THE P RTAL
June 2011 Page 5
But what was to be the next step ? In February 1846 he moved to Birmingham , to Maryvale and the Oratory .
Birmingham Oratory
The buildings at Littlemore were used as a printing press for a time by Charles Marriott a friend of Newman ’ s , before being sold to the Church of England . They became Alms Houses for about one hundred years , a school and a reading room . In 1950 they came up for auction . Birmingham Oratory bought them and gradually started to restore them . In 1960 they were opened to the public . The Oratory were surprised at how many people came . Priests came and said Mass , and many visitors were from oversees .
The Work
The Work had done a great deal to make John Henry Newman known . Sister Bianca said , “ We started the library and introduced the Blessed Sacrament to the Oratory here .”
Jackie and I were interested to know why The Work was so interested in John Henry Newman . The Sisters told us that Mother Julian felt that it was God ’ s will that the Order become involved . In the 1960s she had studied some of Newman ’ s writing and had read about him . She recognised a kindred spirit . “ My soul has found a Brother ,” she said . Sister Mary said , “ We have always found it is God ’ s providence that has brought us this far and brought us here ”. Mother Julian died in 1997 .
Love for the Church
The Sisters told us “ Love for the Church is important for our Charism .” This was true for Newman too . Now The Work at Littlemore spreads the love for the Church through Newman . Therefore being at Littlemore is very important . “ We live the mystery of the Church . The College is not just a museum , but a living Community ,” we were told . The Sisters know that Littlemore is an international place , and also know that having an international presence is important too .
We were interested to know what a nineteenth centenary theologian had to say to the people of the twentieth centenary . The good Sisters said that one example was that he led an holy life . Indeed that is why he is beautiful and why he has been Beatified now . He is an example .
Of course Newman wrote for his time , but also for the future . He experienced Liberalism in religion . He saw that it would be hard to follow the truth and the voice of God . He had the courage to do things and he found great peace . This is encouraging to both cradle Catholics and converts alike . Newman tells us “ To believe the truth and to live that truth ”.
Another example of love for the Church came from Sister Mary . She said , “ To love the Church , but not in a naive way . Newman saw many weaknesses in the Catholic Church , but he never wavered in his love for the Church . He gave a positive answer to the negatives he saw in the Church . We must do the same .
Of course Newman was very wise . He might confide difficulties to a friend , but never in public .
Prayer and study
“ John Henry Newman made Littlemore a place of prayer and study ,” Sister Mary continued . “ We offer that to others . Many who come here find an answer to their prayers . We have a few rooms for guests . If people wish to come they just write to us or phone or e-mail . The Cottages are self-contained for self catering , or the Sisters may provide simple meals . There are also places to eat in the village . Guests share the Divine Office and Mass , and we charge reasonable prices .”
The Portal is , of course , an on-line magazine for the laity in the Ordinariate , for members of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion , as well as our Catholic friends . We wondered if there ought to be a special relationship between Littlemore and the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham , bearing in mind Blessed John Henry Newman is our patron . Sister Mary enthused , “ So many know about Newman , but do not know Newman . It is important that members of the Ordinariate , lay and clerical , visit where Newman lived and pray where he prayed .”
The Sisters pray for the Ordinariate and for those in the Ordinariate . They were keen to tell us “ John Henry Newman has so much to offer , himself a convert . These journeys are important , but it is not always an easy journey . It is significant that the Ordinariate began at the same time as the Beatification .”
To find out more about the Sisters and the College at Littlemore see page 15 of this issue or go to :
www . newmanfriendsinternational . org / newman /