Canonisation of John Henry Newman

Cardinal John Henry Newman will be canonised as a new saint of the Catholic Church on this Sunday October 13th by Pope Francis in Rome. A saint is a man or woman who is recognised as having an outstanding degree of holiness, likeness or closeness to God.

Saints are made by official Church declaration or by popular acclamation (a folk saint). Newman may fit into both categories because of the impact he made on the teachings of the Catholic Church and the popular appeal of his devotional writings. Many of his prayers and hymns are very familiar to us and are part of the treasure of our faith for many generations.

Prayer for Perseverance

Perhaps Newman’s most famous prayer of all is the much–loved prayer for perseverance:

May Christ support us all the day long

till the shades lengthen

and the evening comes

and the busy world is hushed

and the fever of life is over

and our work is done.

Then in his mercy

may he give us a safe lodging

a holy rest

and peace at last.

Amen.