Cardinal Newman: Recommended Texts

With the upcoming beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman, I wish to highlight some of his best works that I would recommend to those seeking to learn from this holy man. Formerly a priest in the Church of England, Newman was received into the Roman Catholic Church on 9 October 1845.

In his early life, he was a major figure in the Oxford Movement to bring the Church of England back to its Catholic roots. Eventually his studies in history persuaded him to become a Catholic. Both before and after becoming a Catholic, he wrote influential books, including Via Media, Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine (1845), Apologia Pro Vita Sua (1865–66) and the Grammar of Assent (1870).

One of his most powerful statements which I have mentioned in prior posts is his words: "To know history is to cease to be protestant."

1. An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine (A classic and a must read for anyone that reads Newman)

2. The Apologia Pro Vita Sua (Now a Classic in Western literature)

3. 3ed of the preface of the Via Media (very good also, talks about the roles of the Church as priest, prophet and king)

4. An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent (A more philosophical work; very good also)

5. Many of the sermons (very powerful and critical of 19th century culture and reflections on the human condition. Furthermore it concerns itself with hell and the afterlife)