Today we celebrate the feast of St. John Henry Newman. When I was studying biology in college, the Catholic communities on secular universities were called the Newman Clubs after John Henry Newman. The Catholic chaplain at my college had a dog whose name was John Henry. Fr. Jim often spoke about John Henry, the saint … …. and his dog, too.
St. John Henry Newman was born in 1801 and died in 1890 in London. His religious journey lead him through evangelical Protestantism to the Anglican church and finally to the Catholic church. He was very educated and published many poems, essays, and writings about Catholic teachings. As opposed to the Protestant individualistic outlook, he saw the importance of Catholic doctrine and the function of the Church in everyone’s life. He was dedicated to Catholic education, especially at the university level. This long journey to faith within the Catholic church produced a deep sense of faith and hope in John Henry and a respect for each person.
I guess it was in college where I learned about God’s language, how he talks to us. The events in our lives and our responses are like a conversation with God. Based on St. John Henry’s deep faith and hope in the presence of God in each of our lives (see above quotation), Fr. Jim would often say to us: Trust in God, trust in the process of life. I don’t know how many times he repeated it, but always: trust in God, trust in the process of life.
The presence of the Prince of Peace, the Savior, continues through the Church – its doctrine, liturgy, community, and service. We are not just disconnected individuals with a one-on-one personal relationship with God. That is what St. John Henry discovered in his life and his life and words invite us to share in that faith and hope through service. So, in these last days of the Christmas season, I say to you: Trust in God, trust the process of life. God has created you and entrusted you with a special mission that only you can carry out with your life. What a joy of us.
Image: https://garystockbridge617.getarchive.net/amp/media/john-henry-newman-by-sir-john-everett-millais-1st-bt-15ad03; public domain.