Westminster: Mass celebrating Cardinals Wiseman and Manning

Jun 10th, 2015

Westminster Cathedral image: ICN

On Tuesday, 9 June 2015, the Feast of St Columba, Cardinal Vincent Nichols celebrated a Requiem Mass in Westminster Cathedral for Cardinals Wiseman and Manning, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman and the consecration of Henry Edward Manning as the 2nd Archbishop of Westminster.

Fr Nicholas Schofield delivered the homily, in which he recalled the lives and legacy of these two great cardinals: "Though neither of them lived to see the building of this cathedral, it is appropriate that they lie directly below the sanctuary in the crypt, their tombs almost acting as foundation stones - because all that this cathedral and diocese are about today are a direct result of their bold vision and their courageous labours."

Although very different in so many ways, they shared an "essential unity of purpose". They wanted to "build up the Church so that she could effectively serve the growing numbers of Catholics."

Recalling their legacy, Fr Nicholas said: "Their concern was to build churches, open schools, establish religious houses and care for the marginalized. They wanted an educated and holy laity, served by well-trained and diligent priests. They were concerned with the breaking down of the barriers imposed by anti-Catholic prejudice, by now so much part of the English psyche, and they wanted the Church's vision to extend beyond the Catholic community so that it could work for the common good."

Saying it was fitting to take a moment to reflect on the past and 'honour our founding fathers', he reminded those present that we are "links in a great chain of faith/" He said: "Circumstances change, but it is the same faith in Christ Jesus, the same need for a living relationship with Him, that needs to be proclaimed and passed on."

After Mass, Cardinal Vincent prayed at the tombs of the two great Cardinals in the crypt of the Cathedral.

There is an exhibition about the lives and work of the two great cardinals in St Patrick's Chapel in the Cathedral.

Fr Nicholas Schofield is Diocesan Archivist. The Archives recently received a major deposit of papers relating to Cardinal Manning.

The full text of the homily given by Fr Nicholas Schofield follows:

At this Mass we celebrate three followers of Christ, each in their own way acting as beacons of light that shone 'in the sight of men.'

First, there is today's saint, Columba, one of the founding fathers of the Celtic Church. As you probably know, he founded the great monastery of Iona and did so much to evangelise the Picts and (through his monks) parts of northern England. St Columba comes across as a larger than life personality, with a booming voice that could be heard a mile off and impressively industrious habits: 'he never let a single hour pass,' we are told, 'without engaging in prayer, reading or writing or some other occupation...And in the midst of all his toils, he appeared loving unto all, serene and holy, rejoicing in the joy of the Holy Spirit in his inmost heart.'

We also remember this evening two of the founding fathers of this diocese. Though neither of them lived to see the building of this cathedral, it is appropriate that they lie directly below the sanctuary in the crypt, their tombs almost acting as foundation stones - because all that this cathedral and diocese are about today are a direct result of their bold vision and their courageous labours. I refer, of course, to Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman and Cardinal Henry Edward Manning, the first two Archbishops of Westminster. This week sees the 150th anniversary of Manning's consecration as bishop in the pro-Cathedral of St Mary Moorfields, necessarily meaning that this year also sees the 150th anniversary of the death of his predecessor. At this Mass we remember their legacy and pray for the repose of their souls.

Cardinals Wiseman and Manning - so different from each other and yet so similar! Wiseman had an Irish background (though he was born in Seville); Manning was English to the bone. Wiseman was educated at the great Catholic colleges of Ushaw and the Venerabile; Manning was a product of Harrow and Balliol. Wiseman was a visionary, his brilliant mind quickly becoming impatient with the routine details of running a diocese; Manning was highly practical with an eye for detail (and an equally grand vision). Wiseman gloried in every rubrical complexity when celebrating the Church's liturgy; Manning was slightly more relaxed in these matters and even once admitted to Wiseman, 'I am never afraid of you - except when you are in vestments'. Even in appearance there was a contrast: the genial, rosy-cheeked Wiseman and the austere, rather stern-looking Manning.

But appearances can be deceptive because, beneath all this, there was an essential unity in purpose. After several centuries of persecution and obscurity, Wiseman and Manning wanted to build up the Church so that she could effectively serve the growing numbers of Catholics (especially in the cities) and to be that 'salt of the earth' that our Gospel speaks of. Their concern was to build churches, open schools, establish religious houses and care for the marginalized. They wanted an educated and holy laity, served by well-trained and diligent priests. They were concerned with the breaking down of the barriers imposed by anti-Catholic prejudice, by now so much part of the English psyche, and they wanted the Church's vision to extend beyond the Catholic community so that it could work for the common good. On the feast of St Columba, it is fitting to recall their great love for the people of Ireland, who made such a strong contribution to the Second Spring. They often lived in great poverty and Manning, in particular, was well known for championing the rights of those who were marginalized and without a voice.

It is good, then, for us to pause this evening and to honour our founding fathers. So consumed are we by the present, that it is easy to forget we stand on the shoulders of giants. We are links in a great chain of faith, going back to the time of Wiseman and Manning, and through them to the days of Challoner, the English Martyrs, the medieval monks, and the missionary work of St Columba and his contemporaries. Circumstances change, but it is the same faith in Christ Jesus, the same need for a living relationship with Him, that needs to be proclaimed and passed on. And as we strive to do this, we put our trust in the Lord and think of the famous words of St Columba: 'Alone with none but you, our God we journey on our way; what need we fear when you are near, O Lord of night and day? More secure are we within your hand than if a multitude did round us stand. Amen.' Eternal rest grant unto them...St Columba, pray for us.