Thanksgiving Novena
and Preparation for the
Canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
The Journey to Sainthood
“I have a part in this great work, I am a link in a chain.”
I know there are some of you, “Newmanites” here with me. So let us join our prayerful hands, with those faithful, all over the world, who are preparing to celebrate the Canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman on Sunday 13 October. This is a time of special grace for us to form links in a great chain of prayer, where we call upon the soon-to-be-Saint to crown our prayers with his intercession in heaven.
I encourage you to become part of this chain by joining in the Novena with Newman – nine days of prayerful preparation for the Canonisation, starting on tomorrow, Friday 4 October and finishing on Saturday 12 October on the eve of the Canonisation.
The novena highlights each day an aspect of Newman’s character – an example of humility, child of Mary, priest of God’s altar, man of prayer, guardian of conscience, counsellor of converts, educator of the laity, servant of the Church, and model of friendship. These meditations by the new saint will lead us to a more personal loving conversation with God. They can be a very good preparation for his Canonisation and ultimately for heaven, calling to mind that we are on a journey to God. We can also simply say – Saint Newman, help me from heaven to better follow and love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Each day of the Novena includes an intention, an extract from his writings, a decade of the rosary and the Novena prayer.
AnaStpaul 