Kathryn Lopez
1. Pope Benedict on Cardinal Newman, when he beatified him:
While it is John Henry Newman’s intellectual legacy that has understandably received most attention in the vast literature devoted to his life and work, I prefer on this occasion to conclude with a brief reflection on his life as a priest, a pastor of souls. The warmth and humanity underlying his appreciation of the pastoral ministry is beautifully expressed in another of his famous sermons: “Had Angels been your priests, my brethren, they could not have condoled with you, sympathized with you, have had compassion on you, felt tenderly for you, and made allowances for you, as we can; they could not have been your patterns and guides, and have led you on from your old selves into a new life, as they can who come from the midst of you” (“Men, not Angels: the Priests of the Gospel”, Discourses to Mixed Congregations, 3). He lived out that profoundly human vision of priestly ministry in his devoted care for the people of Birmingham during the years that he spent at the Oratory he founded, visiting the sick and the poor, comforting the bereaved, caring for those in prison. No wonder that on his death so many thousands of people lined the local streets as his body was taken to its place of burial not half a mile from here. One hundred and twenty years later, great crowds have assembled once again to rejoice in the Church’s solemn recognition of the outstanding holiness of this much-loved father of souls. What better way to express the joy of this moment than by turning to our heavenly Father in heartfelt thanksgiving, praying in the words that Blessed John Henry Newman placed on the lips of the choirs of angels in heaven:
Praise to the Holiest in the height
And in the depth be praise;
In all his words most wonderful,
Most sure in all his ways!
(The Dream of Gerontius).
2. Homily notes from Fr. Roger Landry:
Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, whom the Church celebrates today, was a man who fought for unity in the faith. We celebrate his feast day today, which is the day he was ordained a Catholic priest, as a result of his having corresponded to the Lord’s desire for unity in the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church Christ founded. His motto, “Cor ad cor loquitur,” as Pope Benedict said when he beatified him in 2010, is meant to make us one with Christ’s heart and Christ’s desire for unity: “Cardinal Newman’s motto, Cor ad cor loquitur, or ‘Heart speaks unto heart,’ gives us an insight into his understanding of the Christian life as a call to holiness, experienced as the profound desire of the human heart to enter into intimate communion with the Heart of God. He reminds us that faithfulness to prayer gradually transforms us into the divine likeness. … Today’s Gospel tells us that no one can be the servant of two masters (cf. Lk 16:13), and Blessed John Henry’s teaching on prayer explains how the faithful Christian is definitively taken into the service of the one true Master, who alone has a claim to our unconditional devotion (cf. Mt 23:10).” “That stronger man” strengthens us to gather with him out of love and to remain wholly his.
3.
On the Feast of Blessed John Henry Newman raise a glass to Pius X, says @SSBullivant http://t.co/ifSFM4zZh8 pic.twitter.com/GN8wFXBFWl
— Catholic Herald (@CatholicHerald) October 9, 2015
5.
Why is today's Blessed JH Newman's memorial & not the date of his death (8/11)? B/C that was already St Clare & this is date he became RC.
— Amy Welborn (@amywelborn2) October 9, 2015
6. Newman, The Oxford Movement, and the Hunger for Dogma
7. Catholic University of America president John Garvey on Newman and Catholic education:
8.
'To holy people the name of Jesus … can raise the dead & transfigure & beautify the living.' ~Blessed John Newman pic.twitter.com/PXUHn4r7s9
— N. Catholic Register (@NCRegister) October 9, 2015
9.
Happy feast of Bl. John Henry Newman! Most of his quotes are way too long to put on Twitter.
— Matt Swaim (@mattswaim) October 9, 2015
Though I did find this creative approach to the challenge:
"With Christians, a poetical view of things is a duty." #dailyeSpiration from Bl. John Henry Newman pic.twitter.com/TXNC4rZ253
— Steubenville (@go2steubenville) July 30, 2015
One last Twitter thing: Chad Pecknold is geeking out on all things synod. Fun history. Most constructive thing I’ve seen surrounding the ongoing synod on Twitter!
One of my favorite Synods is Orange. It basically said, Pelagian thesis anathema, + Augustine authoritative on the primacy of divine agency.
— Chad Pecknold (@ccpecknold) October 9, 2015
10. #CantTweetThis: from Cardinal Newman:
God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.
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