“Mark my words,” our holy father St Philip once said, “if you live long enough, you will see me hanged like a common criminal in this city of Rome.” This rather startling statement eventually made sense to those of his congregation who were still alive in May 1615, when the banner for his Beatification was suspended from a balustrade at St Peter’s basilica. Those who managed to survive another seven years would see him “hanged” once again at his Canonisation.
Last month, many of us looked up in wonder and joy at the magnificent banner of our saint-to-be John Henry Newman, as it flapped in the breeze high above the papal throne in St Peter’s Square. It was touching to see that the portrait chosen did not depict him in the splendid robes of a cardinal, but rather in his simple Oratorian habit. Newman may be described as many things – a prophet, a scholar, a great prelate, and one of the greatest polemicists of his age. And we can be sure that his path to sainthood began long before his reception into what he called “the One True Fold of the Redeemer” in 1845. But it was ultimately as a son of St Philip that he persevered unto death in his baptismal grace, and was brought ever closer to perfection by the cultivation of that spirit of self-mortification that made his virtue heroic.
All of the celebrations in Rome attracted great crowds. At the end of the beautiful prayer vigil at St Mary Major’s on the evening Saturday 12 October there was hardly a dry eye in the Basilica as we recessed out singing Newman’s Lead Kindly Light. The atmosphere at the Mass of Canonisation the following morning was one of profound prayerfulness and gratitude, and was greatly enhanced by the singing of the London Oratory Schola, which carried hearts and minds to God at all of the celebrations in Rome. At a reception after the Canonisation the Prince of Wales paid tribute to our new saint in words that acknowledged the plight of the Catholic Church “in a land in which it had once been uprooted”, and expressed gratitude to the Catholic community in Britain “for its immeasurably valuable contribution to our country’s life.”
In the formal act of Canonisation, the Successor of St Peter declared that “for the honour of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic Faith, and the increase of the Christian life”, he was invoking the authority invested in the papal office by our Lord Jesus Christ to inscribe John Henry Newman in the roll call of the saints and decreeing that henceforth he is to receive veneration from the whole Church. To those who have long held a devotion to St John Henry, this solemn declaration might have seemed like something of a rubber stamping – the official recognition of something we have long believed, that Newman has been in Heaven all along. But this is to underestimate the magnitude of the gift that Canonisation is to the Church. With St John Henry raised to the altars for universal veneration, we can be confident that the full fruits of his intercession are yet to be seen.
Undoubtedly, St John Henry’s earthly achievements have enriched our Catholic culture. Take the trouble to read his work carefully and we find that he brings clarity and light at a time when there is so much confusion and darkness. His precision of intellect is a powerful antidote to the tyranny of emotionalism which currently reigns supreme. But it is on the supernatural level that we should now expect him to work the greatest wonders. Both of the subjects of his verified miracles played an active part in the ceremonies in Rome. We should pray that he will continue to work miracles, in the Church, in our own personal lives, and in the lives of our loved ones.
Those of us who were fortunate to be present for the Canonisation in Rome were delighted to hear that the Sunday High Mass back at the ranch in Brompton was packed to the doors. On the following Thursday we were greatly blessed with the presence His Eminence Vincent Cardinal Nichols, who has been such a strong advocate for the cause of Newman’s Canonisation, and who celebrated a Pontifical High Mass of Thanksgiving in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio, many clergy and another full congregation. On both occasions a solemn Te Deum was sung, and at the end of the Pontifical Mass the Cardinal blessed us with St John Henry’s relic.
On All Saints day, we should give thanks in our hearts that the Church has given us a new advocate at the Throne of Grace. In any monarchy it is always a blessing to have friends at court. The special patrons of the London Oratory include Our Lady, the Queen of Heaven, our holy father St Philip, and now St John Henry, the first Father of our congregation in London. May they intercede for the Oratory and for the extended family that worships with us and supports us. We have much to be grateful for, and as gratitude is the father of generosity, let us be especially benevolent throughout November in the prayers that we offer, and in the Masses we have celebrated, for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Father Julian Large