You will need to collect your ticket from the designated distribution centre in Rome. At the time of writing, the location has not been confirmed. The centre should be open by Saturday, 12 October.
What other events are happening in Rome?
The Angelicum University is holding a one-day conference on Saturday, 12 October, titled ‘Newman the Prophet: A Saint for Our Times’. Speakers include George Weigel, Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney.
The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore will have a vigil of prayer on the evening of Saturday, 12 October. Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham will preside, and the service will also include representatives of the Confederation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri and of the Church of England. Melissa Villalobos, subject of Newman’s second miracle, will also attend.
Directly afterwards, the London Oratory Schola will perform a celebratory concert of Gregorian chant and polyphony at the basilica.
On the evening of Sunday, 13 October, the London Oratory Schola will sing at a ‘Musical Oratory’ in the Chiesa Nuova. The service will consist of music, prayers and spiritual readings in the tradition of St Philip Neri.
Finally, on the morning of Monday, 14 October, there will be a Pontifical Mass of thanksgiving at the Archbasilica of St John Lateran. Cardinal Vincent Nichols will be the celebrant.
What about the rest of the world?
Birmingham Oratory
The oratory founded by John Henry Newman is completing a £75,000 refurbishment of its chapel dedicated to the soon-to-be canonised saint. It is also opening a small museum that will display items never seen by the public before, including manuscripts, pictures and relics.
On the day of the canonisation, the church will be hosting a viewing of the ceremony in the Upper Cloister Hall. The following Friday, there will be a Pontifical High Mass in Latin at 7.30pm, celebrated by the Archbishop of Birmingham, in thanksgiving for the canonisation. Then, on the following Sunday, there will be Mass with the archbishop again at 12pm, followed by Solemn Vespers, Benediction and Te Deum at 4.30pm.
London Oratory
The Brompton Oratory will be the main focus for the Newman celebrations in London. On the day of the canonisation, the Oratory will be celebrating a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving, with Te Deum, at 11am. The following Thursday, Cardinal Vincent Nichols will celebrate a Solemn Pontifical Mass at 6.30pm in honour of the newly canonised saint. Fr Ignatius Harrison, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, will preach.
Westminster Cathedral
The cathedral will host Ecumenical Vespers, jointly led by Cardinal Nichols and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby, on Saturday, 19 October at 3.30pm. This will be followed by a ‘Halo Party’ in the Cathedral Hall at 5.30pm; tickets for the party are £15.
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