I really have to get into the habit of blogging on a daily basis. But it has been    hectic lately, and my broadband connection really does not like rain.

Hopefully you heard about the popes apostolic journey to the post Christian country of the United Kingdom. But according to deacon Greg, perhaps you have not “One of the biggest surprises of Pope Benedict’s historic trip to the United Kingdom may be how few people realize that it was, in fact, historic. Read more:

While there he beautified Cardinal Henry Newman one of the bright lights of our Church and a convert from the Anglican Church. He was a brilliant theologian and philosopher. Oh and he was a poet, a prayer warrior, and a pastor of souls.

The miracle which elevated the good cardinal to the alters, happened to a deacon!

Here is an excerpt from the pope’s homily at the mass and beautification:

“And indeed, what better goal could teachers of religion set themselves than Blessed John Henry’s famous appeal for an intelligent, well-instructed laity: “I want a laity, not arrogant, not rash in speech, not disputatious, but men who know their religion, who enter into it, who know just where they stand, who know what they hold and what they do not, who know their creed so well that they can give an account of it, who know so much of history that they can defend it” (The Present Position of Catholics in England, ix, 390). On this day when the author of those words is raised to the altars, I pray that, through his intercession and example, all who are engaged in the task of teaching and catechesis will be inspired to greater effort by the vision he so clearly sets before us.”

And for Catechists and teachers of religion wise words:

And indeed, what better goal could teachers of religion set themselves than Blessed John Henry’s famous appeal for an intelligent, well-instructed laity: “I want a laity, not arrogant, not rash in speech, not disputatious, but men who know their religion, who enter into it, who know just where they stand, who know what they hold and what they do not, who know their creed so well that they can give an account of it, who know so much of history that they can defend it” (The Present Position of Catholics in England, ix, 390). On this day when the author of those words is raised to the altars, I pray that, through his intercession and example, all who are engaged in the task of teaching and catechesis will be inspired to greater effort by the vision he so clearly sets before us. Read the whole homily.

You can view a video of the entire mass here http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/Replay-the-Visit/Watch-Again/Beatification-of-Cardinal-Newman