HEART SPEAKS TO HEART

PETER DIETZEN

The Blessed John Henry Newman wrote in the mid nineteenth century: “To live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often” (Newman, John Henry, Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, p. 41). It is hard to know exactly what Newman would think about our modern world and the countless changes that have transpired in the last one hundred and fifty years and particularly of the rapidly accelerating changes we are experiencing at present. It is safe to believe that whether he embraced this modern, evolving world or not, he would have plenty to say about his thoughts.

During Newman’s time, he was known for his “biting satire” (Scharfen) and commentary on political and religious events. A modern Newman probably would not satirize recent news to the level of Steven Colbert, but I can see JHN having weekly YouTube videos broadcasting his philosophical views seasoned with a hint of sharp parody of modern events. I would guess that he would be pleased to know that his autobiography Apologia Pro Vita Sua, A Defense of One's Life is selling well on Amazon.com even after all these years. He would definitely have a personal Facebook page with many impersonators trying to steal his identity and a Twitter account of @JHNewmanNews. Savvy in the ways of communication, he would insist that the instantly recognizable logo stamping all of the JHN franchise would be the golden heart-shaped coat of arms with his now famous slogan, the words of St. Francis de Sales: “Cor ad cor loquitor: Heart speaks to heart.” On our local level, I believe that while John Henry Newman would be the first to welcome the many changes on the Cardinal Newman campus in its quest for perfection, he would instruct its students to listen with their hearts as they integrate young women into their community and in so doing, they will know how to proceed.

If we were to continue this imagined present day scenario, a recent guest on Newman’s YouTube channel could be Mr. Graham Rutherford, Principal of Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, California who would announce that with the impending closure of the neighboring Ursuline High, CN would begin admitting young women as students for the first time. Deferring to the Blessed JHN for sage advice at this critical apex in the school’s history, Mr. Rutherford would beg if he could offer some advice to the young men who would be sharing their school with the girls. The current male students had themselves offered a plethora of reactions to the announcement, and Mr. Rutherford was hoping Newman could calm any fears or questions about the decision and offer some insight to them for a smooth transition. Newman, ever the philosopher and educator would take a moment and ponder his words. Sinking down into his large, cardinal red armchair at the center of his dimly-lit Masterpiece Theater-esque study where the show is shot, he would stop, take a breath and point a bony finger to the heraldic coat of arms hanging upon the wall. “Observe young man my Personal Crest. Its meaning may not make sense to you now, but I will explain for as I am quoted on the Cardinal Newman High School seal, ‘Out of the shadows and symbols into the truth.’ Studying the crest, you will observe the large golden heart which holds three smaller hearts: two at the top and one on the bottom, divided by a jagged line. Read the words at the base of the crest: ‘Cor ad cor loquitor – heart speaks to heart.’ What I would suggest to your young men, the students of Cardinal Newman High School as they welcome the women who have taken the leap to join their ranks as fellow Newman students is: Gentlemen, I want your hearts to listen.

“Look again at the crest. For the sake of this discussion, let us image that the heart at the top left represents me, the spiritual leader of Cardinal Newman High school for the last 47 years. I have watched you all closely through the years and have guided you, your teachers, your administrators through many challenging, difficult times and also through many more joyous, proud ones academically, athletically, and spiritually. Your hearts have listened. You and your institution have thrived. I want you to go back and remember some of the things I have said about the value of your education:

It shows (a man) how to accommodate himself to others, how to throw himself into their state of mind, how to bring him before them his own, how to influence them, how to come to an understanding with them, how to bear with them. He is at home in any society, he has common ground with every class; he is a pleasant companion, and a comrade you can depend on; he knows when to be serious and when to trifle, and he has a sure tact which enables him to trifle with gracefulness and to be serious with effect. (The Idea of a University, p. 177-178)

“I believe you gentlemen of Cardinal Newman High School, who I now address, are well on your way to becoming educated. You have learned your lessons well and practice them regularly. But what now is to become of this well-oiled machine of a school as we mix up the formula, one that has worked so well? The changes that are upon us will challenge you students as well as your teachers and administrators, but you have been given the tools to cope with change. I trust you will do so gracefully, thoughtfully and successfully. As you accept the new female presence at CN, all you need do is throw yourselves into ‘their state of mind’ and listen with your hearts. Any differences or difficulties will disappear once you realize that you, gentlemen and these pioneer young ladies wishing to be part of this school share the common goal to be ‘educated.’ Respect one another in this common goal!

“Mr. Rutherford and gentlemen, let me suggest that you consider the second heart on the crest to symbolize St. Angela Merici, the founder of the Ursuline Order who has new things to say to you, new things for your hearts to hear. The Ursuline Order, the first teaching order of women established in the Church, was founded in 1535 by St. Angela who believed that every single woman deserved an education. She most certainly would be saddened by the closure of Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa but in her words: ‘If according to times and needs, you should be obliged to make fresh rules and change current things, do it with prudence and good advice’ (St. Angela Merici).

I believe St. Angela would be in agreement with my definition of education and would encourage the students of the former Ursuline High to join ranks with the men of Cardinal Newman in the common pursuit of it. After all she said: ‘Do something, get moving, be confident, risk new things, stick with it, then be ready for big surprises!’ (St. Angela Merici).

“If St. Angela were to speak to your young men about how to incorporate her ‘daughters’ into your school, she would say:

My … word to you is that you live in harmony, united together, all of one heart and one will… See how important is union and concord. So long for it, pursue it, embrace it, hold on to it with all your strength; For I tell you: living all together, united in heart, you will be like a mighty fortress, a tower of strength. (St. Angela Merici, Last Counsel, p. 1, p. 10-15)

“We must now all move forward to welcome the women who wish to join us at Cardinal Newman High School. Return to the coat of arms before you and let the jagged line of the crest represent this period of transition. There will be highs and lows, ebbs and flows but ‘isn’t it pleasant to live in a day when the tide is coming in!’ (The Living Thoughts of Cardinal Newman p. 37). In time, the changes will be seamless but it is up to each of you to make this happen. You are, after all, Christian Gentlemen. Each one of you are ‘a part in this work…a link in a chain…a bond of connection between persons’ (W. Neville, Meditations and Devotions of the Late Cardinal Newman, p. 301).

“With the confidence your fine education has instilled in you, with the poise you have acquired in your years at Newman and with the certainty that these brave, young women will augment and enrich your community, I urge you to make the transition smoothly and gracefully. In time, Cardinal Newman High School will be new and fresh, holding true to our original mission yet enhanced with all we have added to it. The third heart at the base of the crest may now represent the school you will build in the days to come. “

‘We do not know what is coming’ (Sermon Notes of John Henry Cardinal Newman 1849-1878, p. 222) but in the words of Pope John Paul II: ‘Duc in altum! Let’s go forward in hope!’ (Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte). As I have said before, ‘To be perfect is to have changed often’ (Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, 41), and as we strive as a community to be more perfect, do not forget to look often at the crest. The three hearts: mine, that of St. Angela, and that of the more perfect Cardinal Newman High School have been held together all along by one large golden heart. Think of this as the heart of Jesus. He is protecting us, guiding us, holding us. In the days and months to come, remember His heart will have many things to say to us, many things that only need to be heard: ‘Cor ad Cor Loquitur!’”