John Henry Newman will be beatified by Pope Benedict XVI at Cofton Park, Rednal, a stone’s throw from the Oratory House at Rednal and the cemetery where he was buried among his own Oratorian brothers. The Holy Father, and those taking part in the beatification, will have a real experience of the place where Newman, his community, the people of the Oratory parish and the children in the schools came for rest and recreation. (Though it will be rather more crowded than they ever knew it!)
After the beatification, Pope Benedict will make a private visit to the Birmingham Oratory where he will be the first pilgrim to pray in the new shrine to Blessed John Henry, before seeing the rooms where he lived and visiting an exhibition of Newman’s original manuscripts and personal possessions.
Newman himself said, when he was made Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII “the cloud is lifted for ever.” This signal honour, of a personal beatificaton by the Pope and a visit to Newman’s house must surely put the seal on that sentiment.
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