Erin Meikle is a doctoral student in Theology at Duquesne University and a Catechetical Consultant for the USCCB. She previously earned a B.S. in Mathematics from the Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh, a Ph.D. in Education—mathematics education specialization—from the University of Delaware, and a Master of Arts in Theology from Duquesne University. Erin's current research includes exploring topics in Mariology and John Henry Newman's educational theory and practice, and she teaches courses for Catholic International University.
Imagine a candlestick resting on a table in the corner of a dark room, whose flame does not fade, does not flicker, and does not burn out, but perpetually illuminates the corner and draws others towards its light. This everlasting flame is like a teaching of a Doctor of the Universal Church, seeking not to illumine the entirety of the dark room, but keeps the corner of the room illuminated. Similarly, the teachings of the Church Doctors illumine some component(s) of the mysteries of the Catholic faith without trying to plumb the entirety of the mystery of God.
Before becoming Catholic in 1845, Newman had ascribed to the Evangelical party and then later the High Church party of Anglicanism. It was through certain friendships penetrating his heart so deeply that he became attracted to the truths of the Catholic faith. When Pope Leo XIII made Newman a cardinal in 1879, Newman chose cor ad cor loquitur (Heart speaks unto heart) as his motto. His friends surely spoke to his heart, and his heart spoke to theirs.
