Book Review: Mary: The Virgin Mary in the Life and Writings of John Henry Newman

Mary: The Virgin Mary in the Life and Writings of John Henry Newman edited with an introduction and notes by Philip Boyce

John Henry Newman was an Anglican priest who was part of the Oxford Movement, a group of High Church ministers who wanted to reinstate more ancient Christian traditions within the Church of England. Newman studied the Church Fathers (theological writers from the first five centuries A.D.), which was a factor in his conversion to Catholicism in 1845. He had a devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, even before his conversion. The mid-1800s saw the declaration of the Immaculate Conception as dogma of the Catholic Church, so there was plenty of debate inside and outside of the Roman Catholic Church about whether Mary was born without sin, among other issues around Mary. Protestants thought Catholics give too much credit and honor to Mary. Newman entered into such debates in his writings.

This book has two parts. The first part is an extended introduction where Philip Boyce gives a brief biography of Newman and a more in-depth survey of Newman's thoughts on the Blessed Virgin Mary. Boyce discusses the growth from Newman's Anglican period through his Catholic times. Newman does not change his mind or repudiate what he said earlier. He develops deeper devotion to God and thereby to Mary as the Mother of God. He discusses her as the New Eve (a topic popular with the Church Fathers), her motherhood to Jesus, her Immaculate Conception and her Assumption, and her role interceding with Jesus on our behalf.

The second part of the book contains various excerpts from Newman's writings organized according to categories. First are formal sermons Newman gave throughout his life, many from Marian feasts like the Annunciation on March 25. The second category is theological reflections, taken from sermons, books, and letters. The final category is poems and meditations. The final bit is a set of thirty-one reflections for the month of May. 

Newman is a fine author. His texts are very clear and very literary. He persuades with an ease and certainty born of his scholarship and his spiritual life. The book works both as an introduction to Newman and a collection of spiritual insights on the Blessed Virgin Mary. I found a lot to treasure here.

Highly recommended.

Sample text, on the relationship of the Assumption to the Immaculate Conception:

All the works of God are in beautiful harmony; they are carried on to the end as they begin. Tis the the difficulty which men of the world find in believing miracles at all; they think these break the order and consistency of God's visible word, not knowing that they do but subserve a higher order of things, and introduce a supernatural perfection. But at least, my brethren, when one miracle is wrought, it may be expected to draw others after it for the completion of what is begun. [pp. 160-161]