"Heart Speaks to Heart": Saint John Henry Newman and the Call to Holiness

St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, in Yonkers, New York, marked the canonization of St. John Henry Newman by hosting a symposium of noted Newman scholars to explore the various historical, theological and pastoral dimensions of Newman's understanding of the universal call to holiness. Given the Seminary's mission of forming future priests, as well as candidates for the permanent diaconate, lay people and religious, the intention was that this colloquium dedicated to Newman's sainthood and his conception of humanity's vocation to sanctity would serve as an inspiration to the Seminary community and also to the wider Church.

This collection of papers from the symposium makes a lasting contribution to current Newman scholarship and, in line with his cardinalatial motto "Heart speaks to heart," inspires us to hear and answer God's call from the depths of our hearts with our own personal holiness and to invite others to do the same, one heart at a time.

Newman is a saint for our times precisely because, against the increasing cultural marginalization

of communities that hold to a biblical orthodoxy and Catholic truth, only a commitment to grow in holiness can sustain the decision of faith. We need Newman more than ever, both the person and his

work, in our efforts to form future clergy and lay faithful who can be instruments of sanctification and embodiments of the holiness without which "no one can see God" (Heb 12:14). Bishop James Massa

For Newman, to make sinful creatures holy was "the great end which our Lord had in view in taking upon Him our nature" and the necessity of holiness for salvation is clearly evident throughout salvation history. Consequently, Newman established holiness and calling others to it as among the central themes of his life, preaching, and writings.....May St. John Henry Newman always be our spiritual father and guide us to holiness and eternal life! Timothy Cardinal Dolan

Contributors:

Bishop John O. Barres