How timely that Father Juan Velez has finished his study just as we hear of Newman’s impending beatification.

Newman provides a model for so many different kinds of Catholics — teachers, preachers, readers, writers, and apologists.

He wasn’t a “specialist,” as most scholars are today. He did what the Fathers did. He immersed himself in prayerful study of the Scriptures and the Fathers. And then he did what love required.

He was sui generis. Yet we need many more like him.