IN ENGLAND CONVERSIONS ARE INCREASING IN AN ASTONISHING PROGRESSION

Posted on November 15, 2022 by franksantucci

“Here below to live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often.” (St. John Henry Newman)

Eugene’s diary entry refers to a meeting in England between Oblate Father Frédèric Perron and John Henry Newman (1801-1890), the English theologian, who entered the Catholic Church in 1845, was made a cardinal in 1878 and canonized in 2019.

Michael Hughes writes: “Eugene de Mazenod had the highest regard for Newman, whom he met on his first visit to Britain in 1850. A man of universal influence, Newman’s life touched that of the Oblates at a number of points, most profoundly in the part he played in inspiring the ‘Second Spring’ of English Catholicism which was a chief factor motivating the Founder to open an English mission.”

In England conversions are increasing in an astonishing progression. In the month of December, fifty Anglican ministers abjured. Fr. Perron dined at Mr. Phillipps with Doctor Newman and five other converted ministers. He himself received several abjurations and prepared others of them.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 22 January 1846, EO XXI

Hughes continues: “Meanwhile in 1849, to Eugene’s confessed astonishment, the Oblates had succeeded Newman’s Oratorians and taken possession of Maryvale as their house of formation in England. Cooke relates how in 1851 Newman received into the Catholic Church in Leeds a group of Anglican clergy and laity that included two future Oblates: George Lloyd Crawley and John Atkinson.” (https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/newman-john-henry1801-1890-cardinal-deacon-st-george-velabro-venerable/)

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One Response to IN ENGLAND CONVERSIONS ARE INCREASING IN AN ASTONISHING PROGRESSION

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    November 15, 2022 at 13:14

    After Googling and reading more about Newman and the Oratorians I am again filled with a quiet joy of how we are all interconnected with each other in this family and beyond, each of us with our part to play in life with God. I am reminded by Eugene and his sons, along with brothers and sisters around the world who God uses to teach us and share with us, and how we ourselves are sent out to love in the same manner.

    I am reminded of how God calls forth and uses many, bringing together an incredible diversity of life which form a central core. I think first of all about the great number of lay people who are members of the Mazenodian Family from every part of the world. But it goes further for it is not just members of my family but of the people of God spread throughout the world.

    As I pause to look out my window it is still very dark outside, and yet from my view I notice that some of the taller buildings are reflecting a dull reddish colour, a reflection of the rising sun which will soon shed it’s light on all of the buildings, houses and streets of the city. A moment later – the light on those few buildings is growing brighter and even though there is still darkness at the street level – dawn has begun her daily journey across the skies. I cannot but help think of Francis and his canticle to Brother Sun and Sister Moon.

    I utter a silent sob and tears fill my eyes that God should show me so much of His splendor on this tiny speck which is a part of the greater universe.

    It is not only in England or France where “…conversions are increasing in an astonishing progression”. Conversion continues – in the here and now, within each of us. It is all a part of our ongoing formation in a life-long journey.

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