Join us for Solemn Vespers, Saturday 19 October, to celebrate the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and one of Churches Together in England’s Presidents, warmly invites you to a service of Solemn Vespers to celebrate the Canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
Venue: The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Precious Blood, Westminster (42 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QW)
Date: Saturday 19 October 2019 at 3:30pm
Details: Free admission up to the capacity of the Cathedral, ticket not required, seating from 2:45pm
Preacher: The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, one of CTE’s Presidents.
Extending this invitation on behalf of Cardinal Nichols, Rev Canon John O’Toole, National Ecumenical Officer and Secretary to the Dept of Dialogue & Unity for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, says:
“John Henry Newman is already Blessed John Henry Newman, and will be canonised (along with others) by Pope Francis in St Peter’s, Rome, on Sunday 13 October 2019.
“Like St Oscar Romero, John Henry Newman is truly a ‘saint for all Christians’ and we pray that his canonisation will draw Christians closer to Christ and each other in unity, faith and love.”
Newman was formerly a Church of England priest, before becoming a Catholic in 1845. As The Tablet reports, he founded the Oratory in England and was later made a cardinal, and more than 15,000 people lined the streets in Birmingham for his funeral after he died aged 89. He is the first English person who has lived since the 17th century to be recognised as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Read Bishop Byrne's full homily from the pontifical Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving for Saint John Henry Newman.
Academic symposium celebrating St John Henry Newman and his contribution to Christian life
