Pope Leo XIV will officially proclaim St. John Henry Newman the 38th Doctor of the Church during Mass on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica, recognizing the 19th-century English cardinal’s profound impact on Catholic theology and education.
The declaration, announced in July by the Holy See, elevates Newman to join an elite group of saints — including Augustine, Aquinas and Thérèse of Lisieux — whose writings and teachings are considered universally relevant to the church.
Earlier this month, St. John Henry Newman, namesake of Newman University, was also named a co-patron of Catholic education by Pope Leo XIV, along with St. Thomas Aquinas.
Kathleen S. Jagger, Ph.D., MPH, president of Newman University, is in Rome attending an education conference and will be present for Saturday’s Mass to celebrate St. Newman.
Newman University is the only college or university in the U.S. named for the saint.
Celebrating Newman’s wisdom
Newman, who died in 1890 at age 89, was a prominent Anglican priest and Oxford scholar who converted to Catholicism in 1845 after years of studying the early church fathers. He was canonized by Pope Francis in 2019.
“To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant,” Newman famously wrote, summarizing his intellectual journey to the Catholic Church.
The title Doctor of the Church recognizes saints whose theological wisdom has greatly influenced the faithful throughout church history. Newman’s contributions include his “Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine” and his teachings on the proper formation of conscience. Saturday’s proclamation coincides with the Solemnity of All Saints.
Newman founded the Birmingham Oratory in England and the Catholic University of Ireland. He became a cardinal in 1879 under Pope Leo XIII and is now the patron saint of students at secular universities.
Interested in learning more about the newest Doctor of the Church?
Visit the Heritage Room display located on the main floor of Sacred Heart Hall on the Newman University campus.
