Pilgrimage Retreat

DAY FOUR

After mass for Oliver Plunket I spend the morning reading ‘A Woman Sings of Mercy – Reflections on the life and Spirit of Mother Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy’ by Sister Mary Carmel Bourke RSM (Australia 1987).

During the afternoon I travel out to the city edge at Rednal and there visit the site of Newman’s grave and the nearby Cofton Park where the Beatification Mass is to to be held. It is 5 minutes from the old Longbridge Car Factory area where parking will be. This is a most up market area where Newman would escape the city and walk in the park when he came to an Oratory property for rest and reflection Access is closely fenced following some vandalism and is approached through a small development of select housing. I would never have found it without the kelp of Nichola, a young woman recovering from a break down after her mother’s death. She comes there to sit under a tree and write up her Newman spiritual relationship.

The local parish church of St Francis has a beautiful Chapel of Adoration, with direct access from the street as well as through the church, and this evening I spend some time there after supper.