Saint John Henry Newman
Stored in Cargo: Saint John Henry Newman
| Saint John Henry Newman | |
| Feast Day | October 09 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Theologians, scholars, Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Death Place | Birmingham, England |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (pneumonia) |
| Primary Shrine | Birmingham Oratory, Birmingham, England |
Saint John Henry Newman was a 19th-century Roman Catholic saint, theologian, and convert from Anglicanism, renowned for his contributions to theology, education, and the Oxford Movement. Born on February 21, 1801, in London, England, he began his career as an Anglican priest and scholar at Oxford, where he became a leading figure in the Diocese of Oxford. His conversion to Catholicism in 1845, influenced by his studies of the early Church Fathers, marked a pivotal moment, leading him to establish the Birmingham Oratory and contribute to the revival of Roman Rite Catholicism in England. Canonized by Pope Francis in 2019, Newman is celebrated for his intellectual rigor and spiritual depth.
Newman’s writings, including *Apologia Pro Vita Sua* and *The Idea of a University*, shaped modern Catholic thought and education, influencing parishes and seminaries worldwide. His work in the Archdiocese of Birmingham and his role as a Cardinal elevated his legacy as a bridge between Anglican and Catholic traditions. His feast day, October 9, is observed in the Roman Rite, and he is a patron of theologians, scholars, and the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. His primary shrine is at the Birmingham Oratory in Birmingham, England.
Biography
Birth
Saint John Henry Newman was born on February 21, 1801, in London, England, to a middle-class Anglican family.[1] His father, John Newman, was a banker, and his mother, Jemima, instilled a strong religious foundation. Raised in the Diocese of London, Newman’s early environment in the bustling City shaped his intellectual curiosity and spiritual sensitivity.
The family’s home in Bloomsbury provided a stable setting, though financial struggles later emerged. Newman’s early exposure to the Church of England and its parishes fostered a deep faith, which he later explored through evangelical and high church influences.[2]
Early Life
Newman’s early life was marked by academic brilliance and spiritual growth. He entered Trinity College, Oxford, at age 16, excelling in classics and theology.[3] Ordained an Anglican priest in 1825, he served as vicar of St. Mary’s, the university church, in the Diocese of Oxford. His leadership in the Oxford Movement, advocating for a return to Catholic traditions within Anglicanism, gained him prominence.
His studies of the Church Fathers and early Christian doctrine led to increasing doubts about Anglicanism’s claims. By 1843, he resigned from St. Mary’s and retreated to Littlemore, where he lived a semi-monastic life, preparing for his conversion to Catholicism in 1845, received by the Archdiocese of Westminster.[4]
Occupation
Before and after his conversion, Newman was a theologian, scholar, and priest. As an Anglican, he lectured at Oxford, shaping theological discourse through sermons and tracts for the Oxford Movement.[1] After becoming Catholic, he founded the Birmingham Oratory in 1848, a community of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, and served as its superior.
He also established the Catholic University of Ireland (now University College Dublin) in 1854, articulating his vision for education in *The Idea of a University*. His writings and preaching in the Archdiocese of Birmingham made him a leading Catholic intellectual, influencing seminaries and Catholic education globally.[3]
Vocation
Newman’s vocation evolved from Anglican priest to Catholic Cardinal, centered on his commitment to theological truth and pastoral care. After his 1845 conversion, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1847 and embraced the Oratorian life, founding the Birmingham Oratory.[2] His work focused on defending Catholic doctrine, notably through *Apologia Pro Vita Sua* (1864), which explained his conversion.
His role as a Cardinal, conferred by Pope Leo XIII in 1879, and his contributions to the Roman Rite revival in England solidified his influence. Newman’s intellectual and spiritual leadership inspired the establishment of parishes and strengthened Catholic identity in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.[4]
Death
Saint John Henry Newman met his end on August 11, 1890, in Birmingham, England, dying of pneumonia at age 89.[1] He passed away at the Birmingham Oratory, surrounded by his Oratorian brothers, after a life of prolific writing and service. His death was mourned across England and beyond, with tributes from both Catholic and Anglican communities.
