Saint John Henry Newman: 7 reasons why he is a saint for our times

Cardinal John Henry Newman, canonized by Pope Francis in 2019, is a monumental figure in the history of the Catholic Church.

Born in London in 1801, his life was marked by the tireless search for truth, which led him to convert from Anglicanism to Catholicism in 1845.

His transformation, together with his contributions to education and theology, has placed him as a spiritual and intellectual reference for the Catholic Church and a “saint for our times,” as Father Juan R. Vélez told ACI Prensa. expert on the life and work of Newman and author of several books about him.

In an interview given to ACI Prensa on July 8, he highlighted why the legacy and teachings of the Cardinal are vital for current generations.

1. Cardinal Newman affirmed that faith and science are not opposed

Father Vélez, an Opus Dei priest who has known John Henry Newman since he began his doctoral studies at the University of Navarra (Spain), describes the saint as “passionate about the truth.”

“As a priest, Newman invited everyone to follow Jesus, which must be the foundation of life. He is the Son of God; He is the one who gives meaning to our existence,” he commented.

This call to follow Christ is one of the pillars of Newman’s teachings, who firmly believed that “faith and science are not opposed,” but rather complement each other.

“Faith illuminates the mind to reach beyond reason. Through reason, man knows the world and through reason illuminated by faith, man knows God,” explained Father Vélez, expressing the saint’s thoughts.

Newman also taught that God is reached through “the heart and reason,” a thought that, according to Vélez, “aligns with the famous phrase of the philosopher Blaise Pascal: ‘The heart has reasons that reason does not know.’” “Human beings know through a rich way of connecting the testimony of others, conscience and many other sources in an often implicit way,” he added.

2. He invited the cultivation of intellect in university classrooms

Another lesson from Cardinal Newman for the new generations, the priest indicated, is to “cultivate the intellectual habit of the mind in the university.”

“The university seeks universal knowledge and each science is part of this circle of knowledge. If a science is omitted, and especially theology, university knowledge is not only incomplete, but it is distorted because one science tries to usurp the role of another,” explained the priest.

And he added: “God expects us, his children, to act in the world and for that, Christians must know our faith and deepen it.”

3. He tirelessly sought the truth throughout his life

Cardinal Newman was distinguished by his tireless pursuit of truth, a trait that led him to make difficult decisions, such as his conversion to the Catholic faith. “He sought the truth about the religion wanted by Jesus despite the sacrifice it cost him, that is, leaving his prestige as an Anglican clergyman and the pleasure and comfort of his life in Oxford,” commented Father Vélez.

In addition to his love of truth, Cardinal Newman was a man of “ambition to achieve good things, namely to renew the Anglican church (when he was still an Anglican).” He founded the Catholic University of Ireland in Dublin and established the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England, founded a college for young men, published many works of theology, among other projects.

4. He had a great sensitivity for art and a deep sense of humor

Vélez also highlighted the balance that Newman maintained between spiritual life and cultural expressions such as music, since the saint “played the violin throughout his life.” He “understood that man is a unitary being situated in a historical context; “Life and faith are much more than intellectual reasoning,” the priest added.

He said that “he was a man of good taste, sensitive, given to detail and analysis of himself and, therefore, sometimes he was indecisive.”

He also detailed that Cardinal Newman possessed “good humor, which is clearly expressed in his letters,” as well as a “big heart that manifested the charity of Christ.” “Testimony to the latter was that when he died the streets of Birmingham were packed with people, many humble, to honor the passage of his coffin,” he noted.

5. He published a large number of works for spiritual growth

“I have been studying the life of this great saint for almost thirty years, whom some put in the same league as Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas (…) He is recognized as one of the greats of the 19th century in England,” said Father Vélez. .

For those interested in delving into Newman’s thought, the priest suggests five fundamental works, beginning with the novel Callistawhich explores the conversion of a young pagan girl in the 4th century, and her short meditations, which bring the reader closer to an intimate relationship with God. In that sense, Father Vélez highlights the clarity and beauty with which Cardinal Newman wrote.

Among his most notable theological works are some of his homilies that “deal with faith, grace, the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and Christian virtues”; and the book Idea of ​​the Universityconsidered today a classic essay on the reason for the university’s existence. Finally, your Apology for Vita Suaan intellectual autobiography, is widely recognized for its literary quality.

“To better appreciate Newman’s life, his person and these works, it is worth reading a biography of his life. In this regard, Father Juan Alonso, professor of theology at the University of Navarra, has edited a book John Henry Newman: Doctor, pastor, santo (San Pablo, 2022) and I wrote one Cardinal Newman, a saint for today’s world (Logos, 2019)”, shared Father Vélez.

6. It is an example of conversion and defense of the Catholic faith

Cardinal Newman’s conversion to Catholicism was the fruit of a deep process of study and prayer. According to Father Vélez, “it was his study of the history of the Church and its dogmas, moved by the grace of God in prayer, that led him to understand that the Catholic Church is the true flock established by Jesus and that it has grown and developed over the centuries.”

This conviction was what made him a fervent defender of the Catholic faith, despite the difficulties he faced when abandoning Anglicanism.

Cardinal Newman “understood that doctrinal changes over centuries in the Church are true developments of the doctrines of the apostles and not corruption of this,” explained Father Vélez.

7. You can become a friend and spiritual guide

For those who are in the process of conversion, Father Vélez offers advice inspired by Cardinal Newman: “Prayer and the daily reading of the Word of God are fundamental to knowing God and what he asks of each of us.”

Along the same lines, he invited the “study of the history of the Church to better understand the revelation of God”, to read “some Fathers of the Church such as Saint Augustine, Saint Athanasius and Saint Basil and thus drink from the sources of these great saints”, and finally to analyze “the documents of the councils, especially the Second Vatican Council, which teach us the correct interpretation of the revelation of Christ”.

Father Vélez concludes the interview with a moving quote from Newman: “God has created all things for good; all things for his greatest good; all for his own good… God has decided, unless I interfere with his plan, that I will achieve what will be my greatest happiness. He looks at me individually, he calls me by name, he knows what I can do, what I can best be, what my greatest happiness is, and he intends to give it to me.”

This quote, which belongs to the Meditations and Devotions by Newman, encapsulates the saint’s vision of divine providence and the individuality of each soul, making him a spiritual guide accessible and relevant to all.

About Father Juan R. Vélez

Father Juan R. Vélez resides in Miami, United States, and has training in internal medicine, which he studied before his ordination.

Together with some friends, write for the page cardinaljohnhenrynewman.comwhere they address themes of faith inspired by the writings of Saint John Henry Newman.