Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Wednesday 1 October 2014

Newman Night Walk - October 8th


A week tonight the annual Newman Night Walk from Oxford to Littlemore will take place on Wednesday October 8th.


A bronze relief in the Catholic church in Littlemore 
depicting the meeting of Bl. John Henry and Bl Dominic 

The evening begins at the Oxford Oratory with a short meditation at 7.45, followed by the walk to Littlemore, stopping at places associated with Bl.John Henry Newman and Bl.Dominic Barberi.

At 9.39 there begins the candlelit procession from 89 Rose Hill to the church of Bl.Dominic Barberi in Littlemore where from 10.00 there is a Holy Hour concluding Benediction. Confessions will be heard in the church during this Holy Hour.

The evening concludes with the procession reforming and going to the College where the two beati met on October 8th 1845 and the evening ends with a thanksgiving in the chapel there.


The Chapel where Newman was received and made his first Catholic communion

Participants are invited to join the events at any stage, and light refreshments will be provided afterwards at the College by the Sisters of the Work.


The Library at the College

This is always a most enjoyable as well as prayerful evening, a suitable way in which to reflect upon Bl.John Henry's conversion and reception into "the one true fold of the Redeemer ".


Newman's writing desk

“… as I made Littlemore a place of retirement for myself, so did I offer it to others…”

(Apologia pro vita sua, 160).

Images: newmanfriendsinternational

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