Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890) was a masterful educator, a preacher of great fame and a prolific correspondent in the days before e-mail and instant messaging. The dozens of volumes of sermons, tracts and personal correspondence he left behind bear witness to the seeds of his influence, which flowered in many of the documents of Vatican II.
In this issue we highlight the grace-filled meeting of Newman with our own Blessed Dominic Barberi, C.P., Italian missionary to England, who received Newman’s profession of faith in the Roman Catholic Church. Likewise, we learn about the warmth and breadth of Newman’s literary output of theological and personal writings. Their influence on successive generations of believers has given him a rightful claim to the still unofficial title of Doctor of the Church.
Newman was the most frequently quoted theologian at the Council which fostered many developments in the twentieth-century Church, such as a renewed understanding of revelation, ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and the apostolic engagement of the laity, especially women.
Our writers reflect on some of these developments. Rabbi Abraham Heschel in his words and actions called attention to the compassion of God for our world. Many women experience new opportunities to share their strength and gifts in today’s Church. Newman, having lived until the age of 89 himself, has become an example of the need for the Church to develop new pastoral outreach to its own seniors who suffer the challenging burdens of age that come to believers at that stage in life.
May Blessed John Henry Newman inspire all of us by his wisdom and love.
Paul Zilonka, C.P.
Editor
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- Mother Mary Joseph Day – Sutton 2010 (passionistsisters.wordpress.com)
