Scottish Catholic Observer

The Cardinal Newman High School community in Bellshill was thrilled to hear the good news that Cardinal Newman will be canonised, after it was confirmed by Pope Francis on Tuesday February 12.

The canonisation is expected to take place later this year.

Having already had one miracle to his name, a second has been accredited to the beatified cardinal.

The Pope recognised the cardinal as being responsible for the healing of a pregnant woman who was suffering from unstoppable internal bleeding.

Cardinal Newman High School headteacher Kenny Ross said the news was ‘a very fitting and very happy coincidence’ for the school as they recently brought their 40th year anniversary celebrations to a close with the blessing of their new oratory.

The school is currently drafting plans to celebrate the canonisation throughout the year, including a trip to Rome, though the idea is still in its infancy.

Mr Ross said: “This morning we had a meeting on the canonisation, and the first thing we decided on was to get in touch with the parents with regards to a celebration.

“I think there’s a real sense of something wonderful having happened here. We’ve had a lot of contact from parents congratulating us, and there’s a real sense within our local Catholic community and among our pupils that something amazing has happened.

“Many senior pupils have asked if we can go to Rome.”

The school’s new oratory was blessed by Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell on Wednesday February 6.

With the news of the cardinal’s upcoming canonisation, Mr Ross said: “We are delighted that we’ve now got a saint who will be patron of this school.”

Catholic schools often change their names when their namesakes become saints, including St John Ogilvie High School in Hamilton, which changed its name in 2015 to recognise the canonisation of their saint, who was executed at Glasgow Cross in 1615.

Asked if the school might now change its name to reflect the canonisation, Mr Ross said the school was currently focused on the excitement of the announcement, but would take part in any discussions going forward.

The soon-to-be canonised cardinal’s first miracle took place when Jack Sullivan, a man studying for the diaconate, was on the verge of becoming completely paralysed from a spinal disease.

Doctors were unable to help, but he was miraculously healed after praying to Cardinal Newman.

After a Vatican investigation, the miracle was confirmed and the cardinal was beatified on September 19, 2010.

The second miracle was approved in November last year, and was authorised to be declared on February 13.

His canonisation will make him England’s first saint in centuries and the first saint from the British Isles since Scotland’s St John Ogilvie, who was canonised in 1976.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said Cardinal Newman was ‘deeply admired’ by the people who ‘lined the streets’ when he died.

Birmingham oratory, founded by Cardinal Newman in 1849, added that the authorisation of his ‘heroic sanctity will be welcomed by Catholics and Anglicans alike.’