial, I am biased, but for me there is no other place I'd rather worship. I've been to The Prince of Peace Abby, San Luis Rey, St. Francis and many others on occasion, but home is home and this is where it's at. Our congregation is older and although we have programs for High school students and young adults we still like to do things old school, traditional, we brought back the latin mass here. read more

Dimitte me, Domine. Call me judgmental, but I miss my parish in Walnut, CA. It's smaller, modern, and less grand, but it's home. I used to wake up two hours before mass to drive 45 miles one way just to get to church at 8:30AM. I don't get that feeling with St. Margaret's, even though I live 75 miles closer to Oceanside than San Lorenzo Ruiz. St. Margaret's is aesthetically beautiful from floor to ceiling, but this place seems to be run as if it was Pre-Vatican II. The church itself might been fun to explore from an academic point of view, but spiritually, I felt disconnected and estranged. It was hard to take home the presiding priest's homily on Father's Day. It felt dry and the message didn't touch me (I guess Father forgot to realize that there are some people amongst the congregation who didn't have the opportunity to have a decent male parent in their lives... I know he tried to make his homily relatable, but it felt distant like the rest of the mass). Maybe coming fresh out of Confirmation class didn't help... I have a high standard of comparison and REALLY listen to the readings/homilies to the point of being analytical with my sponsor, who is the RCIA director at SLR. Maybe it's just angst over being so far away. Maybe it's the presider's chair smack dab in the middle, right behind the altar. As much as Paul T. speaks highly of the Gregorian choir, unfortunately, I didn't feel moved by the single cantor. Maybe in the future when I feel less... cynical... I'll come back to experience the high mass. Having been part of the choir (literally), I know my Angus Dei's and the Latin rites... what wins people over is when the Holy Spirit speaks through the heart and empowers the soul pushing out the voices, not just the reverberations or amplification from the microphone... it seems blasphemous to be so dissatisfied with mass, but being able to be involved in singing during the opening, offertory, communion and closing songs is one of the few joys of sitting amongst the congregation -- beside practicing your Catholic calisthenics, listening to the homily and how the readings/Gospel apply to life today, and of course, participating in the communion rite. I should probably try a future mass as a second attempt of sorts and force myself to go, but going here makes church feel like an obligation rather than an opportunity to spend time with God and reflect. read more

Lovely parish and the harmony and welcoming atmosphere that Fr. Wallace has built up here is tangible! Its reverent yet down to earth and keeps me driving from Escondido! Fr. makes himself available and easy to talk to. read more

The Sunday mass here is very solemn and reverential . I feel in close communion with my God when I attend the Sunday services. The homily by Fr. Wallace is something I always anticipate with enthusiasm! it is applicable to our daily living and accordingly with the timely holy readings. When I reflect and pray I feel that my Lord is listening because of the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere! read more

I participated at the 11am liturgy with my family earlier thismonth. The pastor gave a very clear and direct message as to how to open one's heart and unclutter it! He gave real life situations and connected them to the catechism beautifully. He even figured out how to articulate the Mass as a holy sacrifice while staying on topic. Mass was very reverent. There is no modernism or assembly theology taking place here. The music helps raise the mind, soul & spirit to elevate itself to heaven. Mass was about an 1.5 hour--which is fine by me! There were some folks who left as the recessional was taking place and some, thankfully futile, who tried to launch applause at the end. The pastor all in all creates a great atmosphere without compromising a thing about the authentic faith nor the noble simplicity due to the Mass. If you live ANYWHERE remotely near Oceanside, hands down--this has to be your parish! Nothing watered down here. read more

I attend daily mass on base and split my weekends between St Mary's Star of the Sea in Oceanside and St James The Lesser in Perris; my parents and grandparents live near Perris Ca. I Have found myself attending mass twice on a sunday just to attend an Extraordinary Form Of The Mass. I love St. Margaret's because I have a Latin Mass being so close to home. Thank you!! read more

Love St. Margarets church. I love how the mass is given here. I love the incents and the welcoming feel.

Gotta give my home parish 5 stars. The reverence for the mass keeps my family at this parish.

My sister is a parishioner of St. Margaret Church, so every time I come to visit her I attend at least one Mass, though I have participated in a meeting of the Legion of Mary group and Holy Week services. I find the parish and parishioners to be genuine. The Mass, whether celebrated in the Traditional Latin form or the Novus Ordo is reverent and provides an environment where one can enter into full conversation with God. At the same time the people are welcoming, and though Father Wallace might not always remember who exactly I am, he does recognize my face even though I only visit once or twice a year. St. Margaret Church is a wonderful church that invites people near or far to encounter Christ. read more

This church is beautiful. Time is not a factor for me because I enjoy listening to God's word. I feel more reverent toward God going to traditional mass. I like smelling the incense. The homilies are very educational and informative if you're interested in learning more about the faith. Very nice families there. read more

Yes this is a beautiful church, but the encounters that I have had with the staff and my latest experience has been less that helpful or friendly. Initially when I moved to Oceanside I wanted this church to be my home parish, but after registering to be a parishioner and trying to get paperwork for my wedding I was being told that we had not donated enough to the church it put a bitter taste in my mouth. I never received envelopes from the church and told that to the parish office. The staff was less than helpful with any questions I had about the wedding related questions I had and even had the nerve to tell me this wasn't even the parish closest to me and I should be attending the Mission and the Mission would have to help me with any paperwork I had. After about a year of not attending this parish we decided to give it another try due to the rain. My daughter is 3 and has lots of energy so we usually stand in the foyer there were a few chairs for parents with babies that were not being used. I sat down with my daughter and my husband and mother in law sat behind us. Promptly an usher came out and told us "Father only wants parents with babies to sit here." We got up and stood the rest of the mass while the chairs remained mostly empty only occupied by two people with children at different times. Needless to say I will not be going back to this church again. read more

Kevin, I feel so very sorry for you. I will pray for you. Christ is present in the mass. It is He we go to worship and receive. You think you are complaining about Father Wallace or the Church. However, you do not realize that you are complaining about the amount of time you are spending in the presence of Christ. Oh how you wound his Most Sacred Heart with your complaints. Perhaps you need to ask for more faith. Because you do not see Christ with your eyes, your ears and your senses, you do not recognize Him there. If He returned today and stood at the steps of Saint Margarets, how much trouble would you go through to be in His presence? How much time would you spend in His presence. If He came, I would go there and never leave. I feel the same way when I go to mass at Saint Margarets. I enter into heaven during mass and I never want to leave. The only consolation when I do is that I am taking Him with me. In me. The mass at Saint Margarets is the most sacred and reverent I have ever attended. The incense and chanting awakens my senses to discover that I am no longer in the world, but in the presence of God. Heaven and earth have come together. You are blind. You do not see Him present. You do not realize that you are in the midst of the saints, the angels and our Holy Mother. I am 38 years old with 3 young children. We drive 45 minutes to attend the 6:00 pm Tridentine Mass. Even my children recognize it's beauty. My 12, 9 and 6 year olds prefer the 1 1/2 hour Tridentine Mass and their behavior is better than when we attend the 1 hour Novus Ordo Mass. I see that you are young and your faith is stronger than mine was at your age so I don't mean to chastise you, but I desire holiness for you. May God bless you and may Padre Pio intercede for you. You know Saint Pio had the stigmata for 50 years. His wounds would bleed and he would go into ecstasy during the mass sometimes. Some people also complained that his masses would take several hours. Would we complain about the amount of time that it took Christ to die on the cross if we were sitting at His feet while He was suffering? read more