1889 Portrait of John Henry Newman by Emmeline Deane (1858-1944)
Newman and the Gift of Modernity
[18th wk] “I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts” from Jer 31: 31-34; “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” from Mt 16: 13-23
In December 1844, Newman set out upon the task of resolving his difficulties, notably with the Anglican Bishops over Tract 90. He knew the history of Christian thought, what was assertive and counter-assertive, what needed incubation. He knew the heresies that exaggerated the truth, or exaggerated partial truth which is grounds for heresy. Newman was empirical without being an empiricist. He never gave into the empirical error that all knowledge is based on experience, i.e. derived from the senses. Newman was always a free radical.
In mid-life Newman reflected deeply on “primal ideas.” Without an idea, there is no development. Idea is a Lockean term. The episteme of Locke are facts that one saw in the world. Americans remember Locke as a major philosophical influence behind the drafting of the American Constitution, a document that has lasted for almost two and a half centuries.
Newman pondered how ideas become explicated over time. Truth is found in history, not historicism. If a doctrine develops, is it true? Was it ever true? He saw the trap of the empiricist and used the language of empiricism to explode it. Some doctrines evidenced themselves even from the apostolic period. “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” To Evangelicals, the Council of Nicaea may not be required. To Luther, tradition was not required. His convenient answer was sola scriptura.
To Newman, all interpretive texts of Sacred Scripture from antiquity do not have the same rules of interpretation. Newman seems to favor comparing spiritual texts as St. Paul: “words not taught by human wisdom but the Spirit that is from God” (1 Cor 2, 12,13). However, doctrine is not a free radical to Newman. No doctrine can come into being, and none have, if they are not related to Sacred Scripture. Moreover, Newman understood what was congruent in Scripture in the 4th and 5th centuries, Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus and Chalcedon with the 19th century. He did not think that doctrines were repetitious but congruous. By 1845, his personal quest for truth brought him to conclude that High Anglicanism was a “pastiche.”
Newman asked: if ideas in political and legal institutions grow, why not in religion? His question led him towards a work of historical genius on the development of doctrine. It functions at the level of abstraction. The primal fact is Christ. An idea has different elements in history. E.g. Vatican I refused to engage modernity, while Vatican II, left no one out of engagement. Each Christian has a sharable, rich idea. An idea refracts itself in a plurality. In time the idea has further refraction, is reflected and shareable. Doctrine holds the community together. If an idea at the beginning seems too big or disruptive for any group, remember that an acorn becomes an oak, he said. An implicit idea gradually becomes explicated. An idea is planted in human minds. Inquisitiveness asks: is it true? Locke could not accept the organic model that an idea as a seed grows, is processed, then is transcended. The organic model made common sense to Newman.
If the “gift of modernity” comprises cheerers, weepers, and those who are both cheerers and weepers, as Cyril O’Regan contends, how do they align with the theological embrace of modernity by Christianity? If there are philosophical cheerers, it is more than likely that many are cheerers. Is a person a cheerer because he or she is a Christian? There are many yea-sayers in modern philosophy and modern religious thought to turn to. Newman saw the Lockean-inspired move at Oxford and its considerable impact on members in the Anglican Church in the 18th and 19th centuries. Whately’s exceptional influence on Newman, his fine tuning of Locke almost cost Newman his faith. Newman was drawn towards Rome for one because the Roman Church would prevail over too many cheerers that he saw in the Anglican Church. The cheerers were quite literally the Anti-Christ for him. Their example of Christianity was not real Christianity, but a counterfeit.
What would Newman say today? How might he apply the words of Jesus to Peter: “Get behind me Satan, you are not thinking as God does, but as human beings do”? Certainly, no one gets a free pass: Bishops, priests, parents, Catholics in political life. Newman helps priests in their increasingly difficult task to preach to disillusioned Catholics and those in public life.
The early 20th century movement of Catholic modernism did not go well. As a new priest after Vatican II, I did not grasp the complexity of modernity. If Roman Catholicism has reversed her verdict on Modernism, Newman will help with critical engagement. The Greek, pharmakon, and German Giften, are both cure and poison. Our Popes Francis, Benedict XVI, John Paul II, and Paul VI were never unequivocal lovers of modernity. The focus of their dislike with modern thought might be different, but they were not unequivocal cheerers. E.g., in 1966, Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey of the Church of England were making great ecumenical progress. I rejoiced that Paul VI proposed John Duns Scotus, who was not yet beatified, as offering a plan for the reunification of the Anglican Church with the Roman. In 1973, the demand in England for ordination of women caused a rupture. Is Newman’s Anti-Christ fitting?
