John Henry Newman

The canonization of John Henry Newman takes place on October 13th, 2019 in Rome.

Pope Benedict VVI said of John Henry Newman that he had “insights into the relationship between Faith and Reason… with a broadly-based and wide ranging approach to education.”  Cardinal Newman appealed for a well instructed laity “ho know what they hold and what they do not hold.”

The now famous prayer of John Henry Newman has a unique inspiration for a Church on mission today. The prayer reads:

God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.