John Henry Newman...

...founded The Oratory School 150 years ago, and on Saturday I was privileged to be present at a glorious Mass in Westminster Cathedral to mark the anniversary. Archbishop Vincent Nichols celebrated the Mass - he had been invited to do so as Archbishop of Birmingham, the diocese in which Newman lived and worked and in which the school stands - and of course is now Archbishop-elect of Westminster, so rather beautifully he made a special early arrival at Westminster, as it were, for this special event...and will be returning in his new official capacity in a couple of weeks' time...

It truly was a glorious Mass. The Head Boy of the Preparatory School, and the School Captain of the main School did the first two readings, there was some fine singing from the school choir, pupils from the Prep school brought up the Offertory, and there was a grand attendance of the entire school plus friends, supporters, parents, past pupils,past staff, and more...there was a splendid sermon quoting some of Newman's most luminous words, and the Mass ended with a beautiful Te Deum in thanksgiving for all that has been achieved in this school down one and half centuries...

Afterwards a most convivial gathering in the Cathedral Hall over wine and food. Much talk, a wonderful atmosphere: among those present were the Sisters of The Work at Littlemore, governors of the School including Antony Tyler who runs Fisher Press, and of course the distinguished preacher at the Mass, Bishop Philip Boyce, Bishop of Raphoe,. along with many other clergy including the school Chaplain Mgr Antony Conlon ...