Thursday, October 13, 2022

The Third Anniversary of Newman's Canonization

Father Juan Velez, author of several books--and one to be published soon by Catholic University of America Press--on Saint John Henry Newman, posts this reminder on his Newman website:

October 13, 2022, will mark three years since John Henry Newman’s canonization in 2019. We recall the wonderful Mass of canonization at St. Peter’s Square and the joy of the faithful during the celebration as well as the days before and after. The official recognition of Newman’s holiness has helped many people to become acquainted with this wise and holy priest and thinker.

Since the canonization, various groups and Oratories have promoted devotion to St. John Henry Newman. For instance, the St. Paul Catholic Newman Center in Fresno, California, has had a novena to Newman preceding October 9 which would normally be St. John Henry Newman’s liturgical memorial but this year falls on a Sunday.

People who have been introduced to Newman now pray to him for his intercession and ask others to pray to him for their needs, and God grants favors in response to their prayers.

The canonization has likely been the inspiration for conferences and events, and has encouraged authors to continue writing both popular and academic works on Newman and his vast literary output. . . .

Please read the rest there.

Father Velez suggests three ways of developing greater devotion to St. John Henry Newman:

1. Working more to spread the study and devotion of Newman at University Newman Centers.
2. Fostering devotion to Newman through Newman prayer groups and discussion groups, and
3. Praying that Newman’s feast day be made a memorial in the general liturgical calendar of the Church.

I would add one more:

4. Praying that Newman be named a Doctor of the Church!

On Sunday, October 16, I'll be participating in a Newman discussion group as I do every month, our local "Lovers of Newman" group, meeting at the IHM Convent in Colwich, Kansas. We will read aloud and discuss this Parochial and Plain sermon, "The Use of Saints' Days"!

Saint John Henry Newman, pray for us!

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