I refer to “Scotus and Newman in Dialogue”[1] a prescient, original, and forward looking study by my Franciscan mentor, Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner, OFM Conv. Newman is in step with yea-saying, nay-saying, and yea-and-nay-saying about modernity. Catholic thinkers engage the doubleness of the gift of modernity, cure and poison. Questions abound. Do they cheer for the same thing, weep for the same thing, and hope for the same thing? Can a bridge be built? Do they employ Vatican II against cleavage and in favor of negotiation? What intrinsic prospects for dialogue are there between Christian thought and traditions which might be attractive but illusory? Is Heidegger’s apocalyptic discourse a prospect? Newman answers: the safe handing on (traditio) allows a measure of hard-earned continuity in all of the discontinuity. In conclusion, Newman, a free radical, was a volcanic eruption. He did not identify as conservative nor liberal. Nor do I. Instead he courageously aligned with Francis of Assisi: Be Catholic!
[1] E. Ondrako, ed., The Newman-Scotus Reader (New Bedford: 2015, rpt canonization issue, 2019), ch. 7.
Fr. Edward J. Ondrako, OFM Conventual
Research Fellow Pontifical Faculty of St. Bonaventure, Rome
Visiting Scholar, McGrath Institute for Church Life
University of Notre Dame
Newman Conference, Holy Cross College, Aug 4, 2022
Our Franciscan Friars Conventual Novitiate for the Provinces of North America is located in Arroyo Grande, CA, at the St. Francis of Assisi Friary, of the St. Joseph of Cupertino Province. Three of the new novices are from the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, two are from St. Bonaventure Province, and two are from our province (Our Lady of the Angels Province). This new class of novices arrived in July 2022 and began their “year and a day” with a retreat led by their Assistant Novice Director, Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province). Since 2017, the Director of the Novitiate ~ Br. Joe Wood, OFM Conv. (St. Bonaventure Province) has led the formation of the novices, and this year Friar Marek has been assigned to join him. Next month, another one of our province friars will arrive in Arroyo Grande to serve as the “wisdom friar” for the novices. Friar Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, OFM Conv. we be a friar in residence, sharing almost 50 years of experience as a Solemnly Professed friar. On August 2, 2022, the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels (our province’s patronal feast day), Friar Marek will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of his Solemn Vow Profession. He kindly shared these photos of the 1st month with the Novices.
NOTE: The Novitiate’s website and Facebook page are in the midst of updates.
Check back later for more information on this stage of formation for our friars
and to follow along with the progress of the Novitiate Class of 2022-2023.
For more information on life as a Franciscan Friar Conventual visit: FranciscanVoice.org.
Contact the Vocation Directors of our Province at vocations@olaprovince.org.
Friar Marek leads the Novices in Adoration
Blessing of the new garden
Working together to plant the new gardens
Novitiate’s Chapel
Br. Joseph Wood, OFM Conv. (Novice Director – left front) and Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. (Assistant Novice Director – right front). Our Province’s two Novices – friar Connor Ouly, OFM Conv. (next to Br. Joe) and friar Marvin Paul Fernandez, OFM Conv. (next to Fr. Marek)
On this Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, as we begin our third* Province Quadrennium,
we reflect on these words from our Minister Provincial, Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv.: “May the simplicity of life
that our friars lived at the Portiuncula
inspire all of us to focus on what truly is important,
her Son, Jesus.”
Our province logo incorporates the Portiuncula graphic. This small chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, nicknamed Portiuncula – “Little Portion” by our Seraphic Father St. Francis of Assisi, is located within the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli – The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, in Assisi, Italy, and is considered the cradle of the Order. Franciscans around the world celebrate August 2nd as the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, but as friars of a province named in her honor, we hold the day in special regard, as it is also our Patronal Feast Day. There will be many opportunities to join our friars for celebrations (live and virtual) throughout the province. We encourage all to find a ministry location nearest to you, and to join with our friars in celebrating Our Lady of the Angels. Visit our ministry locations page for links to our various ministries’ websites.
