Tagged - Dominicans Spotted at Papal Events

In Birmingham on Sunday 19th September ...

Brother Oliver, freshly clothed novice, and Robert Verrill OP from Oxford

Brother Matthew, another freshly clothed novice, and Robert Verrill OP waving his own flag

Nicholas Crowe OP from Oxford and Brother Matthew

Leon Pereira OP, Prior of Holy Cross, Leicester, gives a wave, and Peter Hunter OP, of the same community, a characteristic smile

Brother Oliver ponders the scene ...

At St Mary's University College on Friday 17th September ...

Vivian Boland OP of the Oxford community with Sr Patricia, a Sister of Providence who works in the parish of St Dominic, Haverstock Hill. Behind is the College Chapel (modeled on the cathedral at Albi) where the Pope met representatives of religious involved in education

The mosaic given by the Pope to St Mary's in gratitude for their hosting the events of Friday morning

In Hyde Park on Saturday 18th September ...

Sr Hyacinthe OP from the community of St Joseph near Lymington

If you have other photographs of Dominicans at these events that you would like to share we would be interested in seeing them. See also the posts below from the days of the papal visit.

The Beatification – A Pilgrim's Perspective

The day John Henry Newman was beatified started with a rather penitential feel. Br Nicholas and I were due to catch a bus at 3.15am from St Gregory's Church which meant setting off at 2.30am on the 2 mile walk from the priory. The weather forecast predicted heavy rain, so we were prepared for the worst. When we arrived at Cofton Park, it was still quite dark but thousands of people were there already, some of whom had had much earlier starts than us.

Seeing the huge lit up sanctuary in the distance helped to give a sense of the scale of the event. We managed to meet up with our two new novices, Oliver and Matthew, who had pitched up a spot with a good view. When it was light enough to see easily, we prayed the morning office which seemed to attract a surprising amount of attention from passers-by.

At 8.10am we took part in the morning worship program which was broadcast live on Radio 4. Despite the rain, there was a cheerful mood and it helped in the gradual build-up of anticipation for the Pope's arrival. I think I might have caused a bit of bad PR for the Dominicans by inadvertently blocking the view of the people behind me with my big black and white umbrella, so I hope I didn't upset too many people.

By the time the concelebrating priests processed in, the weather had brightened up. There were a number of Dominicans in the procession from the London and Leicester priories.

The excitement continued to build-up with cheers as the helicopter came in to land and more cheers a few minutes later when the first clear pictures of the Pope could be seen on the large screens.


Once the Mass started, the noise of the crowd quietened to a whisper and I got a sense of the reverence people were showing for the occasion. The excellent music from the choir very much helped to set the atmosphere. Immediately after Pope Benedict concluded the prayer of beatification of John Henry Newman, there were loud cheers and applause.

As we'd been used to over the last few days, Pope Benedict gave another excellent sermon. He emphasized the teaching of Blessed John Henry Newman on prayer, how his motto “heart speaks unto heart” expresses the deep human longing to enter into communion with the heart of God, how faithfulness to prayer transforms us into the Divine likeness, how each of us has a unique mission which forms a part of God's Divine plan. Pope Benedict also spoke on Blessed John Henry's insights on the relationship between faith and reason, how this relationship forms the foundation of every flourishing educational environment. The way Pope Benedict talked of this endeavour in no way made the intellectual life of the Church sound exclusive, cold or cerebral, but made it sound like an essential part of a Church filled with God's grace, how a thinking faith goes hand in hand with a loving faith. The Pope was keen to emphasize Blessed John Henry's care for the poor, the bereaved and those in prison. So it was very clear that John Henry Newman is truly worthy to be counted among the blessed.



After the Mass I had a wander around the park and bumped into an EWTN crew who wanted to interview me. I was caught a bit off guard so I didn't speak particularly coherently, but it got me thinking about what the day's event meant for me. On reflection, I think I would say sometimes I'm tempted to believe that we live in a very godless age, but the day was a reminder that this is not true. I am living in Oxford, a city in which Newman spent a number of years of his life. I see the same sights as he saw and walk the same streets. No doubt there have been many other people who have walked these streets and lived quiet holy lives, even though they will never receive the attention that Blessed John Henry Newman has. We still live in a country in which it is possible to grow in holiness and to become blessed.

