Shadows and Images into Truth

The last few weeks have been most interesting and historical for the Church.  The most significant event was the Holy Father's visit to Britain and the beatification of Blessed John Henry Newman.  When I was racking my brains for a name for the blog, Blessed John Henry's epitaph came to mind, "Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem": "Out of shadows and images into truth", so I have "christened" the blog in honour of him and ask his intercession for its success. Of course the epitaph also sums up our work as Christians in these times, and indeed the work of the Fraternity of St Genesius: in proclaiming the Gospel we seek to be led ourselves, and to lead others, out of the shadows and images of this world to the Truth who is Jesus Christ.

Blessed John Henry was an interesting man and you probably know alot about him already. Being Irish we have a certain regard for him because he sought to establish a Catholic University here.  Unfortunately he had a very difficult time, and was hampered in much of his work thanks to certain figures in the Church in Ireland who were afraid of losing power and control. Some would say all his efforts ended in failure. Despite that Blessed John Henry nurtured a great regard for the ordinary people of Ireland and encouraged them in the practice of their Catholic faith - something we need to hear in these difficult times.   Newman House in Dublin is associated with him.  And thanks to him Dublin has one of the most beautful Byzantine style churches in the west, University Church in St Stephen's Green.  Blessed John Henry designed the church himself and it remains as a serene testament to his faith and his good taste!

Church of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom (Newman's University Church), Dublin



Newman was also the one who brought the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins into the Church.  Hopkins had been deeply influenced by the Oxford Movement when he was in University, and it was the holiness of Blessed John Henry that helped the young poet make the move into the Catholic Church.  Newman also brought Hopkins to work in Ireland: at this stage Hopkins was a Jesuit priest and he was appointed by Newman as Professor of Greek Literature at the new University.  Unfortunately, he did not get on too well here either, part of this may have been due to some mental health issues.  Hopkins died in Dublin and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.

I am hoping that the Irish Bishops will petition Rome to allow us celebrate Blessed John Henry's feast here in Ireland.  According to the norms the feast of a Beatus is celebrated only in their local diocese, country or order, but other dioceses can petition Rome for permission to have the feast extended there if there is a good reason to do so.  The Irish Church has a strong case for Blessed John Henry, and at the end of the day it only takes a decision at a meeting of the Episcopal Conference and a letter being sent to the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments.   I know a few priests who could draft that letter in their sleep and I would even cover the cost postage.  Registered mail, of course!