Holiness Before Peace:
The Life and Thought of
St. John Henry Newman
with Dr. Ryan Marr
Holiness Before Peace: The Life and Thought of St. John Henry Newman
This six-week online course will explore the profound theological, philosophical, and pastoral contributions of St. John Henry Newman, one of the most influential Catholic thinkers of the modern era. Participants will examine Newman’s journey from Anglicanism to Catholicism, his theory of doctrinal development, his vision for education, and his mature view of the Church. Through guided readings, discussion, and reflection, the course will illuminate Newman’s relevance for contemporary Catholic Practice.
The first session of the course is:
August 4, 2026 (7:00–8:30 PM PST)
"The Idea of a University"
One of his most famous works is The Idea of a University, which argues that education should form the whole person—not merely provide vocational training. Your organization’s documents specifically highlight his belief that true education shapes the intellect, imagination, conscience, and character.
Newman is considered one of the most influential Christian thinkers of the 19th century because of his contributions to:
- Catholic theology
- Education and university life
- The relationship between faith and reason
- The development of Christian doctrine
- Conscience and personal holiness
Session 1
August 4, 2026
Newman’s Life and Historical Context
Topics:
- Newman’s early life and Anglican background
- The Oxford Movement and its significance
- Newman’s conversion to Catholicism
Assigned Readings:
- Apologia Pro Vita Sua (selected chapters)
- https://www.newmancanonisation.com/1801
Goal: Understand Newman’s personal journey and its impact on his theology.
Session 2
August 11, 2026
Newman the Preacher
Topics:
- Newman’s vision of preaching as a pastoral and theological act
- Newman’s method of interpreting Scripture in the context of preaching
Assigned Readings:
- Parochial and Plain Sermons (select sermons: “Holiness Necessary for Future Blessedness,” “The Religion of the Day”)
- Discourses to Mixed Congregations (no. 16, Mental Sufferings of Our Lord in His Passion”)
- Sermons Preached on Various Occasions (no. 6, “Omnipotence in Bonds”)
Goal: Understand the biblical wellspring of Newman’s preaching and the role of this activity in his priestly ministry.
Session 3
August 18, 2026
Development of Doctrine
Topics:
- Newman’s theory of doctrinal development
- Criteria for authentic development
Assigned Readings:
- Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine (Introduction and key chapters)
- “Does Doctrine Develop: An Answer in Six Steps,” Lewis Ayres, https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/does-doctrine-develop-an-answer-in-six-steps/
Goal: Understand how Newman reconciled continuity and growth in Church teaching.
Session 4
August 25, 2026
Newman’s Ecclesiology
Topics:
- Newman’s understanding of the Church as a living organism
- The sense of the faithful in the life of the Church
- The three offices of the Church
Assigned Readings:
- On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine.
- 1877 Preface to the Via Media
Goal: Reflect on Newman’s view of the Church as a supernatural reality journeying through history, and how his vision influenced Vatican II and postconciliar ecclesiology
Session 5
September 1, 2026
Conscience and Moral Responsibility
Topics:
- Newman’s concept of conscience as the “aboriginal Vicar of Christ”
- Conscience vs. private judgment
Assigned Readings:
- Letter to the Duke of Norfolk (sections on conscience)
- “Newman‘s Concept of Conscience in His Quest for Moral Truth,” by Fr. Piotr Olszanowski, https://www.hprweb.com/2020/02/newmans-concept-of-conscience-in-his-quest-for-moral-truth/
Goal: Explore Newman’s understanding of conscience as a key component of his moral theology.
Session 6
September 8, 2026
Newman’s Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
Topics:
- Newman and Vatican II
- Newman’s canonization and modern influence
- Newman’s spirituality for today
Assigned Readings:
- The “Biglietto Speech,” https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/biglietto-speech-5245
- The Dream of Gerontius
- “Five Reasons John Henry Newman is a Saint for Our Times,” by Ryan Marr, https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/10/09/five-reasons-john-henry-newman-saint-our-times/
Goal: Appreciate Newman’s enduring significance for the Church and the world.
Ryan “Bud” Marr, PhD
Bud Marr is Dean of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. He is the author of Seeking God with St. John Henry Newman and To Be Perfect Is to Have Changed Often, and has also contributed essays to Newman and Life in the Spirit, Learning from All the Faithful, and The Oxford Handbook of John Henry Newman. Before coming to Mercy College, Dr. Marr served for three years as the Director of the National Institute for Newman Studies in Pittsburgh, during which time he was also Associate Editor of the Newman Studies Journal.