Pope Benedict In Birmingham

The Pontiff's final day in Britain began with a farewell to the Apostolic Nunciature. He then made his way to Wimbledon Park and an awaiting helicopter to be whisked away to Birmingham to celebrate a Mass of Beatification for John Henry Cardinal Newman. The Pope arrived to a 50,000 strong crowd at Cofton Park. At the beginning of his homily the Holy Father acknowledged the commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of the Battle of Britain, praising the sacrifice offered in "courageously resisting the forces of that evil ideology". He then turned to the life and example of Cardinal Newman and expressed his joy in formally raising him to the altars.

The Pope praised Newman's dedication to prayer and stressed how this fueled his mission as an intellectual, teacher and priest. The Holy Father called on all to follow Newman's example of charity and to answer the call to holiness. The full text of the Pope's homily may be found here.

After Mass, the Pope made a private visit to the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Edgbaston, Blessed John Henry Newman's home for so many years. He then had lunch with the Bishops of Scotland, England and Wales at Oscott College and addressed them afterwards. He also met with English and Welsh seminarians studying for the priesthood. In the late afternoon he was driven to Birmingham Airport where the Prime Minister thanked him for challenging Britain to sit up and think, not only about the role of Christianity in society but about the values on which we base our culture. In his farewell address the Pope praised the diversity of Britain and thanked Her Majesty, the Queen and her government for their hospitality. He expressed his joy at the welcome he received from the Catholic community and concluded by wishing goodwill and the blessing of God upon the people of Britain.

Blessed John Henry Newman

pray for us

The Pope in London: A View from the Ground

After the successful Scottish leg of the Papal visit, Londoners had a lot to live up to. The Pope's first day in the capital was certainly more focused on the State elements of this historic visit. Nevertheless the streets of London were full of pilgrims and gold and white certainly were evident throughout Westminster.

The Pope's second day in London had a more pastoral tone. The main pilgrim event was at Hyde Park, right in the heart of the big smoke. The Prayer Vigil on the eve of the beatification of Cardinal Newman was not only historic for its magnitude but also because a special act was passed to allow a religious event in the park.

The young teens group from Blackfriars, B.L.E.A.T, decided to join the thousands descending upon London to pray with the Holy Father. We gathered after Midday Prayer and made the short journey to the bus station to catch the Oxford Tube to Marble Arch. We arrived in good time and the shockingly pink wristbands were eventually distributed amongst the excited and energetic teens. We joined the sea of banners and pilgrims and made our way to the venue in Hyde Park.

When we arrived the ground was filling up nicely. Wanting to get a good view we decided to try and get as close as possible . The group decided that I would be best to lead us into the dense crowd. Combining my rusty skills as a prop-forward and seasoned festival goer, I led the convoy of Blackfriars' pilgrims to a nice little patch, about three bodies deep. Just right for some of our shorter members.

As we arrived representatives of Catholic parishes, schools, organisations and religious orders (including St. Dominic's, London) were processing with banners to meet the assembled bishops. Seeing such a vast and varied collection of institutions was a snapshot of the work of the Church in this country and of the number of Catholics who serve their communities and the nation in so many organisations as well as in the police service and the military.

This visual treat was followed by testimonies from individuals, both Catholic and non-Catholic, whose lives had been touched for good by the Church: we heard from an asylum-seeker who had been supported by her parish community; a young-man who had volunteered in a Church aid-programme in Burma; and a former homeless drug addict who had found support in the Cardinal Hume Centre. We also heard from the parents of the murdered teenager Jimmy Mizen. In a heart-breaking and inspirational testimony they recounted their tragedy and how their faith had helped them through this event and to forgive the murderer of their son.

The air was electric as the crowd awaited the Holy Father. The tension was broken when the first images of the popemobile appeared on the big screen. The crowd joined in with the performance of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus and with perfect timing the gate flew open and the familiar white car appeared. The joy and the excitement that greeted the Pope was immense. It really was like a mega-concert.

