"Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

In two weeks’ time, Blessed John Henry Newman will be declared a saint of the Church. This is a joyful moment, indeed. The life of this great English figure of nineteenth-century Church life is held before us as a model to follow. It is good to remember that he lived in Ealing and is, therefore, a native of our diocese, and was first taken to Mass as a young boy in Our Lady of the Assumption, Warwick Street. Do try to follow the events that will take place in Rome on 13th October and the celebrations taking place here in our diocese the following weekend.

One of the most important aspects of his life is the long and difficult journey he made into the fullness of faith in the Catholic Church. It cost him dearly. Yet it is an essential part of his witness. His search for truth led him to examine in detail the foundations of the Catholic faith in the history of the Church. It also drove him to look closely at his own experiences, and feelings, sensing in them the call and promptings of God. He was utterly convinced that in all our experiences in this world, there is a sign, a shadow, an impression, like a fingerprint, of the presence of God. This conviction made him a wonderful witness to the nature, importance, and experience of the Catholic faith."

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Read the full pastoral letter.