His relics, though limited due to his body’s decomposition, are venerated at the Birmingham Oratory, a major pilgrimage site in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. His funeral drew thousands, reflecting his impact on the Roman Rite and his role as a bridge between denominations.[5]
Significant events
- Ordained an Anglican priest in 1825, becoming vicar of St. Mary’s, Oxford.
- Led the Oxford Movement, publishing *Tracts for the Times* (1833–1841).
- Converted to Catholicism and was received into the Church in 1845.
- Founded the Birmingham Oratory in 1848.
- Created a Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879.
- Canonized by Pope Francis in 2019.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: London, England
Death location: Birmingham, England
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Newman as a Servant of God began in 1958, initiated by the Archdiocese of Birmingham. The investigation, led by the diocese, examined his life, writings, and virtues, collecting testimonies from scholars and devotees.[2]
Venerable
Newman was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on January 22, 1991, after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints affirmed his heroic virtue, based on his theological contributions and holy life.[1]
Beatification
Newman was beatified on September 19, 2010, by Pope Benedict XVI in Birmingham, England, following the confirmation of a miracle: the healing of Jack Sullivan, a deacon from Massachusetts, from a severe spinal condition in 2001.[5] This miracle allowed his veneration in the Archdiocese of Birmingham and among the Oratorians.
Canonization
He was canonized on October 13, 2019, by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, after a second miracle: the healing of a pregnant woman in the United States from a life-threatening condition in 2013.[3] His canonization extended his veneration to the universal Roman Catholic Church, with a feast day on October 9.
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
The miracle for Newman’s beatification involved Jack Sullivan, a deacon from Massachusetts, who suffered from a debilitating spinal condition in 2001. Facing paralysis, Sullivan prayed for Newman’s intercession, and his condition inexplicably resolved, allowing him to walk without pain. The healing was investigated by the Archdiocese of Boston and authenticated by the Vatican in 2009 as instantaneous, complete, and lasting.[1]
Medical experts could not explain Sullivan’s recovery, which occurred after intense prayer and without surgical intervention. The miracle, widely publicized, underscored Newman’s intercessory power and advanced his beatification, resonating with devotees in the Roman Rite.[2]
Miracle for canonization
The second miracle involved a pregnant woman in the United States who faced a life-threatening condition in 2013, endangering her life and her unborn child. After praying to Newman, she experienced a sudden recovery, delivering a healthy baby. The Vatican verified this miracle in 2018, confirming its inexplicable nature through medical and theological scrutiny.[3]
This healing, investigated by the Archdiocese of Chicago, highlighted Newman’s universal appeal and intercessory role. The miracle’s approval solidified his path to canonization, affirming his influence in the Roman Catholic Church.[5]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint John Henry Newman is the patron saint of theologians, scholars, and the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.[1]
Feast day
His feast day is celebrated on October 9 in the Roman Rite, commemorating his conversion and contributions to the Church.[3]
Veneration
Saint John Henry Newman is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to the Birmingham Oratory in Birmingham, England, where his relics, including personal items, are preserved.[2] He is depicted in art wearing cardinal’s robes or an Oratorian habit, often with books symbolizing his scholarship. Works like *Apologia Pro Vita Sua* and biographies by Ian Ker inspire devotion.[6] His shrine attracts pilgrims seeking guidance in faith and academia, influencing Catholic and Anglican communities.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "St. John Henry Newman". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=677.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Saint John Henry Newman". https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-henry-newman/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Saint John Henry Newman". https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/october-9-saint-john-henry-newman/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "John Henry Newman". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10794a.htm.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "St. John Henry Newman". https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-john-henry-newman-678.
- ↑ Ker, Ian (1988). John Henry Newman: A Biography. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0192802903.