*NOTE: In 2014, friars of the Immaculate Conception Province (est. 1872) and the St. Anthony of Padua Province (est. 1906) joined together in union to become, our friars of the Franciscan Friars Conventual – Our Lady of the Angels Province. (Read more about our history in the USA) This is why it is only our province’s “third” Quadrennium (four year period). Our province includes over 220 friars, under the leadership of Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. [Minister Provincial], Fr. Gary Johnson, OFM Conv. [Vicar Provincial], and Br. Nicholas Romeo, OFM Conv. [Province Secretary]. Most of the friars of our province serve in ministries along the United States’ East Coast. We also have a handful of friars serving in Italy (Assisi, Rome, Vatican City), Japan & Australia. In addition, our province includes friars of our Provincial Delegation – St. Francis of Assisi in Canada, and friars of our two Provincial Custodies – Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil & Blessed Agnellus of Pisa in Great Britain-Ireland.
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More on the Portiuncula,
and the Il Perdono (the Portiuncula Indulgence):
Six years ago (2016) marked the 800th Anniversary of the August 2nd Portiuncula Indulgence.
The small chapel (at left) of St. Mary of the Angels (Our Lady of the Angels) was very dear to St. Francis of Assisi. He referred to it as the Portiuncula (aka “Little Portion”). Originally settling into the sacred hut of Rivo Torto for about two years with his companions, serving the lepers in the valley below Assisi, an area known as “Arce,” St. Francis obtained from the Benedictines the use of the Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, for which he paid a basket of fish. The chapel and the surrounding small parcel of land were in disrepair. He relocated there, and just as he had done at San Damiano, St. Francis rebuilt the chapel, adding small huts (cells) and enclosing it all in a protective hedge. It was there that St. Francis gained a more vivid understanding of his own vocation. It was there that he held the annual meetings of the growing Order of friars (Chapters), and it is there, where he desired to spend his final earthly moments; dying in his nearby cell in 1226.
St. Francis felt that the Portiuncula was a place filled with God’s grace. In 1216, at the request of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Honorius granted special privilege (plenary indulgence – a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins) to all those who would visit the little chapel.
Although limited to include from noon on August 1st to midnight on August 2nd, the privilege continues to be granted to this day; not only to those who visit the Portiuncula, but to anyone who visits any church where Franciscan Friars live and minister.
Conditions to receive this privilege for yourself or for someone else – living or deceased:
Sacramental confession to be in God’s grace (during the eight days before or after)
Participation in the Holy Mass and Eucharistic Communion
Visit to the Portiuncula or another Franciscan Church, followed by Profession of Faith, in order to reaffirm one’s own Christian identity
Say the Our Father, in order to reaffirm the dignity as a child of God that one received in Baptism
Pray for the Pope’s intentions, in order to reaffirm one’s membership in the Church, of which the Roman Pontiff is the foundation and sign of visible unity
Inside the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli
The beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (below) that now surrounds the Portiuncula chapel was begun in 1569 (completed in 1684) by decree of Pius V. It was meant to accommodate the huge crowds of pilgrims who came on August 2nd for Il Perdono (Portiuncula Indulgence). This is an important feast day for all Franciscans and is celebrated in Franciscan churches throughout the world.
On July 13, 2022, a new year began for the community at the St. Francis of Assisi Novitiate in Arroyo Grande, California, USA. This inter-Provincial novitiate is under the jurisdiction of the Conventual Franciscan Federation (CFF).
July 27, 2022 Black Catholic Messenger – article by Nate Tinner-Williams – eaturing the cause of +Fr. Martin de Porres Maria Ward, OFM Conv. for sainthood.
Our Lady of the Angels Province student friar Antonio Moualeu, OFM Conv. will be joining our friars of the St. Frances of Assisi Friary (Hamburg, NY) for his Apostolic Year of Formation. We have nine friars living in that friary, seven of whom serve at our St. Francis High School (SFHS), where friar Antonio is assigned as the new Campus Minister for the 2022-2023 school year. On June 25, 2022, the former Campus Minister, Fr. Matt Foley, OFM Conv., was appointed President of the school. This past May, friar Antonio Moualeu, OFM Conv. received a Doctoral Degree in Mechanical Engineering, from Georgia Institute of Technology. (Read More)
On July 20, 2022, in the beautiful SFHS Chapel, at the hands of Fr. Maximilian Avila, OFM Conv. (seated at left), friar Antonio renewed his Simple Vows; recommitting his desire to live the Gospel as a Franciscan Friar Conventual. Friar Max has been assigned as the new Friary Guardian, and has served as an Instructor at SFHS since 2018. Alongside two of his confreres, friar Antonio first professed his Simple Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, on July 22, 2019. These Simple Vows are also referred to as Temporary Vows, since they are for only three years. It usually takes a bit longer for the final preparation for Solemn (also known as Perpetual) Vows, so it is most often necessary for a friar to renew his Simple Vows, at least once during his formation journey. Such a Vow Renewal has not taken place in the school’s chapel for a long time, and it was a very joyous occasion. When asked about this next step, friar Antonio said, “I’m very excited to serve the SFHS community as the next Campus Minster. I look forward to a great school year ahead!”
