Blessed John Henry Newman
Jul 26th, 2006 by Fr. Joshua
During old age, Newman continued in Birmingham, quietly writing, preaching and counseling (from the age of twenty-three he had been above all a pastor – ‘a father of souls’) until, when seventy-eight, a big surprise came. As a tribute to his extraordinary work and devotion, Pope Leo XIII made the unprecedented gesture of naming Newman, an ordinary priest, a cardinal. After a life of trials the news came as a joyful relief and Newman declared, ‘the cloud is lifted for ever’. Cardinal Newman died on 11th August 1890 and received a universal tribute of praise. The London Times wrote: ‘whether Rome canonizes him or not he will be canonized in the thoughts of pious people of many creeds in England.’ The Cork Examiner affirmed that, ‘Cardinal Newman goes to his grave with the singular honor of being by all creeds and classes acknowledged as the just man made perfect.’
John Henry Newman was declared “blessed” in Birmingham by Pope Benedict XVI during his state visit to England and Scotland on September 19, 2010, indicating Newman’s extraordinary sanctity of life and his place in the court of heaven interceding for the Church.
