Salt + Light Media Menu
Salt + Light Media Home
Magnifying Glass
coverPhoto
Contenu Premium

Asset title

Asset description

Pope in UK: A Tolkien-Newman Connection

Matthew Harrison

Thursday, August 19, 2010

It looks like there will be a touch of Tolkien when Pope Benedict XVI visits Birmingham, England next month.
Cardinal Newman, 1865. CNS photo/courtesy Fathers of the Birmingham OratoryNo, we're confident the Holy Father will not be quoting portions of Lord of the Rings in any homilies or addresses.
However, the legendary author's great nephew, Tim Tolkien, will be sculpting a life-size statue of Cardinal John Henry Newman for Birmingham's Cofton Park.
That's where the Pontiff will celebrate an open-air Beatification Mass for the holy scholar on September 19th.
The steel, bronze-sprayed statue will likely be placed next to the stage, and the accomplished sculptor is hopeful the Holy Father will bless it.
“It’s a great privilege," said the 47-year old, "The Pope doesn’t come often and it’s happening in this city.”
Read the full article about the sculpture at the Birmingham Mail HERE.
Of course, this isn't the first Tolkien-Newman connection.  The Cardinal founded the English Oratory (the Oratory of St. Philip Neri is a congregation of priests and brothers founded by St. Philip in Rome in the 16th century).  He later lived, and was buried, at the Birmingham Oratory.
When his mother died, a 12-year old Tolkien was entrusted to a priest at the Birmingham Oratory (his father had died years earlier, and the family had separated themselves from them after Tolkien’s mother converted to Catholicism).  For a period Tolkien lived and attended an Oratorian run school.  In fact, there’s an amusing legend that Tolkien took great pleasure placing the house’s cat in the refectory's lazy Susan (or dumbwaiter) – offering a bit of a surprise for servers at meals!
-
Check back regularly to the Salt + Light blog for further updates on the trip and our broadcast details.
CNS photo/courtesy Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory


Related Articles:

Category: Saints and Blesseds

Tag: Birmingham Oratory, J.R.R. Tolkien, St. John Henry Newman

Pope’s General Audience – February 5, 2025

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Pope Francis

In his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis continued this cycle of catechesis on "Jesus Christ our Hope," as part of the Jubilee 2025. This week he reflected on the Magnificat, the Virgin Mary's Song of Praise after she is greeted by her cousin Elizabeth.

Pope’s General Audience – January 29, 2025

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Pope Francis

Reflecting on the vision given to St. Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew, Pope Francis said that "He dreams of the miracle that God fulfils in Mary’s life, and also the miracle that he works in his own life: to take on a fatherhood capable of guarding, protecting, and passing on a material and spiritual inheritance."

Pope’s General Audience – January 22, 2025

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Pope Francis

Pope Francis continued this cycle of catechesis on "Jesus Christ our Hope." Reflecting on the Angel Gabriel's greeting to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation, he said that "The 'Almighty,' the God of the 'impossible' is with Mary, together with and beside her; He is her companion, her principal ally, the eternal 'I-with-you.'"

Pope’s General Audience – November 27, 2024

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Pope Francis

In his weekly catechesis, Pope Francis reflected on the fruits of the Spirit. Beginning with Joy, he said that "not only is it not subject to the inevitable wear of time, but it multiplies when it is shared with others! A true joy is shared with others; it even spreads."

Pope’s General Audience – November 13, 2024

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Pope Francis

In his weekly catechesis, Pope Francis reflected on how the Holy Spirit empowered the Blessed Virgin Mary to become the Mother of God.

SUPPORT LABEL

Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Copyright © 2025 Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
Registered Charity # 88523 6000 RR0001
FR | CH