National Institute for Newman Studies Readies for Increased Interest in the Life and Works of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman Following Canonization Announcement

USA - English

• USA - English

PITTSBURGH, July 3, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As the leading center for studies on Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman (Newman) in North America, the National Institute for Newman Studies (NINS) is celebrating and preparing for increased interest in the soon-to-be saint and his large body of written works following Pope Francis's announcement on Monday. The canonization will take place on October 13, 2019 at the Vatican with Pope Francis presiding over the ceremony. Newman, the revered nineteenth-century intellectual and Catholic convert, will be the first English-born non-martyr saint since the seventeenth century (1600s).

Newman's canonization follows the confirmation of two miracles attributed to him, the first of which was confirmed in 2009. Deacon Jack Sullivan of Massachusetts defied medical explanation by recovering from a crippling spinal cord injury in 2001 after praying to Newman. This incident paved the way for Newman's beatification by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

On November 28, 2018, a second confirmed miracle qualified Newman for sainthood. An American expectant mother prayed for the intercession of Newman at the time of a life-threatening diagnosis. Experts again were unable to provide a medical explanation for her recovery.

"Newman's continued influence in theology, philosophy, and spirituality made his sainthood imminent," said Father Drew Morgan, co-founder of the National Institute for Newman Studies (NINS). "What he was able to accomplish during the period of his life as a Catholic, and even after his death through the power of prayer, is simply awe-inspiring. We're proud to be a part of keeping his spirit alive."

After participating in the Oxford Movement, which led to his conversion from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism, Newman made a number of significant contributions to the Catholic Church. He was the first Rector of the Catholic University of Ireland (now the University College of Dublin, the largest university in Ireland) and produced a high volume of written works and lectures that will soon become digitally accessible online through NINS's Digital Collections, beginning in July. In total, the NINS Digital Collection will house more than 200,000 digitized images of Newman's handwritten papers, images of his published books and articles, and never-before-seen manuscripts from the Birmingham Oratory archive. Scholars across the globe have the opportunity to be notified on updates of the digital collections by entering their name and email on the NINS website: https://www.newmanstudies.org/library#digital-collections.

Newman's thought also had a major impact on Vatican II (1962-65), which was the most recent gathering of the world's bishops for an ecumenical council. Despite his passing seventy-two years prior, Newman's book, An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, was influential in the Second Vatican Council's discussions on how to think about the Church's relationship with the modern world. As a result of this influence, many historians have deemed Newman the "Father of the Second Vatican Council." Additionally, Newman made significant contributions to our understanding of liberal arts education. His volume of lectures titled, The Idea of a University, detailed his unique philosophy of education, which blended an emphasis on research free from direct ecclesiastical oversight while maintaining fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

"Newman was a self-proclaimed controversialist," said Dr. Ryan Marr, Director of NINS. "He was a forward thinker and never hesitated to ask challenging questions or go against the grain, but he also always remained grounded in Church tradition. That's why he continues to have such an impact on the Catholic world today. There's still a great deal we can learn from him."

Having served as the first Rector of the Catholic University of Ireland, Newman also founded the University's Literary and Historical Society as well as the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Birmingham, England, the first-ever English-speaking Oratory.

Today, universities and institutions continue to reflect Newman's influence. He was known to encourage students at public non-Catholic universities to form societies or clubs to encourage prayer and growth in the Catholic faith. The first Newman club originated at Oxford in 1888, and there are now hundreds of Newman Centers at non-Catholic universities throughout the United States, England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The NINS team will be attending the canonization on October 13 and will be available for media interviews and continued education opportunities ahead of the ceremony.

To learn more about NINS and its resources, please visit http://www.newmanstudies.org or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the National Institute for Newman Studies:
The National Institute for Newman Studies (NINS) is a non-profit organization affiliated with Duquesne University. Located in the Gailliot Center for Newman Studies, NINS provides resources for scholars dedicated to promoting the study of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman's life, influence, and work. As a private research library, NINS maintains the most comprehensive and accessible collection of Newman-related texts in both print and digital formats in North America, and offers Newman scholars the most advanced academic tools for their work. For more information, visit http://www.newmanstudies.org or e-mail [email protected].

SOURCE National Institute for Newman Studies