Retreat at Littlemore

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, I went on a short overnight retreat to The College at Littlemore (Oxford) with a small group of priests. St. John Henry Newman lived at The College from 1842 – 1846, making it a place of prayer and study for himself and friends. It was there on 9th October 1845 that he was received into full communion with the Church by Bl. Dominic Barberi, an Italian missionary. In 1987, the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory entrusted The College to the care of The Work (Das Werk). As with the other Newman Centres in Rome, Bregenz (Austria), and Budapest (Hungary), this centre in Littlemore aims at making the life and work of St. John Henry Newman known. The Society of The Work, founded by Mother Julia Verhaeghe (1910 – 1997), serves the Church in various ways, and looks after The College. Newman’s oratory has again become a place of prayer and worship, with the officium, daily hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and regular Masses. A substantial and specialised collection of Newman-related literature has been built up on the site from Newman’s own library, together with an exhibition of Newman memorabilia (prints, etchings, photographs, sculptures and original letters). Visitors are welcome to visit Newman’s room and chapel and the museum and library for studies and research: check their website for opening times. There are six rooms available for private retreats.