The following press release is available on the official Cause Website. I was anticipating that the arrangements may have to change slightly, and it seems that the new plan is much more appropriate given the lack of physical remains. As an apt commenter recently noted: "His work lives on in his writing and intercession and there is enough DNA in the mss of his letters to provide relics in abundance, if you need to have them".Picture: The brass Cardinal’s insignia from the coffin of John Henry Newman recovered from his grave at Rednal on 2 October 2008. Picture by Peter Jennings - copyright of the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory
We, after all, pray to the Saint in heaven, and ask for their assistance based on their position of favour with God; it is really little to do with what they leave behind. I must stress that the veneration of relics is not worship in itself, but a way of feeling close to the Church Militant, and something to spur us on in hope and faith. In this regard, I have always stood in awe at the artifacts already available in the Oratory House for inspection: Newman's original writings, his missal, his mitre, walking-stick, rosary etc. In a way, the vessel of our bodies has less permanance and importance than these items of devotion which persist and stand for something even more transcendant.
So now we are blessed to learn that over the period of 31 October - 2 November, there will be four bishops celebrating Mass at the Birmingham Oratory: including the Cardinal and primate of our country. I hope if you are able to be in Birmingham for this time, you will be able to attand these events and pay respects and prayers to the relics and artifacts which have been prepared for public veneration.
Also continue to pray for the successful progress of the cause of beatification in Rome.
Statement by Peter Jennings, Press Secretary to the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory and for the Cause of the Beatification and Canonisation of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890), Friday 10 October 2008:ARRANGEMENTS FOR A VIGIL OF RECEPTION
“I am able to announce that the remains of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) will be placed in a glass-sided casket in the Upper Cloister Hall at the Birmingham Oratory, on Friday 31 and Saturday 1 November 2008.
The remains will include locks of Cardinal Newman's hair, already in the possession of the Fathers of the Oratory, a small cross and clothing found in the grave, and some wood from the Cardinal’s original oak coffin.
Everything recovered from Cardinal Newman’s grave is presently in the care of one of the country’s leading specialists in conservation, the York Archaeological Trust, including the brass Cardinal’s insignia that decorated the top of the coffin.
The times during which visitors will have an opportunity to pray in the presence of the remains are 9.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Over these two days the following special Masses will be celebrated in the Oratory Church:
Friday 31 October at 8pm - Votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament, celebrated by Bishop William Kenney, CP, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham.
Saturday 1 November at 8 am - Votive Mass of Our Lady, celebrated by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster.
Saturday 1 November at 11 am - Votive Mass of St Philip Neri, celebrated by Bishop Philip Pargeter, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham.ARRANGEMENTS FOR MASS ON SUNDAY,
2 NOVEMBER 2008,
FEAST OF ALL SAINTS
“High Mass will be celebrated at the Birmingham Oratory at 11am on Sunday, November 2, the transferred Feast of All Saints. The celebrant will be the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham. The Very Reverend Paul Chavasse, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory and Postulator of the Newman Cause, will preach.
During this Mass the remains of John Henry Cardinal Newman will be solemnly placed in the Chapel of St Charles Borromeo, a friend of St Philip Neri, situated to the right of the Sanctuary. They will rest in the Chapel while the step by step process of Cardinal Newman's Beatification continues in Rome.
The meticulous exhumation of Cardinal Newman's grave at Rednal on Thursday 2 October 2008 did not recover any human remains. The Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory have decided that the specially made marble sarcophagus intended to receive Cardinal Newman's body will not now be placed in the church as originally planned.
It is disappointing, but understandable, that the marble sarcophagus meant for Cardinal Newman's remains won't be erected in the Birminghan Oratory. But I hope a place will be prepared for what was found. It is astonishing that the tassle survived so resiliently.
ReplyDeleteA minor point about the brass coffin furniture is a little ironic. I am sure the Gothic fittings were made by Hardman & Co, Pugin's metalworkers and glass-painters, among much else. Knowing Newman's aversion to Puginian Gothic in all forms surely it was anachronistic for the Oratorian Fathers to permit Gothic coffin furniture from such a source, clearly designed by Pugin himself and manufactured in large quantities thereafter? Doubtless Hardman's had arrangements with Birmingham Catholic undertakers.