Today is Cardinal Newman's birthday and the regular 5.45pm EF Mass will be a Missa Cantata. Pope Pius IX gave Cardinal Newman the relics of an early Christian martyr called Valentine (not that one!) with permission to celebrate his feast on 21st February every year so that the Cardinal could offer a High Mass for his birthday. The relics are under the altar of St Athanasius.
 |
| St Athanasius' Altar, Birmingham Oratory |