Call for Papers

Regis College, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

We are Pleased to Announce a Symposium on the Third Anniversary of the Canonization of Saint John Henry Newman and 77^th Anniversary of the first Newman Symposium at Regis College. Friday, October 21, 2022.

Conference Theme: How to be a 21st-century saint.
In October 2019, the Church canonized five new saints, including Cardinal Newman. An analysis of Newman’s work and persona offers important insights into the practices and patterns of behavior that define the contemporary Catholic Church, since, in the words of Peter Burke, saints “reflect the values of the culture which sees them in a heroic light.”

The Symposium is currently planned as a hybrid event, with the possibility of both in-person and virtual participation.

Keynote Speaker: Richard Lennan “On Consulting: Newman and Pope Francis in a Synodal Church”

Richard Lennan is a priest of the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (Australia) and Professor of Systematic Theology and chair of the Ecclesiastical Faculty in the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. He holds a Master of Philosophy from the University of Oxford and a doctorate in theology from the University of Innsbruck (Austria). His research and teaching focus on ecclesiology, ministry, and the theology of Karl Rahner. His most recent books are Tilling the Church: Theology for an Unfinished Project (Liturgical, 2022) and, as co-editor, Priestly Ministry and the People of God: Hope and Horizons (Orbis, 2022).

Call for Proposals: We invite proposals for presentations from any field in the Humanities directly or indirectly related to the work and life of Saint John Henry Newman, including academic and independent scholars (papers), graduate students (papers or posters), and undergraduate students (poster session).  We especially encourage undergraduate students to consider participating in this symposium.  Undergraduate presenters will be eligible to receive the Regis College Saint John Henry Newman Symposium Award of $500.  Areas of interest include: 

1. Newman’s preaching – the content, character, and influence of his sermons

2. Newman as historian, theologian, and Cardinal

3. Canonization – the path to sainthood 

4. Miracles – the relationship between faith and reason, science and religion 

5. Cultural values – as determined by the Church in various eras and identified in prospects for canonization

6. Devotion to the saints – how individuals are celebrated in particular communities 

7. Other themes in Newman’s published works or life

Paper presentations are 20 – 25 minutes. Proposals: Please include your name, institution, presentation title, and a 150 – 250 word abstract. Email proposals to joseph.draper@regiscollege.edu in MS Word or PDF format.

Dates: Paper proposal review begins July 15. Notification by August 15.  Undergraduate poster proposals due by October 3.

Presenters must register for membership in the Newman Symposium; registration information will be made available in August. Presentations will be considered for publication in the 2022 Symposium proceedings.