Aquinas Learning

ALJ Volume. III, Issue 1, Fall 2019

The latest installment of the Aquinas Learning Journal, back to school version!

John Henry Newman Coloring Pages (2 new artist rendered options!)

In researching this segment, no existing coloring resources of Newman were found … but two artists came to our aid two design to very different images to honor the upcoming canonization. You may use them to host a center or family coloring contest.

Newman coloring page.jpg

The first image to your right is designed by artist, singer, triplet mom, and American expat living in Poland Rebecca Górzyńska of DelphinaRoseArt.

The drawing is based on an 1879 photograph by H. J. Whitlock, 1879, showing John Henry Newman wearing his “galero,” or cardinal’s hat, and features the following quotation: “I sought to hear the voice of God and climbed the topmost steeple, but God declared: ‘Go down again - I dwell among the people.’”

The image can be bought and downloaded on her website or Etsy (coupon code for AL families is AQUINAS25, 25% off order of $15+, valid through Oct. 23): https://www.etsy.com/listing/711809700/bl-john-henry-newman-catholic-coloring?fbclid=IwAR3_x7-U8qLB8X-vSNabJETTgHjWMF0BnpAGnBYCcClwUfFwqAQDLkt09L8

The second design is by Andrea Helen Smith of Stella Marigold Art, a self-taught writer, artist, and embroiderer.

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Details in this coloring page represent different aspects of Newman’s life, such as the many books he wrote, especially the history of his religious conversion to Catholicism, Apologia Pro Vita Sua ("A Defense of One's Life"), The Idea of a University, and his essays, "On the Development of Christian Doctrine" and "In Aid of a Grammar of Assent"; as well as his sermons and poetry, and the many letters he wrote (21,000 letters survive).

His love of music is represented by the miniature violin and sheet music. The statue of St. Philip Neri and the heart with three stars and lilies represents the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, of which Newman was a member.

Placed opposite this symbol is a part of John Henry Newman's Coat of Arms: his motto upon becoming a cardinal was "Cor Ad Cor Loquitor" ("Heart Speaks to Heart").

Finally, the violets held by the child represent John Henry Newman's birth month (February); also, in Victorian England the violet represented humility, modesty, and friendship. Newman had many friends among men, women, priests, religious, and considered friendship very important to conversion and holiness of life.

The image can be bought and downloaded here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/714056994/saint-john-henry-newman-coloring-page?ref=shop_home_active_1&fbclid=IwAR2nWzpenEkyO9E1pnUDq_EszXadSrSIPPTM4WcNYl6fqclbP7wp8vYdoCI

Please keep Aquinas Learning “posted” with details of your finished work … send to AquinasLearningJournal@gmail.com or post to the private Aquinas Learning Families Facebook group.

Rosario Reilly