Firmly I Believe - Part 1 

An interview between James McCullough and Fr Guy Nicholls, an Oratorian priest, in the library at the Birmingham Oratory, on Blessed John Henry Newman.
In this three part documentary, James McCullough interviews Fr Guy Nicholls, an Oratorian father and Founder of the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music, about Newman’s later life focussing especially on his time in Birmingham after his move from Oxford and time spent in Rome. Filmed in the beautiful and extensive library at the Birmingham Oratory, Fr Guy shares insights into Newmans thinking and the contribution he made to the Church after his conversion.
Part one of this programme begins in Rome looking at Newman’s choice to join the Oratorian order. Much of the programme gives an astute analysis of Newman’s decisions which lead him on a spiritual journey in a quest for the absolute truth. In this first instance we see how his decision to become an Oratorian is based on a combination of his awareness of his personality needs plus the advice of good friends as well as a clear vision of how he could best serve. We hear how the order suited Newman’s love of beauty through music, by the interweaving of music, prayer and preaching in the order. In particular Newman, an accomplished musician, adopted St Philip Neri’s approach to using songs of praise in the vernacular to accompany the liturgy. The order also gave him scope to use his individual talents as he saw fit and yet to come together with the order for prayer and meals. This was a way of life which he had appreciated as a young don in Oxford, living a communal life which now compensated for the loss of the companionship of his family and friends which came about as a result of his conversion.
This aspect of Newman’s personality - the importance of friendship - is expanded upon in light of his strong bond with Ambrose StJohn, which was based upon a unity of purpose. He inspired loyalty and sacrifice as seen by his friendships with Fr Jospeh Gordon and Fr Edward Caswell who supported Newman’s mission through difficult times and who were all ultimately buried together according to Newman’s request.