John Henry Newman

Newman's distinguished life spanned most of the nineteenth century during which he exerted a profound influence on both the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church. He was a seminal figure in the Oxford Movement.

He was received into the Catholic Church at Littlemore by Blessed Dominic Barberi on 9 October 1845. Then, as a priest in the Catholic Church, he established the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Birmingham, was the first Rector of the Catholic University in Dublin, and was made Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879.

His extensive published writings and private correspondence continue to provide insight, inspiration and encouragement to a global audience. 

He was declared Venerable on 22  January 1991, then, on 19 September 2010 during his visit to Britain, Pope Benedict XVI declared him Blessed at a Mass at Cofton Park, Birmingham.

You can read the homily preached by Pope Benedict XVI at Cofton Park

The canonisation of Newman came following confirmation of a second miracle associated with the intercession of John Henry Newman. You can read more about this news by clicking on to the following report on the Catholic Herald Website:

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/01/22/vatican-investigates-second-miracle-attributed-to-blessed-john-henry-newman/#.VwJVtovn2L0.email

Father Peter Cornwell, Newman scholar and Clifton priest, introduces us to the great Englishman whose ministry touched so many people. These podcasts were prepared and broadcast in the run up to Pope Benedict's visit to Britain in 2010 and the Beatification of Newman.

Father Peter has a particular insight into Cardinal Newman as he followed in Newman's footsteps as Vicar of Newman’s old church in Oxford - the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

You can listen by clicking on to the MP3 icon next to each title or download the five-part series.

Dominic Barberi Dominic Barberi (1792 – 1849) was born in Viterbo, Italy to a farming family. As a young man he developed a great love for England and its people. He prayed for England constantly, and even offered himself to God for its conversion.

In the summer of 1814 he entered the Passionist Novitiate and began his training for the religious life. It soon became apparent that he had a brilliant mind which was eventually to lead to his being appointed professor of both philosophy and theology. In his early years as a Passionist it was made known to him in prayer that he should preach the word of God in Northern Europe, and especially in England.

Despite his longing to move to England he was convinced that if God wanted it to happen, then God would provide the right opportunity. Dominic was appointed both Superior and eventually Provincial (major superior) of several Italian communities. But he accepted all these appointments (or set-backs) as being God’s will.

Finally, after many disappointments he travelled to Belgium where he established a Passionist community. It was not until Guy Fawkes day in 1840 that he finally arrived in England. He was shocked by the anti-Catholic situation he encountered, and was more amazed to see so little enthusiasm for the faith he had come to proclaim. He had been led to believe that England was on the cusp of mass conversion!

Dominic established the first Passionist community at Aston in Staffordshire. Here he was given a hostile reception by non-Catholics, while members of his own flock were prejudiced against him as a foreigner in a strange black habit. But such was his goodness and concern for everyone, irrespective of their religious denomination, that he was eventually welcomed by everyone. In his preaching parish missions he was extremely effective, often making large numbers of converts; this despite the fact that he spoke with a very heavy Italian accent which at times was almost impossible to understand.

Dominic was the father and herald of modern ecumenism, having a great love and respect for the good faith of his non-Catholic brethren.  John Henry Newman specifically arranged for Dominic to receive him into the Church, ahead of which he wrote in a letter:

“Father Dominic the Passionist is passing this way on his way from Aston in Staffordshire to Belgium. He is to come to Littlemore for the night as a guest of one of us whom he has admitted at Aston. He does not know of my intentions, but I shall ask of him admission into the one true fold of the Redeemer.”

Dominic died 27 August 1849 in The Railway Tavern, Reading worn out by his ceaseless labours. He was fifty-seven years old; he had spent 34 years as a Passionist, and had worked in England for 8 years; and yet most of his life had been offered to God for England. He is buried in Sutton, St. Helens and was beatified in 1963.

For more about the Shrine at St Helens go to: http://passionists-uk.org/passionist-shrine/