Newman’s balanced, sensible and inclusive approach to church music has been adopted in preparing for his Beatification. On 19 September, there will be moments when the congregation is engaged in prayer through attentive listening: the music of Monteverdi, Stanford, Byrd, Elgar and Haydn. Yet the people’s active participation in the sung prayer of the celebration will be enabled through popular hymnody (including, of course, Newman’s own texts – ‘Praise to the holiest’ and ‘Firmly I believe and truly’) and there will be chants and refrains for all to sing.
Music is a sign of the heart’s joy and it is indeed with great joy and enthusiasm that some two thousand singers have begun to rehearse for this celebration.
It is right that the institutions founded by Cardinal Newman should have a prominent role in leading the music. The choirs of the Birmingham and Oxford Oratories will be joined by those of the Oratory School and the London Oratory School. Together with the choir of Saint Chad’s Cathedral, directed by David Saint, these groups will be at the core of the main body of singers.
Other singers participating come from one hundred and ten parishes and eighteen secondary schools within the Archdiocese. The Diocese of Leeds will add another five hundred children from their singing programme. Well over a thousand of the singers will be aged under eighteen.
Cor ad cor loquitur. On the day, heart will speak to heart: the hearts of all assembled to the heart of Christ. In the unity of the Holy Spirit, and led by over two thousand singers, the sung prayer of all gathered will be consciously joined to the offering of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. That’s the aim of all involved in leading the music. The hard work of achieving it has begun in rehearsals now.
James MacMillan Mass.
The internationally acclaimed Scottish composer, James MacMillan, has been commissioned by the Bishops of Scotland, England and Wales to write a new Mass setting for the Papal celebrations in Glasgow and the West Midlands. Entitled Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman, it is a congregational setting of the new translation of the texts of the Mass.
James writes: ‘I was immensely proud to be asked to write a new Mass for the forthcoming Papal Visit. It has also been an honour and great pleasure to collaborate with Fr Peter Jones on this. His advice and help has been invaluable, considering his great experience in liturgical music. He has been a major encouragement to me.’
Princethorpe College
Sue Francis (Head of Music) writes: ‘The choristers and their parents are very excited at the prospect of singing for the Pope, as is the whole school; it’s a huge honour to have been asked to participate. Rehearsals are going well and there’s a real buzz about the place!’
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College
‘The pupils are hard at work preparing for the visit of Pope Benedict in September. Students are delighted to be a part of the choir singing at the papal Mass; for most, it will be their first opportunity to actually see the Pope and be part of his congregation. Mrs P Mullins - Headteacher
The Oratory School, Woodcote
Cardinal Newman founded the Oratory School in Birmingham with just nine pupils. Here, Julian McNamara – Head of Music of the present school – rehearses some of today’s pupils, who are all extremely pleased to be a part of this tremendous moment in the history of the Church and of the country.
Saint Edmund’s School, Wolverhampton
Pupils at Saint Edmund’s are excited by the opportunity to sing at the Papal Mass. ‘My Mum walked miles to see Pope John Paul II when he came to Coventry in 1982. I never thought I would have the opportunity to sing for the Pope.’ ‘What an amazing gig, singing for the Pope!’ ‘This is a chance in a lifetime, I’m not passing this one up.’
Blessed George Napier School, Banbury
Rehearsals are well underway at Blessed George Napier School. The Youth Choir is led by Mr Tim Wilson who says, ‘We’re really looking forward to the event, if not the early morning start’. Jessica Saunders, Deputy Head Girl says, ‘I’m very excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity and it will be an unforgettable and inspiring experience... for the Pope!’ Robert Haley, in Year 10, said ‘Singing for the Pope will be a great honour for me, for the choir and for the school, I just hope it doesn’t rain!’ Other Year 10 pupils, Adrianna and Gemma added ‘we can’t wait and only wish it was sooner!’
Cardinal Wiseman School, Coventry
Pupils from Years 7 & 8, led by Mrs Ruth McCarthey and Mrs Jane Gardner, are all very excited about singing on 19 September.
Learning the Elgar Ave Verum Corpus in rehearsal at the Grimshaw Room, St Chad’s Cathedral.
Elgar was born in Lower Broadheath, near Worcester, and was associated with St George’s parish in Worcester itself. The marriage of Cardinal Newman’s great poem - The Dream of Gerontius – and Elgar’s music is recognised world-wide as a spiritual and musical masterpiece.
“It’s challenging but we like it!”
Three generations singing in the choir
Maurice, an old philippian, was received into the Catholic Church in 1946 in Cardinal Newman’s own study. He was later married at the Oratory Church where Helena was also baptised.
Links with Cardinal Newman and the Birmingham Oratory go back a long way in the family! Members of the family group are singing all four parts between them - bass, tenor, alto and soprano. It’s a privilege for them to be able to take part together in this Beatification Mass.