Learn more about life as a Franciscan Friar Conventual: Franciscan Voice
For more information on Our Lady of the Angels Province Vocations, email vocations@olaprovince.org.
The Volunteer Maryland AmeriCorps Member will support the Farm Manager in recruiting and overseeing volunteers for a wide range of work on our diversified vegetable and fruit farm. This role entails a majority of the time spent outdoors assisting and guiding volunteers in tasks such as planting, harvesting, weeding, and much more, all of which support of our overarching ecological and food justice goals. This position also includes some office tasks including assisting with volunteer communication and recruitment.
July 16-17, 2022: I participated in the Bicycle Pilgrimage from New Jersey to American Czestochowa, which is located about 20 mils from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Doylestown, PA). I was there for the first time, and I also had a sentimental reason, because my grandmother’s cousin, the president of the American Episcopate and Cardinal of Philadelphia – the late +Most Rev. John Cardinal Krol contributed significantly to the construction of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Czestochowa in this place.
For the eighth time, Pawel Siek organized a bicycle pilgrimage. It ran under God’s care, that is, there were no accidents and other bad adventures, with the small exception of when it rained abundantly at night and several tents were flooded and several participants “floated on mattresses.” However, this experience had a penitential dimension and did not change the joyful atmosphere.
Friar Bogus (in helmet), with his group of participants.
Our pilgrimage was attended by 20 men from the group of St. Joseph. The oldest participant in our group was 62 years old, and the youngest 18 years old. We traveled about 180 kilometers in two days. After each stage, which was an average of 20 mils, we prayed the rosary, and at 3 pm the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. At the end of the prayers, I spoke about mini-spiritual conferences, supplementing them with short examples from my missionary experiences in Uganda. Finally, several participants asked for the sacrament of Penance.
Before Our Lady Shrine, we joined a bicycle pilgrimage that came from Boston (over 350 mils) and together we entered American Czestochowa on Sunday at 11.30 am. We were welcomed by the superior of the Pauline Monastery, Father Marcin Ćwierz, OSPPE. He said, among other things, that he is glad that the pilgrimage movement to Czestochowa is returning after the pandemic. We participated in the Eucharist at midday, which was also attended by motorcyclists from Chicago. The sermon was about Saint Christopher the patron saint of travelers. After the Holy Mass, all vehicles were blessed. The atmosphere on the pilgrimage was joyful and there was kindness and understanding among the participants of the spiritual purpose of the pilgrimage.
Br. Vincent Vivian, OFM Conv. made his Solemn Profession, in our St. Hyacinth Friary Chapel (Chicopee, Massachusetts), on July 16, 2022. Our Minister Provincial, Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv., delegated Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (the former Minister Provincial) to receive Br. Vincent’s vows and preside at the Mass. Fr. Mitchell Sawicki, OFM Conv. and Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. served as the canonical witnesses. Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. served as master of ceremonies for the Mass, which was attended by the many friars living and serving in the area, followed by a festive dinner. Keep Br. Vincent and all of our friars in joyful prayer.
Note: Friar Vincent 1st Professed Solemn Vows in 1970 and served in many capacities during his time as a friar of our province, including serving as a Missionary Friar. After a short period of time away, and having been approved for re-admission to the Order by the Minister General and his General Definitory, Br. Vincent was re-invested in the habit of our Order as a member of Our Lady of the Angels Province, on September 3, 2018, by then Minister Provincial, Friar James, during Mass in the Provincialate chapel. At that time, he began the canonically required period of probation, professing his Simple Vows in July 2019.
On this Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, as we begin our third* Province Quadrennium,
Written by ~ Fr. Bogusław Dąbrowski, OFM Conv.
Before Our Lady Shrine, we joined a bicycle pilgrimage that came from Boston (over 350 mils) and together we entered American Czestochowa on Sunday at 11.30 am. We were welcomed by the superior of the Pauline Monastery, Father Marcin Ćwierz, OSPPE. He said, among other things, that he is glad that the pilgrimage movement to Czestochowa is returning after the pandemic. 
