From the St Barnabas Society:

On Saturday 27th July, the Archbishop of Birmingham, The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, visited the headquarters of the St Barnabas Society to celebrate Mass in the chapel and to bless the crucifix and icon of Blessed John Henry Newman and Blessed Dominic Barberi which have been painted for us by the Argentinian artist, Marcelo Lavallen.

Concelebrants at the Mass were Fr Paul Martin, the Society’s Director; Fr Dominic Cosslett, Archbishop’s Secretary; Fr John Hancock, parish priest of Littlemore; and Mgr Bruce Harbert, a retired priest of the Archdiocese.

Deacon Bob Hughes, a trustee of the Society, assisted the Archbishop. The small congregation included our Chairman, Roland Hayes, along with other trustees, and Sr Ingrid who represented The Sisters of the Work.

The Archbishop began his homily with these inspiring words:
“At the very heart of today’s celebration in these new headquarters for the St Barnabas Society is the continuing mission of the Church in England and Wales to preach the truth about Jesus Christ as the Lord.”

He went on to praise “the magnificent new crucifix which proclaims so eloquently St Paul’s faith and ours that the crucified Christ is the source of every grace and blessing”.

Reflecting upon the imagery of the icon he said: “Blessed John Henry is shown in his Cardinal’s robes exchanging the Pax, the sign of peace, with Blessed Dominic. This is not only the embrace of friends, but it symbolises the sacramental grace that transformed both their lives, especially in that pivotal moment at nearby Littlemore”.

It was a beautiful occasion – beautiful in its simplicity - and an endorsement of the important work which was begun by the Converts Aid Society in 1896, just a few years after Blessed John Henry Newman’s death, and which continues through the St Barnabas Society to this very day.

We feel especially close to Blessed John Henry and Blessed Dominic during these days of preparation for the canonisation of Newman in Rome on Sunday, 13th October, at which some of us will be present.

The St Barnabas Society will be hosting a dinner at The Savile Club, 69 Brook Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 4ER, on Tuesday, 22 October 2019, to celebrate the Canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman.

Drinks will be from 7pm for dinner at 8pm. The guest speaker will be Father Richard Duffield, Cong. Orat., Provost of the York Oratory.

Tickets are £100 per person and will include drinks beforehand and wine during the meal. Dress code is black tie for gentlemen and evening gowns for ladies. Clergy may wear cassocks or lounge suits.

Space is limited to 100 guests and therefore a request for tickets will be dealt with on a first-come first-served basis.

Payment may be made via the Society website or by cheque (payable to the St Barnabas Society) sent to the Society headquarters: Windsor House, East Point Business Park, Sandy Lane West, Oxford, OX4 6LB.

Please notify any dietary requirements in advance.