This year has seen a special grace in the movement to Canonise J. R. R. Tolkien, with the first Mass being celebrated at the Oxford Oratory on the 2nd September 2017, calling for prayer for the cause for canonisation to be formally opened.

The first Mass marked the 44th anniversary of Tolkien’s death. The cause is under the guidance of Fr Daniele Pietro Ercoli, a Salesian priest from the Diocese of Treviso (but as a Salesian belonging to the religious province of Triveneto).

The Tolkien Canonisation Conference 2018, will be the weekend of Saturday 1st to Sunday 2nd of September. The Conference aims to provide a cultural dialogue to advocate for the sanctity of Tolkien’s personal life, as well as how this was mediated through his artistic works. As a fruit of the Conference we would hope to discern the Spirit as to if we she should formally attempt to begin the official Canonisation process in the Roman Catholic Tradition by getting a postulator. We have a already contacted the Archbishop of Birmingham Bernard Longley, who has given us backing to tell people about Tolkien's faith and how it affected his life and writings. We have also been told we can spread a prayer for private devotion.

The Conference setting is the historic Littlemore, International Centre of Newman friends, which is cared for by the sisters of the Spiritual Family of the Work. The Conference will be held in the glorious "College" room that was the site of the actual conversion of Blessed John Henry Newman at the feet of Blessed Dominic Barberi, and of their first Mass together on the day after his conversion, when he was welcomed into the Church. Conference talks will be between 9-5 on Saturday and Sunday and a packed lunch will be included, allowing participants to familiarise themselves with the historical setting - which includes Newman's own room and chapel, as well as the beautiful garden with his bust in pride of place. With the intercession of these two heavenly patrons, we hope the Conference will be a great success and contribute to the New Evangelisation of culture.