The famous writer Tolkien was Catholic and attended Mass daily. Creator of The Lord of the Rings, for years there have been calls for his beatification. Here are the latest updates.

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In recent years, discussions have arisen about the possible beatification of J.R.R. Tolkien.

A renowned British writer and philologist, his fame is tied to masterpieces such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. These works, which revolutionized international literature, remain among the best-selling and most-translated books worldwide.

After his death, his son Christopher published other essential works, including The Silmarillion.

 

Tolkien and his Catholic life

Tolkien was a devout Catholic, attending daily Mass and holding a profound devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary.

In 1953, writing to Jesuit Robert Murray, he described The Lord of the Rings as “a fundamentally Catholic work.”

His eldest son, John, was ordained a priest, reflecting the strong spiritual influence within his family.

In several letters, Tolkien emphasized the importance of the Eucharist as a remedy to strengthen faith. In a 1941 letter to his son Michael, he described the Holy Sacrament as a source of “charm, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all loves upon earth,” a passage quoted by Pope Francis in 2023.

Tolkien translated the Ave Maria and Sub tuum praesidium into Quenya, the constructed language of Arda, the fantasy universe he created. Moreover, he took inspiration from the Madonna to shape the character of Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings. His Marian devotion is evident in both his works and personal life.

 

Efforts for Tolkien’s beatification

Various groups have long promoted the cause for beatification of JRR Tolkien.

In 2015, Father Daniele Ercoli from Turin and several Catholic associations petitioned Archbishop Bernard Longley to initiate the process. They received a positive yet inconclusive response.

A 2018 conference in Oxford did not yield tangible results. Nevertheless, a Mass was celebrated at the Oxford Oratory to mark the opening of the beatification cause, attended by Tolkien’s granddaughter.

In 2024, Archbishop Longley expressed appreciation for the efforts of the newly founded Sociedad Tolkien del Perú, delegating the matter of beatification to Father Julian Booth, responsible for causes of canonization.

We will publish updates should further developments arise.