Beatification of Cardinal Newman

Beatification of John Henry, Cardinal Newman

of the Oratory

  The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has formally approved a miracle granted by God at the the intercession of the Ven. John Henry Newman.

Deacon Jack Sullivan, from Boston, USA,was healed from a serious debility of the spine after asking the intercession of Cardinal Newman in 2001.

“The prayers of Christ’s faithful all over the world have now been answered”, said Fr Paul Chavasse, the Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, which Newman founded. “The Holy Father’s decision is one of great significancefor the whole Church. I pray that Newman, by the example of his life and the depth of his teaching, will be received as an authentic guide for Catholics everywhere.

“It is surely providential that the Beatification of this great English theologian will occur in the pontificate of Benedict XVI, a major theologian in his own right, whom Cardinal Newman has influenced profoundly.”

In 1991 Pope John Paul II recognised the herocially virtuous life  of Cardinal Newman, and granted him the title ‘Venerable’. He will continue to be called ‘the  Venerable Servant of God’ until the solemn ceremony at which he is beatified or decared ‘Blessed’.

The Catholic Church believes that God works miracles through Christ, at the  intercession of people in heaven. For someone to be proclaimed ‘Blessed’ his or her intercession must be judged responsible for a miracle on earth, which must be  a physical healing. In the case of martyrs, their death for the Faith alone suffices for Beatification. A panel of doctors has to rule that the healing is scientifically inexplicable, while theologians examine whether it occurred as the result of the person whose Beatification is being considered. If the doctors and theologians judge the case positively, it is then examined by the Cardinals and Bishops of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The results of these discussions are communicated to  the Pope who alone can declare a healing to be a true miracle. Only when all these stages have been successfully completed does the Pope authenticate the miracle. A second miracle has be be recognised for a person to be canonised, that is declared  to be a Saint.

Jack Sullivan, the permanent deacon who was healed at Newman’s intercession, said, “Upon hearing of the recent developments in Rome regarding Cardinal Newman’s Cause for Beatification, I was left with an intense sense of gratitude and thanksgiving to Almighty God and my intercessor Cardinal John Henry Newman. I have dedicated my vocation in praise of Cardinal Newman, who even now directs all my efforts.”

In the Archdiocese of Birmingham, the Diocesan Administrator Bishop William Kenny, said, “I am delighted to hear that the Beatification of Cardinal Newman will take place. This is an opportunity for a real renewal of spirit among Catholics and many others, not least here in the city of Birmingham.”

The Archbishop of Westminster, his Grace Vincent Nicholls, said, “I am delighted to learn this news, which will be warmly welcomed by Catholics around the world. To have Cardinal Newman among the Blessed is an occasion of great thankfulness to the Lord and of great pride to those associated with him in Birmingham and Oxford. I am sure he will help greatly in the task of protecting the Faith amidst the difficulties he foresaw so clearly.”

In Rome, the Procurator General of the Oratory Confederation, Fr Edoardo Cerrato, said, ” On behalf of the eighty two houses of the Oratory of St Philip Neri, Newman’s own Congregation, I welcome this decision with joy and look forward to the ceremony of Beatification with great anticipation.”

Where and when the Beatification will take place have yet to be decided. Fr Chavasse explained that the cost of the ceremony is to be covered by the free-will offerings of the faithful. He added, “I appeal to everyone who has desired and prayed for Newman’s Beatification to make a donation to help.”

We are particularly delighted at the Holy Name as we were able to supply a relic of Cardinal Newman, which is housed in a beautiful reliquary at the Oratory church in Birmingham. This relic will be presented at the ceremony of Beatification, either to the Holy Father or his representative. In due couse a small portion of the relic will be returned to Manchester for the public veneration of the faithful.

At this time, we ask with great confidence at the intercession of Cardinal Newman, that we may soon be erected as a Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip.

In thanksgiving there will be a Solemn ‘Te Deum’ sung after the Solemn Mass at 11 am, Sunday 5th July.