Campus Ministry - The Newman Way: Courage, Truth, & Friendship
By: Edgar Guzmán
Serving the Campus of Fresno State University in California
Title: Director of Campus Ministry
Happy feast day of St. John Henry Newman! We are only celebrating the 5th year of his sainthood, so he might not be on your church calendars today. After reading this, hopefully you’re moved to share a bit about him today.
Cardinal John Henry Newman, a towering figure in the 19th century, profoundly impacted Catholic thought, education, and ministry. Newman's life story is full of profound moments that propelled him into the next. His journey from Anglicanism to Catholicism and his writings on the development of doctrine remain highly influential. For college campus ministers today, Newman's life and teachings offer timeless wisdom.
Three qualities stand out in his journeys, writings, lectures, and day-to-day encounters: courage, friendship, and truth. These are three qualities that we can all better implement in our lives.
Newman's conversion to Catholicism will never cease to amaze me. A religious leader who inspired others and a leading voice for the Anglican church intentionally decided to follow truth wherever it led him, courageously. The courage to embark on the spiritual journey of truth, the courage (and humility) to submit to what he found, and the courage to embrace a new identity, an identity that, as a result, lost a significant portion of the life he knew before. Newman lost his appointment at Oxford University, close friends and family, and his renowned reputation in England. Catholicism was more than just frowned upon during his time. Despite the result of his conversion, which he knew would occur, he had the courage to embark and see his spiritual journey through.
His courage resulted in a more profound spiritual journey with and to truth. Truth motivated Newman to persevere through the negative side-effects of his conversion because he had made himself a disciple of truth. A truth that always led him closer to Christ. He challenges us through his profound commitment to the pursuit of truth, which he regarded as central to the Christian faith and the life of believers. Newman spoke of a deep relationship with the truth, "My desire hath been to have Truth for my chiefest friend, and no enemy but error." This truth that he sought was not one of just knowledge but a truth that demanded action. Newman taught that there can be no separation between our beliefs and conduct. Our every word, deeds, and thoughts should be of one committed to Christ.
One way Newman personified truth in action was through his friendships. Throughout his life, he had such close relationships that he cherished. So much so his initial burial place was a shared gravesite with his lifelong friend Ambrose St. John. Friendship for Newman was essential to bettering himself as a follower of Christ. He viewed friendship as a gift from God, a gift that is essential for personal growth and spiritual development. We are fortunate to have many letters from Newman to his friends because it is through them that we get to witness an individual who, as Dr. Scott Hahn puts it, "had a gift of friendship." We read in the Gospel of John that Christ no longer calls us servants but calls us friends. Words from Christ that ought not to be taken lightly. Truth can be pursued through Christ-centered friendships that humbly and personally accompany others in their discovery of God in their lives. These friendships foster a deep, authentic connection rooted in mutual spiritual growth.
These three qualities challenge us to accompany our student communities on a personal level, perhaps to a point that pushes us to the limits of our comfort and takes courage. Newman challenges us to trust and seek Christ's way, always pursuing truth. Knowing that our faith and lives are meant to be a gift to ourselves and others, surround yourself in Christ-centered friendships. These qualities can only come from the heart of a follower of Christ, as we see in Newman's coat of arms—Heart Speaks To Heart.