Sunday 21 February 2010

The Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman . . .

Today was a day of Special Prayer for the Beatification of The Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman. We prayed for this at Rosary and Benediction this afternoon, beginning with his beautiful hymn, 'Praise to the Holiest in the height'

Here is an excellent resumé of his life taken from the website of The Newman Cause. If you would like to learn more about this exemplary man, please follow the link here.

"John Henry Newman was born in London on 21 February 1801, and died in Birmingham on 11 August 1890.

As Vicar of St Mary’s Oxford he exerted a profound spiritual influence on the Church of England. After joining the Catholic Church in 1845, he brought the Oratory of St Philip Neri to England, was the first Rector of the Catholic University in Dublin, and was made Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879.

Through his extensive published writings and private correspondence he created a greater understanding of the Catholic Church and its teachings, helping many persons with their religious difficulties. At his death he was praised for his unworldliness, humility, and prayerful contact with the invisible world.

He was declared Venerable on 22 January 1991."

PS. We had a lovely crowd at Rosary and Benediction this afternoon. Let's see if we can make it 'standing room only' next week!

John Henry Cardinal Newman, pray for us.

1 comment:

Cindy said...

Rosary and Benediction was beautiful on Sunday. There is a very special atmosphere in our church on these occasions - to describe it simply as 'prayerful' somehow seems inadequate.

For anyone who's never been along to this devotion before, I would heartily recommend that this is the Lent that you 'give it a go'.