OXFORD
2–6 August 2026
KEBLE COLLEGE in the University of Oxford
In 2027, scholars and higher education leaders will gather in Oxford to mark the 175th anniversary of The Idea of a University, one of the most influential works ever written on the purpose of higher education.
Join Rev. Canon Brian Mountford, MBE, who served as Vicar of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, the same pulpit from which Saint John Henry Newman shaped a generation. As one of Saint Newman’s successors, Canon Mountford offers not only historical knowledge, but a living connection to Oxford’s enduring tradition. His presence adds depth and meaning to each step of the journey, guiding participants through the city with insight, perspective, and a profound sense of continuity.
5 days· All meals included· Residential at Keble College· From £1,995
175 TH ANNIVERSARY
1852-2027
Limited to 25 participants
Early booking discount of £200 until 30 May 2026
Faith in an Age of Doubt
-
Oxford University Museum of Natural History — site of the famous 1860 Great Debate between science and faith, placing Saint Newman's theological arguments in the intellectual storms that defined his era
-
Ashmolean Museum — one of the world's oldest public museums
-
High Tea at the Randolph Hotel
1.
Why this Matters
A Conversation 175 Years in the Making
Universities today face unprecedented challenges:
Artificial intelligence and the future of learning
Questions surrounding academic freedom
Workforce preparation versus intellectual formation
Rising costs and public skepticism
Student wellbeing and belonging
Globalization and institutional identity
Remarkably, many of these debates echo concerns Saint Newman explored nearly two centuries ago.
This symposium provides an opportunity to revisit one of higher education's foundational texts while exploring its relevance to today's academic landscape.
2. Who Should Attend?
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This symposium is designed for:
University Presidents and Chancellors
University Board Members
Provosts and Vice Chancellors
Deans and department chairs
Faculty and researchers
Honors college directors & Students
Higher Education Administrators
Clergy and church leaders
Church parishioners and adult faith formation groups
University alumni and lifelong learners
Educators and academic leaders
Retired professionals and community leaders
Members of literary, historical, and theological societies
Individuals interested in the relationship between faith, reason, and higher education
Graduate students
Independent researchers
Leaders of faith-based institutions
No prior expertise in Newman studies is required.
The Experience
2.
DAY 1. Arrival: Saint Newman's Oxford Evening
-
Welcome dinner in Keble College dining hall — founded in honour of John Keble, Saint Newman's close ally in the Oxford Movement
-
Rev. Canon Brian Mountford MBE opens the evening, setting the intellectual and spiritual frame for the days ahead
-
Your first step into Saint Newman's Oxford — the colleges, chapels, and streets where his ideas were born
DAY 2. Saint John Henry Newman at the Height of His Influence
-
Guided walking tour of Oxford, tracing Saint Newman's world on foot
-
Bodleian Library — where the pamphlets and tracts that carried his ideas are located
-
Lunch at Oriel College — Saint Newman's intellectual home
-
University Church of St Mary the Virgin — a personal tour of the pulpit where Saint Newman preached sermons
-
Dinner at Keble College — drawing the day's threads together over good conversation
DAY 3. Faith in an Age of Doubt
.jpg)
-
Oxford University Museum of Natural History — site of the famous 1860 Great Debate between science and faith, placing Saint Newman's theological arguments in the intellectual storms that defined his era
-
Ashmolean Museum — one of the world's oldest public museums
-
High Tea at the Randolph Hotel
DAY 4. Withdrawal, Discernment, Conversion
- Oxford Oratory — private guided tour offering rare insight into Saint Newman's Catholic legacy and enduring theological influence
-
Optional Mass — a moment of reflection on Saint Newman's understanding of conscience, authority, and assent
-
Guided walking tour of Oxford's most celebrated chapels
-
Closing Banquet at Trinity College — where Saint Newman began his Oxford career as an undergraduate in 1817, bringing the full arc of his journey full circle
DAY 5. — Departure
- Final breakfast in Keble College — unhurried time for fellowship and reflection on the week's conversations
-
Informal discussion on Newman's enduring themes: conscience, authority, faith, and the life of the mind
-
Departure from Oxford
ADD ON TOUR-Birmingham Pilgrimage
-
Focuses on the later chapter of Saint John Henry Newman’s life, highlighting the expansion of his influence beyond Oxford
-
Visit to the Birmingham Oratory, founded by Newman in 1848
-
Explore the place where Newman lived, wrote, and guided a religious community for the remainder of his life
-
Time at the Shrine of Saint John Henry Newman
-
Includes lodging at a luxury hotel in Birmingham
-
Lunch provided as part of the pilgrimage experience
Voices of the Pilgrimage
3.
Rev. Canon Brian Mountford, MBE
one of the former Vicars of the University Church of St. Mary
Graduates of the University of Oxford
Organize and Coordinate the Pilgrimage
Private Guided Tour of Oxford Oratory by one of the current Vicars & Optional Mass
5. Reserve your Place in History
ADD ON
£1,095
ADD ON Birmingham Pilgrimage
1-night Single En-Suite Accommodation Luxury Hotel
Breakfast and Lunch
All Tours