Saint John Henry Newman

“Let us put ourselves into His hands, and not be startled though He leads us by a strange way, a mirabilis via, as the Church speaks. Let us be sure He will lead us right, that He will bring us to that which is, not indeed what we think best, nor what is best for another, but what is best for us.”

If we reflect on the 19th-century’s English theology, we can meet with many different names. However, the most outstanding is the name of Saint John Henry Newman, who spent the first half of his life as an Anglican and the second half as a Roman Catholic. He was a priest, cardinal, popular preacher, writer, and eminent theologian in both churches. He published 40 books and 21,000 letters. Although Newman was not always understood or appreciated, he faithfully preached the Good News by word and example. That is why on October 9 we will celebrate his feast as it is the day after his anniversary of becoming Catholic. Another special day for this saint will take place on All Saints' Day, November 1, when, in the context of the Jubilee of World Education, Pope Leo XIV will name him Doctor of the Church.

As we can surely notice, the most fascinating element of Newman’s life is the fact that he served both Anglican and the Roman Catholic Church. Historical research made him suspect that the Catholic Church was in closest continuity with the Church that Jesus established. Two years after his conversion to Catholicism he was ordained a Catholic priest in Rome and joined the Congregation of the Oratory, founded three centuries earlier by Saint Philip Neri.

In his own special way and through his work, Saint John Henry Newman is linked also to Saint Augustine as a great theologian who built upon Augustinian traditions. The connection between these two great doctors is not only through their relentless pursuit of the truth. Newman mainly drew inspiration from Augustine's understanding of faith, particularly the human experience of encountering God through conscience, which he describes as the natural sphere for encountering God's voice and an echo of God’s voice.

This inner voice doesn’t guide everyone toward an identical mission, but it leads every single one of us toward our unique calling and service to God, requiring sincere discernment and obedience to be heard and to cultivate holiness. It’s not as simple as just listening to our heart because “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17,9). It happens through a concrete and solid contemplation of our life tied up closely with a profound connection to God via prayer. When we undergo this experience God speaks to us clearly through the voice of our conscience purified by Holy Spirit’s presence.

Let us pray to God to guide us always as he guided Saint John Henry Newman and Saint Augustine towards his Son, the only Truth. Let us have always opened hearts to the suggestions of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God present in our conscience.

In Christ,

Br. Jakub Starý, O.S.A.