Rome, 2 September 2019
Dear Newman Friends,
Two months ago, we were able to share the joyful news about Newman’s Canonisation with you. The preparations for this beautiful day are going on well. You can find out much more about it, including the events scheduled for and around that day as well as a multitude of interesting blogs, films, pictures, etc. on the website: www.newmancanonisation.com. This useful tool is maintained by the English Oratories, who are the main organizers of the Canonisation.
As a gift to our Newman friends on occasion of the proclamation of Newman’s sainthood on 13 October 2019, we send you a compelling talk by Bishop Philip Boyce OCD entitled “John Henry Newman: The Birth and Pursuit of an Ideal of Holiness”.
Last but not least, we want to inform you that a world-wide Newman Novena will take place from the fourth to the twelfth of October 2019. Newman friends are invited to join in prayer, thanking God for the life of Cardinal Newman and asking his intercession for the growth and strengthening of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church whom he served so selflessly and fervently as well as for your personal intentions. We cordially invite you to join us and many Newman friends throughout the world for this nine-day prayer. A text for this Novena is in preparation and will be found on the above mentioned website.
Rejoicing in the upcoming canonisation of Newman, we send you best greetings “cor ad cor”
Fr. Hermann Geissler, F.S.O. Sr. Mary-Birgit Dechant, F.S.O.