Journeying With Newman

We've heard podcast reflections from a number of academics contributing to our 'Journeying With Newman' series. Today's a little different as we listen to Dr Joanna Bullivant and her husband Dr Stephen Bullivant.  Stephen's Professor of Theology and the Sociology of Religion at St Mary's University and Joanna's a lecturer at Oxford University. With the kids asleep at the time of recording, Stephen and Joanna were able to record a reflection on a passage from  John Henry Newman’s translation of a fragment of poetry from St Gregory of Nazianzus, entitled ‘The Married and the Single’.

Brother Reed Frey gives this reflection on John Henry Newman and the influence of truth. Brother Frey is a seminarian studying for the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States.

"The concern of Newman to 'touch hearts' runs throughout his life and work. We can think here of the motto he took upon his elevation to the rank of Cardinal: 'Heart speaks unto heart'. He cared deeply about other people, and he related to them in the most intimate way. He knew this was the best approach to witness to the saving truth of the Gospel and the work of Jesus Christ."

Catholic priest and former physician Fr Juan Velez gives us his reflection on Newman and the laity. Fr Velez lives in Miami, Florida, and is a priest of Opus Dei, a personal Prelature of the Catholic Church. He is the author of 'Passion for Truth, the Life of John Henry Newman'.

Two approved miracles are required to be declared a saint. The second miracle - paving the way for John Henry Newman's canonisation - came after Melissa Villalobos was miraculously cured during her pregnancy. In this reflection, she looks at Newman's teaching on the motherhood of Mary.

Fr Ignatius Harrison, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory where John Henry Newman lived, gives a reflection on Newman's writings on God's providence and the unique plan He has for all of us.

Fr Joe McCullough, Chaplain at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, gives a reflection on John Henry Newman's writings on Forgiveness. Fr Joe's brother Patrick was tragically murdered by loyalist paramilitaries in 1972 at the height of The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Joseph Harrison, a pupil at the London Oratory School who is soon to attend Newman's College in Oxford, Oriel, gives a personal reflection on John Henry Newman on Education.

Fr George Bowen of the Brompton Oratory, London, gives a reflection on John Henry Newman on the Saints.

As a particular inspiration, Fr Bowen looks at Elgar's 'The Dream of Gerontius' set to a poem by Newman.