On Common Ground : The Spiritual Lives of St. Teresa of Jesus and
St. John Newman, Doctors of the Church

History has a way of creating unlikely partnerships.  And this instance is perhaps no different.  There are not many who would pair together two persons, who are each, individually, a giant on their own.  Yet, in taking a closer look, we can see how “similar” our two present heroes really are, even in their differences.  Let us start from the beginning.

 Both St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John Newman are best known through their personal writings, especially, through their autobiographical works.[1]  And surprisingly enough, both saints felt somehow compelled to write “their spiritual journey” as a defense in the face of misunderstanding and even “criticisms” received.  Teresa, wrote the Book of Her Life at the bequest of her spiritual director and others who wanted to have a clearer understanding of “her way of prayer.”   There were those who were skeptical about her experiences and some even felt it was all the work of the devil.  John Newman, in a similar vein, also wrote his revelations of the development of his religious belief specifically as an apologetic work, in direct response to a calumnious claim of an Anglican minister against him, giving it the title of Apologia Pro Vita Sua.  Neither John Henry nor Teresa had any idea of the spiritual impact and import that these writings (almost written in their blood) would have on the hearts and minds of the faithful for years to come!

[1] Perhaps the three autobiographies in history that have had the greatest impact on the lives of so many are those of St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John Newman.