Pushkin the Pontifical Puss

When Pope Benedict XVI visited the United Kingdom in 2010 many historic and significant events took place. The head of the Catholic Church was personally welcomed to the United Kingdom by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Thousands of young people gathered with Pope Benedict in Hyde Park, London to celebrate an all-night vigil of prayer, including Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For the first time in history on English soil, the Holy Father declared an Englishman Beatus (Blessed) - John Henry Cardinal Newman. However, for one resident of Birmingham these events were nothing compared with the honour he bestowed on the Holy Father.

In the Oratory in Birmingham, the former home of Blessed John Henry Newman, lives Pushkin, the Oratory Cat. But Pushkin is no ordinary cat. He is one of many felines who have played an important part in momentous events in history, not only in England, but worldwide.

The latest book from ST PAULS Publishing, Pushkin: The Pontifical Puss, gives an insight into the life of this extraordinary cat. It details his early life, time spent in Fenton and his encounter with HRH Princess Michael of Kent (in Pushkin’s own words, She-who-wears-diamonds) and Pope Benedict (He-who-wears-white).

With the assistance of his Human (Fr Anton Guziel), his secretary (Carol Parkinson) and illustrations supplied by the Carmelite nuns of the Carmel of the Magnifi-cat, Wolverhampton, Pushkin is delighted to make available his autobiography.

The book contains a Foreword by HRH Princess Michael of Kent and will be published on 21st November.

Picture © L’Osservatore Romano Photographic Service