Pilgrimage Retreat

DAY THREE

After mass of first Roman martyrs and coffee I return to persue aspects of the convent heritage trail.

Unlike yesterday there are just six of us for lunch after which two sisters depart for a London funeral and with Jenny off home before supper we are just three of us then. In between a visit to the Birmingham Oratory with Jenny Smith and convent media (ex BBC) volunteer Maureen Healy. Jenny is single and from Malvern. This is her visit job after training at Liverpool University. She is Anglican. Maureen is recovering from a car accident which meant finishing work and lives locally.

We are welcomed at the Oratory by Fr Richard Duffield, Provost and Actor of Cardinal Newman’cause, who is in contact with the convent because of their Newman links and to tap their experience of their Heritage Trail in order to create something similar at The Oratory for the pilgrims expected to increase following Newman’s beatification in September(19^th). We are privileged to be given an extended tour of the Newman rooms with much inspiring, and revealing, commentary – especially in relation to the visit of His Holiness the Pope. The study, chapel, bedroom, library are full of fascinating artefacts. In the process I am introduced to Father Gregory Winterton who , like me, was once a student at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield. Fr Richard grew up in York and became good friend with Fr William Massie, parish priest in Scarborough. What is more in prominent position near to Newman’s altar is a portrait of a Canon Walker who founded the Catholic Mission in Scarborough and was a good friend.

Ann Widdecombe, preparing for a TV programme, was signed in as the most recent visitor in Newman’s study before us. We were shown Newman’s unusual rosary likely to be given to the pope when he visits(only 3 decades and St Benedict medallion instead of a crucifix), his vestments, cardinal hat, coffin plaque, ‘Apologia’ writing desk, Elgar’s gift of original manuscript for ‘Dream of Gerontius’ etc.

A lot to mull over this evening.