John Henry Newman

Today the Episcopal Church remembers someone who was an Anglican but then became a Roman Catholic, John Henry Newman.  Newman was born on this day in February of 1801 and died on the 11^th of August 1890.  He was part of the Oxford Movement in England which sought to bring the Church of England back to its roots in the Early Church Fathers. Eventually his studies in history persuaded him to become a Roman Catholic. Both before and after becoming a Roman Catholic, Newman 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).

Newman was ordained an Anglican priest on the Feast of the Holy Trinity, 29 May 1825.  He became curate of St. Clement’s in Oxford, England. 

Newman started out as an evangelical Oxford academic, and became a leader in the Oxford Movement. Newman wrote the Tracts for the Times, whose aim was to secure for the Church of England a definite basis of doctrine and discipline. The teaching of the tracts was supplemented by Newman's Sunday afternoon sermons at St Mary's, and he was a large influence over the members of the university for some 8 years.

In 1845 Newman left the Church of England and was received into the Roman Catholic Church where he was eventually granted the rank of cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. He was instrumental in the founding of the Catholic University of Ireland, which evolved into University College, Dublin, which is now the largest university in Ireland.

Let us pray:  God of all wisdom, we thank you for John Henry Newman, whose eloquence bore witness that your Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic, and who made his own life a pilgrimage towards your truth. Grant that, inspired by his words and example, we may ever follow your kindly light till we rest in your bosom, with your dear Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, where heart speaks to heart eternally; for you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY TO THE REV. DR. ALLEN ROBINSON, WHO HELPED MAKE OUR FIRST SESSION IN THE LENTEN SERIES A GREAT SUCCESS.  WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE SESSIONS.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The next Wednesday Lenten Series will be at Grace Episcopal with the Benedictine monks, Fr. Peter and Br. Michael.

Absalom Jones Day Eucharist at Hope Episcopal Church, 1613 West 43rd Street, Houston, Texas on Saturday, 23 February 2013 at 3 pm.

DOK Quiet Day at Trinity in Dickenson on Saturday, 16 March from 9 am to 2 pm led by the Rev. Nan Doerr. Contact Teresa Antley at 281-802-5881 or the Rev. Stacy Stringer at 281-337-1833.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550