The alarm clock went off at 1:30 that Sunday morning (19th September). I got up slowly and made my way to the kitchen to get some breakfast. I later got myself fixed. As I was tidying up the kitchen, someone was knocking at the door. “It’s Bridget!”, said the lady in a very soft voice. Bridget Casey was our parish pilgrim coordinator who kindly offered me a lift to Becket School where all coaches in our diocese would be making their way to Cofton Park. It’s in this park where, hours later, the Holy Father would preside in the Mass and Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
It was obviously dark; the pavement was wet and it was cold. On the car was Mary Harris, a Eucharistic minister. We drove to Our Lady’s Church to meet fellow pilgrims who have been congregating in front of the church. Bridget went out to make a final check. She brought another fellow parishioner to her car, Pauline who lives “4 minutes away from the church” as she told us.
Becket School grounds were being filled up with cars, people, and coaches. I saw more fellow parishioners like Rita Connell and son John, her sister Jean Durkin, Maureen Hancock, Sr Francis, etc. The parish has been well represented; sadly Fr Paul was unable to make it being a Sunday.
Marshals have been deployed on almost all areas guiding people, announcing which buses have arrived, etc. We rode on Bus 8. Bridget introduced herself and welcomed all passengers – we shared the coach with parishioners from the Cathedral and Hucknall parishes. There was a Filipino couple on the same bus as I was.
An hour and a half or so, we arrived in Cofton Park. People from various parishes and dioceses across the country were processing to the venue – some where carrying their parish banners. I met a couple of Filipinos – who were in their jovial mood ready to see the Pope.
After passing through security checks, our group settled on a spot to the left of the aisle leading to the main stage – another stage has been allocated for some singers who soon led us in a handful of praise songs. Bishops too were at hand to lead us in prayer and in reflecting on some of Cardinal Newman’s writings. We may have been wet and feeling cold during that time, but our spirit was not dampened! From time to time, a priest (I would imagine) would go to the podium and welcome or motivate people in preparing for the Pope’s arrival and for the Eucharistic celebration. There were a number of big screens which showed what’s happening on stage as well as monitor the Pope’s travel to the park.
A moment of hush followed after. I closed my eyes and remembered my loved ones and everyone else who were not present in that occasion. Later I saw priests garbed in white marching down the aisle to the main stage. People were anticipating that the Holy Father would also pass that way. I had my camera ready and while waiting had a chat with or a smile at fellow Filipinos who came from other parts of the country. I saw banners and flags of various colours including a huge Filipino flag. There were two interesting banners. One said “B16 (short for Benedict XVI) es Petrus (literally “Benedict XVI is Peter” highlighting the Pope as St Peter’s successor.) Another one said “Omnes cum Petro” (“All with Peter”).
No sign of the Pope. Growing impatient, I went back to where our group was when suddenly the big screens showed the Pope riding on the Pope mobile which made its way on another route! People started to clap their hands or wave their flags. We saw how babies were brought near the Pontiff who in turn kissed and blessed these. As these things took place, one thing was noticeable – the drizzle stopped, the clouds gave way to the sun!
Mass followed shortly. When the Pope declared Cardinal Newman as “Blessed”, his portrait on stage was unveiled. The proclamation was met with a great round of applause. One of England’s sons has been raised to altars!
I was delighted to see Deacon Jack Sullivan proclaiming the Gospel that Sunday – his recovery from a debilitating illness was a miracle obtained from Cardinal Newman’s intercession, the miracle that has made Newman eligible for beatification.
The Pope’s homily began by underscoring that day as the Lord’s day, “when our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead and changed the course of human history for ever…” He then moved to cite what is more ‘local’ – the remembrance of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The Pope could relate very well with this occasion having “lived and suffered through the dark days of the Nazi regime…” Finally, he mentioned Cardinal Newman’s beatification as “…another, more joyful reason why this is an auspicious day for Great Britain..."
The Pope delved on Blessed John Henry's motto
Cor ad cor loquitur ("Heart speaks unto heart" which is the theme of his state visit). He said that this motto "gives us an insight into his (Blessed John Henry's) understanding of the Christian life as a call to holiness, experienced as the profound desire of the human heart to enter into communion with the Heart of God."
The Holy Father cited a reminder from this new blessed that faithfulness to prayer gradually transforms us into the divine likeness. The Gospel that Sunday conveyed that no one can be the servant of two masters. Benedict XVI told his listeners that Newman's teaching on prayer explains how faithful followers of Christ are taken into the service of our Lord. He went on by on quoting Newman: "I have my mission. 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...if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling."
Recalling the Pope's homily vis-a-vis Blessed John Henry's life and teachings, I kept asking myself: "When was the last time I really prayed from the heart?" I may have said prayers a hundred times, but have all these been 100% from my heart? I may have attended many Masses, said a thousand rosaries, but my mind might have been somewhere else. If I don't pray from the heart, I am like a withered plant deprived of water and all the nutrition I need!
And because prayer prods us to serve, I asked too: "When was the last time I really did something good out of love?" I may have given monetary contributions to charities or shared my 'excess goods' with those in need or participated in any parish celebration, but may have done so because of fame or false pride or just being 'one of the good guys'? (Incidentally, during the Papal visit I saw a huge and strange poster which said something like "You don't need God to be good".) if I serve without love, I'm like chaff that when ignited easily burns up! (Ningas-cogon as a Filipino cliche goes.)
I'm glad the Pope presented Cardinal Newman not as a theologian and an intellectual, but as a priest, as a pastor of souls. By doing so, he made it clear to all that holiness is achievable even in the most simplest of activities.
The Mass concluded with everyone felt being blessed to be in that once-in-a-lifetime event. For me, this was the first beatification ceremony I attended. The celebration was followed by song numbers from a Catholic secondary school in Birmingham to the audience's delight. I recall "Sway" and "Twist and Shout" to name a few. This occasion was a real
fiesta for this archdiocese and for the whole of England!
I'm pretty much sure that we all went home refreshed. Life goes on. Our mission continues - as individuals and as a community - inspired by Blessed John Henry, a man who was tested just like you and me, yet had a fruitful life. A man whose heart always sought God's very own.
