Year: 1879

HIS ARRIVAL AT THE oRAToRY-IECEPTIoN


AND CEREMoNIEs-A SERMON


Cardinal Newman is in England again. He arrived
In birmingham or Tuesday, the lst of July on his
return from Rome, and was cordially and reverenty
welcomed by large congregation of the Roman
Catholic clergy and laity OF the town and members
of the Oratory. The Cardinal. who has aged visibly
during his three months absence looked very thin
and feeble but brighter and animated than his
friends had yentured to anticipate his long and
trying illness. On his arrival at the Oratory Car
dinal Newman. pausing only to assume the scarlet
manteleta and beretta proper to the OCCASION pro-
cceded at to the church. where large congre-
cation already assembled. He received at
the porch by the Rev. Austen Mills. tho senior
Father and other members of the Oratory robed for
service After the customary aspersion and incens-
ing the group and attendants advanced procession
ally, with crucitx. candles aud thurbles. up the
centre of the church. while the organ pealed forth
triumphal march. The Cardinal, who supported
either side by the Rev, Fathers Thomas Pope and
Henry Bittlestone. walked beneath canopy carried
by four of the Oratory students and distributed his
blessings right and left the kneeng congrega
as he passed. The procession led the way first to
the chapel of St. Philip Ner the patron and founder
of the Oratory. where Cardinal Newman knet for
short time in prayer. He then conducted back
to the sanctuary chancel in front of high altar
the right OF which suitable throne and canopy
had been provided for his accommodation. After


short preliminary service at the high altar the Car
dinal returned TO his throne. where the members Of
the Oratory in order OF seniority proceeded to kiss
his ringed hand subsequently the Cardinal. return
ing to the verge Of the sanctuary, seated himself
with his face the congregation and tremulous
voice spoke as follows:-


THE CARDINALS SERMON


MY DEAR CHIIDREN-I am desirous of thanking
you for the great sympathy you have shown toward
me. for your congratulations, TOR your welcome and
for your good prayers; but feel very weak
for have not recovered yet from long iness-that
hardly know how may be able to say few
words express in any degree the great pleasure
and gratitude to you which feel. TO come home
aeain In that word '.lome'' how much is included!
l know well that there is more heroic life than
home life. We know how the blessed Apostles
went about, and listen to ST. Pauls words. those
touching words in which he speaks of himself
and says he was an outcast. Then we know
too, that blessed Lord .'had not where to
lay His head" Therefore. OF course, there is
higher life, more heroic life. than that Of home.
The idea OF home is consecrated to by patron
and founder. St Philip Tor he made the idea of home
the very OF his religion and institute. We
have even great example IN our Lord Himself. for
though in His public ministry he had not where to
lay His head. yet we know that tor the first thirty
years OF His life He had home. and He. therefore,
consecrated in a special way the life of home. And
us Almighty God has been pleased to continue the
world, not angels, by separate creation of EACH
but by means OF the family. so it was fitting
that tine congregation Of st. Philip should be
the IDEAL the realization OF the family in
its perfection. and pattern to every family
in the parish. in tho town and throughout





feel pleasure i'll coming home again. Although am
insensible Of the great grace of being in the
catholicity which is the centre OF grace of the
immense honor which has been conferred upon me,
nor of the exceeding kindness and affection to me
personally Of the Holy Father-I may say more than
affection for he to though he had been all
my life my father the grace which shone from
his face and spoke in his voice-yet feel may
joce in coming home again, rs If 1t were to my long
home-to that home which extends to heaven "the
home of eternity" l almost feared should
never back. but God. in His mercy,
has ordered it otherwise. And now l will
ask you, my dear friends, to pray for me,
that may be as the presence of the Holy Father
among you. aud that the Holy Spirit OF God may be
upon this church. upon this great city. upon its
bishop upon all Its priests upon all its Inhabitants
men. women and children. and as pledge and be-
ginning OF it give you my benediction.


During this brief address the audience visibly
and deeply affected. The Cardinal then reascended
the altar steps and bestowed his solemn benediction
upon the assembly. and. the customary indulgence
having been proclaimed. the service concluded
by the chanting OF the "Te Dcum." The Cardinal was
then conducted from the church. 1t is stated that
Dr. Aiken. the Cardinals medical attendant, has for
hidden him to receive any addresses or presenta-
tions for q period OF at least three weeks. II his
strength should then permit it, he will visit London
and hold two receptions at the residences of
the Duke OF Norfolk and Cardinal Manning.