The atmosphere changed however as the liturgy began. The crowd listened to a the readings and the Gospel in a dignified fashion. The Holy Father was greeted once again with a great roar as he began to address the crowd. He reflected on the conversion of Cardinal Newman. He pointed out that this was more than just an intellectual conversion, it was a genuine and living conversion that sought a relationship with Truth. The Holy Father reminded the gathering that less than a mile away at Tyburn many Catholics had given their lives for Truth. With these two great examples of witness the Pope called on all Christians not to relegate their faith to the private sphere but to remember that "each of us is called to change the world, to work for a culture of life, a culture forged by love and respect for the dignity of each human person". This was met with a great sign of approval from the crowd and the Holy Father acknowledged this warmth and joy. He called on the young people present to be open to the voice of Jesus by giving themselves totally to the Lord. He said, citing Cardinal Newman, that this voice will allow us to determine the "definite service" that God has planned for each of us. The Holy Father proceeded to invite the young people present to World Youth Day in Madrid next year. This was once again met with cheers of approval.

As the Blessed Sacrament was brought to the altar, a reverent hush descended amongst the crowd and those who could, knelt. It was amazing to witness this lively and excited crowd adore the Lord prayerfully and peacefully for a few minutes. A Litany of the Sacred Heart was recited and Tantum Ergo (composed of course by our own St Thomas Aquinas) sung with gusto and reverence. The crowd quickly exploded into cheers and chants again as the Holy Father and the bishops departed.

This event truly touched me. It showed the variety and size of the Church but also its unity. First in the cohesion that the Successor of St. Peter brings but more importantly in our shared devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. We are the Body of Christ united through His Body. It feeds our spirits; it gives us the strength to go out into the world to proclaim Him and to share His good news. It reminded me that we are not alone: Christ is with us always. We also have each other, and the gift of friendship, as strong as can be when that friendship is founded on our shared faith in, and love for, Christ.

Pope Benedict in London - Day 2

The Holy Father began Saturday 18th September by meeting the leaders of the main political parties. It was his first opportunity to meet the Prime Minister, who has been mourning his father this week. Tomorrow, David Cameron will echo the Pope's address at Westminster Hall. Already, released extracts from a Joint Communiqué between HM Government and the Papal delegation, reveal that Mr. Cameron will declare that "faith is part of the fabric of our country. It always has been and it always will be. As you, your Holiness, have said ... faith is not a problem for legislators to solve … but rather a vital part of our national conversation. And we are proud of that."

The Pope then celebrated a votive Mass of the Precious Blood in Westminster Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In his homily the pontiff reflected on the mystery of the Precious Blood, on the Cross, in the Eucharist and in the priesthood. He pointed out the centrality of the Mass to England's Catholics, especially during the centuries after the reformation when many paid the ultimate price for their defence of the truth of the Eucharist. The Pope also explored how our sufferings lead us into a closer relationship with Christ crucified. The Holy Father expressed his sorrow to the victims of clerical sexual abuse. He concluded by calling all to be witnesses to the Cross and to build a society "truly worthy of man". The full text of his homily can be found here.

After Mass the Pope met two and a half thousand young people in the Piazza of the Cathedral. he then processed to the Chapel of St. David within the Cathedral. Here he blessed the new mosaic of St. David and prayed before the statue of Our Lady of Cardigan, which had been brought from the Principality by Welsh pilgrims. The Pope then addressed the people of Wales, expressing his regret at not being able to visit them but nevertheless wishing them well and declaring "Bendith Duw ar bobol Cymru!"

