Cardinal Vaughan to be reburied in Cathedral in centenary year

BY CHRISTINA WHITE
IN A HISTORIC YEAR for Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal Herbert Vaughan is to be reburied in the cathedral he inspired.
This year marks both the centenary of Westminster Cathedral and the centenary of the death of the Cardinal, the former bishop of Salford and archbishop of Westminster, who died in 1903.
He was buried at Mill Hill in north-west London with the Mill Hill Missionaries (MHM) — the St Joseph's Missionary Society — an organisation he founded.
Fr Jac Hetsen, Superior General of the MHM, which sends missionaries across the world, confirmed that the Cardinal's remains would be moved. 'That is going to happen this year, reaffirming the link between the founder of the Cathedral and the diocese," he said.
Sources close to the missionaries have suggested that the Fathers are considering moving from Mill Hill, possibly purchasing a small property in the area so that the name and link with the area may be retained.
A priest of the Westminster diocese said it was "pretty well common knowledge" that the "educational arrangements for both missionaries and students at Mill Hill have been under review for some time". But Fr Hetsen denied that a move was imminent.
"It is not the case at all," he said. "We have no plans as yet. At this stage we just want to refurbish the college, I'm afraid I cannot give you any information at all."
It was Cardinal Vaughan's wish that he he buried with the community at Mill Hill in the Fathers' cemetery but a tomb for his remains already exists in the Cathedral.
A priest, who declined to be named, said it was "perfectly logical" that Cardinal Vaughan should be buried at Westminster. "His mausoleum is in the Cathedral in the Blessed Sacrament chapel and his body would be placed in there. Many of the visitors to the Cathedral presume that he is buried there already."
On June 19, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor will lead a Mass for Corpus Christi at St Joseph's College, Mill Hill, to mark the late Cardinal's death. Memorial prayers will be said at his grave. On June 26, Solemn Vespers of the Dead will be said at Westminster Cathedral in memory of Cardinal Vaughan.
This will be followed by a Mass led by Cardinal MurphyO'Connor, together with all the bishops of England and Wales. Members of the Vaughan family are likely to be present.
Any final decision on the reburial of the Cardinal is believed to remain with the Vaughan family.
The late Cardinal Basil Hume wished to be buried at Ampleforth, where he was schoolboy, monk and abbot, but traditionally cardinals have been buried at the centre of Catholic life. Cardinal Vaughan will return to the cathedral he founded, his lasting memorial.