2010-09-19 - Pope Benedict XVI declares John Henry Newman “Blessed”

Today, Pope Benedict XVI declares John Henry Newman “Blessed” which means that it is “worthy of belief” that this singularly numinous figure of the nineteenth century is in Heaven and able to intercede on behalf of those who invoke him in prayer. Beatification is the third act in the fourfold process of canonization. The final declaration of sanctity, declaring that the saint enjoys the Beatific Vision, universalizes devotion to the saint. Like Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Newman already has a wide circle of devotees.
     This beatification is of historic importance in a double way. First, Pope Benedict XVI is personally declaring the “Formula of Beatification” during his state visit to the United Kingdom. It is the first time that the Holy Father has himself performed a beatification, and he does so because of the influence Newman had on his own life. Secondly, while a feast day customarily marks the “dies natalis” or day of death and birth into heaven, the Pope is choosing as Newman’s feast day October 9, the day on which he was received into the Catholic Church in 1845 by the Passionist priest Dominic Barberi, who also is a Blessed. Newman is presented to the Church as a convert who embraced the fullness of the Faith after a long struggle of mind and heart. He would write:
     “For us Catholics, my brethren, while we clearly recognize how things are going with our countrymen, and while we would not acceler­ate the march of infidelity if we could help it, yet we are more desirous that you [Anglicans] should leave a false church for the true, than that a false church should hold its ground. For if we are blessed in converting any of you, we are effecting a direct, unequivocal, and sub­stan­tial benefit, which outweighs all points of expedience—the salvation of your souls.”
     While we anticipate our dedication of a shrine to Newman on September 23, it is fitting that this exemplary priest should be honored today when we pray for those preparing for the priesthood and offer a special collection for St. Joseph’s Seminary. Our parish is graced with many vocations. Last year our parishioner Father Druding celebrated his first Mass here. We now have four more young men in seminary and several are in the process of spiritual discernment. 
     Everyone has a vocation to holiness, according to one’s state in life. Like the Prodigal Son whose life was changed when he decided to return to the house of his Father, so are we summoned each day to a new conversion of intellect and will. This week we shall be singing several hymns written by Newman, and among them is a line he wrote during a severe fever on board a ship, which was also moment of crisis in his life:
     “I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.”