During the afternoon the Pope had a private meeting with victims of sexual abuse. The Pope expressed his and the Church's "deep sorrow and shame" to the four women and one man. He then traveled to St. Peter's Residence for Older People in Vauxhall. In his address to residents and staff, the Holy Father praised their work and called for society to respect life from beginning to end. Reflecting on his own age he encouraged the residents to look to John Paul II as an example of coping with suffering and infirmity. He then boarded the popemobile once again and traveled along the Mall to a Prayer Vigil in Hyde Park. About 5,000 protesters also took to the streets of London but they were overshadowed by the thousands of well-wishers who lined the route. The Mall was adorned in Union and Vatican Flags as the Pope made his way to the Vigil. He entered the venue to be greeted by music from Handel's Messiah and the roar of an enthusiastic crowd.

The Vigil on the eve of the beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman was a joyous occasion. The Pope reflected on Newman's passion for truth. Reflecting on Newman's meditation - "God has created me to do him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another" - the Holy Father called on all present to be open to the voice of Jesus, the voice which knows the service each for which each of us has been created. The full text of his address is available here.

As the Blessed Sacrament was brought to the altar the noise of the crowd gave way to peaceful meditation and reflection. After Benediction the crowd gave the Holy Father a joyful farewell as he returned to the Apostolic Nunciature. Tomorrow he will fly from London to Birmingham, England's second city, to beatify Cardinal Newman.

Pope Benedict in London - Day 1

The Holy Father arrived in London on Thursday night and was greeted by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. He then travelled to the Apostolic Nunciature in Wimbledon.

On Friday morning he travelled to St Mary's University College, Twickenham, where he began by praying with representatives of the religious of Britain in the College chapel. He then attended "The Big Assembly", with 3,000 young people from Britain's Catholic schools and colleges. The Holy Father challenged the young people present to dare to aim to be Saints.

The Pope concluded his visit to St. Mary's by meeting leaders of other religious faiths in Britain.

During the afternoon it was reported that a potential security threat had been identified and prevented. Nevertheless the Holy Father continued his journey and travelled to Lambeth Palace where he met the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams. Whilst acknowledging the difficulties that exist between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, Pope Benedict praised the progress which had been made over the last forty years. The Pope reminded all Christians that they have a duty to proclaim the Gospel to a "culture is growing ever more distant from its Christian roots, despite a deep and widespread hunger for spiritual nourishment." The full texts of both addresses can be found here.

The Holy Father then made the short trip to the Palace of Westminster to deliver his keynote address in Westminster Hall. Standing in the venue of the trial of St. Thomas More, the Pope addressed the assembled members of the British establishment, including all four surviving former Prime Ministers. He saluted the democratic traditions of Britain but warned that without solid ethical principles these are fragile. He lamented the marginalisation of religion, especially Christianity, in society and reminded the audience that "religion is not a problem for legislators to solve, but a vital contributor to the national conversation". The full text of his address can be found here. Pope Benedict concluded his first day in the capital by attending an ecumenical evensong at Westminster Abbey.

The Pope in Scotland: a view from the ground

After months of preparation, the day of the Pope’s visit to Scotland finally arrived, and things kicked off early in Edinburgh at St Albert’s University Chaplaincy, based in the Dominican Priory on George Square. Some students joined the friars at Lauds to prepare themselves spiritually for the long day ahead, and by 9:30 the chaplaincy common room was heaving with students and parishioners hoping to see the Pope. After a blessing from the Prior, Fr Tim Calvert, one group headed off down to Prince’s Street to see the St Ninian’s Day parade, which followed the route the Holy Father was later to take as he drove through the centre of Edinburgh in the Popemobile, and led the crowd gathered to see the Pope in celebration of St Ninian, Scotland’s first saint, on whose feast day Pope Benedict arrived in the country.

The chaplaincy groups prepare to set out for Glasgow and Prince's Street

Meanwhile, those of us going to the Papal Mass in Bellahouston Park were issued with our special wristbands before making our way down to the train station for the journey to Glasgow. After a very smooth journey, we arrived in the park just in time to see on the big screens images of the Holy Father’s progress along Prince’s Street at about 12:30. Though we didn’t have the BBC commentary there, news soon got round our group (thanks to the wonders of modern technology) that one of the students back in Edinburgh had been interviewed during the live television coverage, along with Fr Dermot Morrin OP, who had accompanied the group down to the parade.

