From the desk of the Tar Heel disciple:
August 5, 2025
On July 31, the Holy See announced that Pope Leo XIV intended to soon proclaim St. John Henry Newman a “Doctor of the Church.” This distinction has only been given by the Catholic Church to 37 men and women; each of whom is thus recognized as having made a significant contribution to the Church’s theology and/or doctrine combined with a life of great sanctity. Newman was born in the City of London in 1801, ordained priest of the Church of England (1825), and converted to the Catholic Church (1845). His positions at Oxford and his writings brought national and international attention to his conversion and his eventual ordination as a Catholic priest (1847). He joined the Congregation of the Oratory (Oratorians) and went on to be the rector of the Catholic University of Ireland (1854). In 1879 he was created a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Leo XIII, and he died in 1890, at the Birmingham (England) Oratory.
Newman was declared “Venerable” by Pope St. John Paul II (1991), “Blessed” by Pope Benedict XVI (2010), and “Saint” (i.e., canonized) by Pope Francis (2019). With the decision to declare him a Doctor of the Church, we will have witnessed the great attention, resect, and veneration given to Newman by four successive popes. His feast day is observed on October 9, the date of his reception into Full Communion of the Catholic Church. In the United States, his name is attached to the many “Newman Centers” situated at or near colleges and universities throughout the country. Perhaps it might be more appropriate to rename them “St. John H. Newman Centers” in order to diffuse a greater awareness of the intellectual and spiritual heritage that he has left us and that the Universal Church has recognized?
There are many books written about this great man and many volumes from his own hand that are well worth the time and investment. For example:
Many admirers have found solace and encouragement from his spiritual journey, as exemplified in this well-known meditation:
The Mission of My Life
"God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about." - St. John Henry Newman
