Today at the Birmingham Oratory we celebrated the 117th anniversary of the death of John Henry Cardinal Newman. This is an annual event, with sung Mass and refreshments, for the cause of his beatification.John Henry Newman was born in 1801 into a church of England family. He earned for himself great reputation by becoming a protestant clergyman in Oxford, but later, in 1833, he began the Oxford Movement, which was a controversial attempt to steer the English Church in the correct direction. Eventually, in 1839, he realised whilst studying the early Church Fathers, that the Truth of the Faith subsisted elsewhere, and that his own church resembled more of a heretical sect the likes of which had been thoroughly condemned by orthodox Christianity. Eventually, in 1845, he was received into the Roman Catholic Church by Passionist Priest Blessed Dominic Barbari. He went on to follow the Spiritual Path of St Philip Neri, and established the English congregation of the Oratorians in Birmingham. Pope Leo XIII named him a Cardinal age 78. He died August 11th 1890 receiving a universal tribute of praise from all quarters. His funeral procession from the Oratory down to his burial site in Rednal was lined by thousands of people. As The Times wrote: "whether Rome canonises him or not, he will be canonised in the thoughts of pious people of many creeds in England".
The celebrant of today's Mass, Fr Gregory Winterton, remarked on this occasion that it would probably be the last time we had such an event before his actual beatification! What a wonderful day that will be, God willing. The preacher today was Fr Daniel Seward of the Oxford Oratory, who gave some special insights into why this is such a special thing; It is the Cardinal's personal holiness which is such an example for us, over and above all the wonderful and intellectual writings he has given us.
This year there is a newly released production, in special library case, together with a glossy booklet, all about the life of this saintly Englishman. A remarkable Priest, Poet and Thinker - The Kindly Light captures this in sound over 3 CDs. The documentary has been recorded on location in Birmingham, London, Oxford, Littlemore and Rednal. It includes the Birmingham Oratorians (The Very Revd Paul Chavasse and The Rev Fr Guy Nichols, who speaks Newman's words), The Revd Dr Michael Lang (of the London Oratory), The Sisters of the Work at Littlemore, members of staff at Trinity College, Oxford, and Bishop Geoffrey Rowell (an Anglican Newman scholar).The RRP on this is just £10, but if you can't get hold of it at a piety stall near you, simply call the publisher 01455 845211 quoting Lacrimarum Valle!
GOD OUR FATHER, Your servant John Henry Newman upheld the Faith by his teaching and example.
May his loyalty to Christ and the Church, his love for the immaculate Mother of God, and his compassion for the perplexed give guidance to the Christian people today.
We beg You to grant the favours we ask through his intercession, so that his holiness may be recognised by all and the Church may proclaim him a saint.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
This is wonderful news. It's about time Cardinal Newman was beatified and I hope the final hurdles will soon be jumped.
ReplyDeleteI was horrified recently when, eavesdropping on the conversation of two priests on a train, one said that when Cardinal Newman's body was last exhumed the position of the corpse suggested that he might have been buried alive. Perhaps you should attend the next exhumation, this time for the purpose of taking relics, to see if there is any truth in this rumour. Joee Blogs could accompany you to give a further medical opinion.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe this is true. Didn't he lie in state for some time before burial? I have spoken to a coroner and he tells me that, during decomposition, corpses release gasses that can sometimes cause movement. What a horrible thought, but that might explain the position if suspicions were raised. Perhaps you can find out, Matt, and tell us?
ReplyDeleteHas this been announced elsewhere, too? Newman will likely be beatified within the year? Or did I misunderstand what you wrote about Fr. Winterton's remarks?
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been there for that Mass; I greatly enjoy Fr. Seward's preaching.
Remember: you heard it here first, on Larimarum Valle!
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know the Cardinal has never been exhumed. It will have to be done if the Beatification is approved.
ReplyDeleteI have asked the Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, the Very Reverend Paul Chavasse,about Gretel Kung's comment re the last time Cardinal Newman was exhumed. Father Paul says that the Cardinal's grave has not been opened since he was buried in 1890. As Father Paul is the Postulator for the Cardinal's Cause I am much more inclined to believe what he says over the gossip of two priests on a train.
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