The congregation

My first impression of the park was the sheer size of the site, and I think we all found it quite inspiring to see the constant stream of pilgrims, coming from three or four different directions and all converging on the entrances to the park. Despite the prospect of almost a five hour wait for the beginning of Mass, there was a real sense of excitement and anticipation in the ever-growing crowd. During the afternoon, there were live and video performances from Catholic schools around Scotland, as well as video presentations from various agencies of the Church in Scotland (the Scotthis Catholic International Aid Fund, Catholic Scottish Parliamentary Office, Vocations Office etc.), interspersed with rehearsals for the music we would be singing at the Mass. While one might have been forgiven for thinking one was at a pop concert to judge by the reaction of the crowd to the appearance on stage of Susan Boyle, the Catholic singer made famous by the TV programme Britain’s Got Talent, there was nevertheless definitely a sense that this was all secondary, and a build-up to the main event.

The closest view we got of the Popemobile

As the Pope’s arrival drew near, preparations shifted up a gear: we moved on from light entertainment to some rousing hymn-singing (our group, if I say so myself, contributing with particular gusto) as the hundreds of concelebrating priests processed through the crowd to the sanctuary. Then, suddenly, a great cheer went up from one corner of the park, spreading swiftly throughout the congregation: the Pope was here. The crowd was transformed into a sea of Vatican flags, interspersed with those not only of Scotland, but also of Kenya, Poland, Ireland, Angola and Spain (to name the few I noticed and remembered). The Holy Father made his way in a figure-of-eight around the congregation, accompanied by vigorous cheering and waving of banners: even Susan Boyle’s welcome could not compete!

The Holy Father begins the celebration of Mass

The true purpose of our gathering, however, became very clearly expressed for me when, as the Pope disappeared to vest, the commentator called for silence as we got ready to take part in the Mass. In the 70,000-strong crowd, you could have heard a pin drop as everyone in quiet prayer prepared to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist: there was a real sense of unity and common purpose even in that silence, a sense which only grew stronger as the Mass began, and seventy thousand people together with the Holy Father confessed to the Lord and to each other their sins, and their need for God’s mercy.

In his homily, Pope Benedict spoke movingly of the love of Jesus Christ for every human individual, a love in which alone we can find the true breadth of freedom, which the world claims to offer in various guises, but which, without Jesus, ends up being ‘arbitrary and self-destructive’. He called on the Catholics of Scotland to bear witness to this authentic, Christian freedom not only by lives lived in accordance with their faith, but also by presenting it in the public forum as wisdom necessary to society as a whole.

Yellow umbrellas shelter the Blessed Sacrament as Holy Communion is distributed

After the homily, we came, of course, as at every Mass, to the Offertory procession and Eucharistic Prayer, during which again there was a tangible sense of the massive congregation’s focus on the altar and the heart of the Eucharistic celebration. Following a joyful exchange of the sign of peace with friends and strangers, we prepared to receive Holy Communion: the sight of hundreds of yellow umbrellas (which sheltered the priests and deacons bearing the Blessed Sacrament) as they spread out through the crowd served as a powerful visual sign, to my mind at least, of the grace of Christ spreading out from the altar and all these people being drawn into his Body by receiving his Body in the Sacrament.

Having received the Holy Father’s blessing at the end of Mass and seen him process out (again accompanied by the sight of thousands of flags and banners being waved by the congregation), we waited until it was our turn to leave the park (about an hour after the Pope had left). Although a little cold and tired, there was a great sense of exhilaration and, indeed, excitement at the experience we had all shared of coming together with Catholics from all over Scotland and beyond to celebrate our common faith together with Pope Benedict, the symbol and guarantor of our unity.

Some of the pilgrims from the Edinburgh chaplaincy

Personally, I thank the Lord for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful occasion, together with a great and enthusiastic group from our chaplaincy in Edinburgh, while on my pastoral placement there! Let us all pray for the Holy Father as he continues his visit in England, that he may bear fruitful witness to the message of Jesus Christ and strengthen Catholics in their faith there, as I’m sure he has, with the help of the Holy Spirit, here in Scotland!