Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 623

your old selves into a new life, as they can who come from the midst of you".6

He lived out that profoundly human vision of priestly ministry in his devoted

care for the people of Birmingham during the years that he spent at the

Oratory he founded, visiting the sick and the poor, comforting the bereaved,

caring for those in prison. No wonder that on his death so many thousands of

people lined the local streets as his body was taken to its place of burial not

half a mile from here. One hundred and twenty years later, great crowds have

assembled once again to rejoice in the Church's solemn recognition of the

outstanding holiness of this much-loved father of souls. What better way

to express the joy of this moment than by turning to our heavenly Father

in heartfelt thanksgiving, praying in the words that Blessed John Henry

Newman placed on the lips of the choirs of angels in heaven:

Praise to the Holiest in the height

And in the depth be praise;

In all his words most wonderful,

Most sure in all his ways! 7

6 "Men, not Angels: the Priests of the Gospel", Discourses to Mixed Congregations, 3. 7 The Dream of Gerontius.