Saint John Henry Newman
On the 13th October 2019 a truly amazing Man was Canonised in Rome by His Holiness Pope Francis. A Man with a great Love of God and a great Love of the people, especially in Birmingham. Two essentials of a preistly vocation. We are truly honoured to have a Saint so close to home, one that we can call on in prayers and physcially trace the footsteps of in our own city. From a Priest to a Cardinal is some miracle. A Poet and Musician pulls my strings straight away, with a kindly Heart, open to the Spirit.
It wasn’t until the 1800s and the Industrial Revolution, the consumption became a widespread epidemic; it’s now known as tuberculosis, or TB. It was and is a highly contagious disease, mainly of the lungs. John Henry Newman served the sick of Edgbaston & Birmingham with out fear of infection.
Lead Kindly Light and the Dream of Gerontious are two of his famous works and the hymn Praise to Holiest in the Height are my favourites for inspiration. His poems and mediations are an excellant read. I’m currently reading Apologia Pro Sua Vita. I wonder how many Gallons of Ink the Saint went through?……..
On the Saturday 12th October 2019, at St Marys College Oscott I joined the Seminarians at the Vigil of Praise & Worship in Preparation for the Canonisation. On Sunday 13th October 2019, Vespers and a Special Homily on the Second Spring from the Very Pulpit the Saint had delivered on July 13th 1852 by Canon David Oakley and completing my Sunday Rosary for the sick & suffering. The College sat under a beautiful chilly sunset, with halconic hues and twinklings stars pushing my thoughts towards Christmas and Leading home some Kindly Light to Fox hollies. Peace Thank God as I drove home. Saint John Henry Newman Pray for Us.
