This new collection of Newman’s prayers from ST PAULS Publishing uniquely recalls Newman’s own long life in a set of beautiful illustrations of places that were dear to him. While the pictures remind us of his life, the prayers make it plain that he felt close to God at every stage of it. Through controversy, loneliness, sickness, the parting of friends, bereavement, Newman lived constantly in the presence of God.

The words of his prayers and devotional writings are simple and direct. They are in some ways the best way into his heart, for they are very often his own words for his own needs. This makes them very powerful for us too. Whatever circumstances we are in, however long or difficult our lives, we are likely to find in the prayers of John Henry Newman an echo of the thoughts of our own hearts. In these prayers the words of his cardinal’s motto really are true: ‘Heart speaks to heart’.

Now that Newman is to be beatified by Pope Benedict XVI his life and his prayers are held up to us by the Church as a model for our own. More important still, we can look to him to pray for us in heaven. But beyond this exciting year we hope that it will not be too long before John Henry Newman is canonised and even declared a Doctor of the Church.