The London Oratory

www.bromptonoratory.com

 

Website last updated:  26 July 2010

 

In 1845 the distinguished English clergyman John Henry Newman was converted from Anglicanism to what he himself called "the one true fold of the Redeemer" – the Catholic Church. He was then ordained as a Catholic priest and brought the Congregation of the Oratory of St.Philip Neri from Rome to England.  He founded the Birmingham Oratory in February 1848, and then asked Father Wilfrid Faber to establish the London Oratory in May 1849.

 

In 1879 Father Newman was created Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. Cardinal Newman continued to live at the Birmingham Oratory until his death on 11^th August 1890.

 

In 1991 the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints declared that John Henry Newman had  practiced the virtues to an heroic degree and he was proclaimed 'Venerable'.

 

In July 2009 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI approved the authenticity of a miracle worked by God through the intercession in heaven of the Venerable John Henry Newman, thereby opening the way for his beatification.

 

Pope Benedict is making a state visit to Britain in September this year, and on Sunday 19^th September His Holiness will beatify Cardinal Newman.

 

Beatification means that the Church confirms that the Servant of God is in heaven, among the ranks of the Blessed, that he has attained the Beatific Vision of God, and his intercession may be invoked by the faithful on earth. 

 

After the Papal Mass in Birmingham on Sunday 19^th September, Cardinal Newman will be honoured and invoked as 'Blessed John Henry Newman'.

 

In thanksgiving to Almighty God, and in honour of His servant Cardinal Newman, the Fathers of the London Oratory have obtained permission to build a new altar here in our church – the design is pictured above. It is hoped that this new altar will be blessed at a special Mass of thanksgiving  on Wednesday 22^nd September,  6.30pm,  three days after the Beatification.

 

The new altar, designed by the Oratory's architect Russell Taylor, is to be built of stone and scagliola. The new communion rails will be of carved wood.

 

The words to be carved on the altar's gradine are from Newman's funeral plaque at the Birmingham Oratory:

 

EX  UMBRIS  ET  IMAGINIBUS  IN  VERITATEM

[OUT OF SHADOWS AND IMAGES INTO THE TRUTH]

 

The cost of this new altar will be £109,020 (one hundred and nine thousand and twenty pounds).

 

If you would like to contribute to the building of this altar, please send your donations to:

The Provost,  The Oratory,  Brompton Rd.  London,  SW7 2RP.

Cheques: "London Oratory Charity".    The Oratory is a Registered Charity:  No.240702.