Today we celebrate the fifth anniversary of John Henry Newman’s canonization which took place on October 13, 2019.
We raise our mind and hearts to God in thanksgiving for the holy life and wisdom of Newman. God is glorified in his saints. A canonization is a magisterial declaration of the lived holiness of a man or woman. It is a recognition that this person has given glory to God, and serves as an example for all of us. We rejoice with the saints, and join them in giving praise to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Thousands of pilgrims gathered at St. Peter’s Square on that October day of 2019. It was a sunny Fall day. People from all the continents gathered with Pope Francis, cardinals, bishops and many priests for the Mass of canonization. We were privileged witnesses of the canonization of four woman (Maria Thresia, Marguerite Bays, Giuseppina Vanni, and Dulce Lopes) and one man: John Henry Newman.
For those of us who have studied Newman teachings for many years, it was surprisingly hard to believe that “this was real;” that it was not an expected dream. There is confusion, error and suffering in the world, and we forget to see Christ passing by in every Christian, and in a special way in his saints, Padre Pio, Josemaría Escrivá, Mother Theresa, John Paul II, Alvaro del Portillo, and others. This is not the moment to recall the many teachings of John Henry Newman. In our short podcasts we try to comment on some of them found in his many sermons and other writings. It is principally a day of thanksgiving.
After the Mass, some of us walked to the Propaganda Fidei College, the seminary where Newman lived and studied for some months in 1846 prior to his ordination to the priesthood on May 30, 1847. There we heard then Prince Charles address a gathering of guests praising the life of John Henry Newman.
Afterwards a smaller group went on a waking tour of various places in Rome associated with the life of Newman such as the Palazzo Maffei Marescotti where he delivered the famous Biglietto Speech, the Venerable English College, and St. Giorgio in Velabro, his titular church in Rome where we heard some of his poems put to music. In the various places a trained speaker read fragments from the Biglietto Speech and other texts by Newman.
Let us ask God some favor today through the intercession of St. John Henry. And let us pray for a growth in faith, hope, and charity, and for prudence, and wisdom.
Source: cardinaljohnhenrynewman.com
