Mary: The Second Eve

by John Henry Newman, Eileen Breen (Editor)

Proves that today's Marian doctrine is firmly rooted in the early Church\'s teachings and refutes the Protestant claim that Catholics invented devotion to Mary. Fresh, beautiful insights--typical of Cardinal Newman. 48 pgs, PB

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman was an important figure in the religious history of England in the 19th century. He was known nationally by the mid-1830s.
Originally an evangelical Oxford University academic and priest in the Church of England, Newman then became drawn to the high-church tradition of Anglicanism. He became known as a leader of, and an able polemicist for, the Oxford Movement, an influential and controversial grouping of Anglicans who wished to return to the Church of England many Catholic beliefs and liturgical rituals from before the English Reformation. In this the movement had some success. However, in 1845 Newman, joined by some but not all of his followers, left the Church of England and his teaching post at Oxford University and was received into the Catholic Church. He was quickly ordained as a priest and continued as an influential religious leader, based in Birmingham. In 1879, he was created a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in recognition of his services to the cause of the Catholic Church in England. He was instrumental in the founding of the Catholic University of Ireland, which evolved into University College Dublin, today the largest university in Ireland.

Newman was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 September 2010 during his visit to the United Kingdom. He was then canonised by Pope Francis on 13 October 2019.

Newman was also a literary figure of note: his major writings including the Tracts for the Times (1833–1841), his autobiography Apologia Pro Vita Sua (1865–66), the Grammar of Assent (1870), and the poem The Dream of Gerontius (1865),[6] which was set to music in 1900 by Edward Elgar. He wrote the popular hymns "Lead, Kindly Light" and "Praise to the Holiest in the Height" (taken from Gerontius).

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book(let) consists almost entirely of excerpts of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman's work explaining the biblical, scriptural, and traditional history of Marian doctrine. It was not light reading. In fact, it took 3 days of concerted effort to read this 38-page booklet. I haven't struggled with a text this much since my first year of law school! I had to read every paragraph at least twice because my 21st century mind is quite feeble when compared to a noted theologian and Church scholar, to say nothing of the early Church fathers and scholars quoted therein (e.g., St. Justin Martyr, A.D. 120-165; St. Irenaeus, A.D. 120-200; Tertullian of Carthage, A.D. 160-240). I am better for it but, like everything else I have read lately, I will gain only more upon reading it again and again.

[Nathan Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent sort of hyper-condensed Mariology that uses St. Cardinal Newman’s reflections on traditional Marian teachings in a way that is both beautiful, approachable, and enlightening. Due to his Anglican background, the book makes a great tract to defend traditional Catholic teachings on Mary for Protestants; but is also so lovely and well rounded that it’s also great for one already committed to Our Lady that wants a brief devotional, to inspire devotion and to learn about Our Lord’s blessed Mother.

[Semiticus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newman employs an interesting technique of excerpting one paragraph from ten Church fathers; ranging from Saint Irenæus in Gaul to Saint Augustine in Africa; to illuminate the development of Catholic theological views of Mary. He concludes that Mary is the parallel to Eve. While Eve represented sin and error, Mary embodies holiness and virtue - the most flawless human being to have graced the planet.

[Caden Cramsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some helpful insights particularly on establishment that Mary is the new Eve and the ImmaculateConception. The other section of good as far as they go but not any notable insights. It’s a collection from various places in his works so it can be a bit disjointed.

[Okonkwo Michael]

The true vision on how Mary became the second Eve was made meaningful by Newman in this book. It became a thing of Joy for me seeing how Newman was able to use Catholic terms in buttress his points. Read it yourself and be filled with knowledge

[Alexandria Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished on All Souls Day, 2025. Beautiful. Accessible. Educational. Simple. A balm to the soul to read and meditate on.

[Angela Emmans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standing to Reason

Newman clearly and concisely describes the logical progression of the thought of the Church from the earliest fathers' recognition of Mary as the second Eve. Protestants should stop protesting long enough to listen. It is not difficult.