- Overview
- Early Life
- Conversion to Catholicism
- Legacy
- Prayers
- Quotes
- Patronage
- Related Saints
- Related Prayers
Overview
- Birth: February 21, 1801
- Location: Birmingham, Warwick
- Death: August 11, 1890
- Beatification: September 19, 2010
- Canonized: October 13, 2019
- Feast Day: October 9
- Patron Saint of: the “Newman Centers” at secular colleges and universities
Early Life
St. John Henry Newman lived the first half of his life as an Anglican and the second half as a Roman Catholic. He was a priest as well as a popular preacher, writer, and theologian in both churches.
Conversion to Catholicism
Extensive research into the Church Fathers led Newman to believe that the Catholic Church was the continuation of the Church that Jesus Himself established. In 1845, he was received into full communion with the Catholic Church, and after two more years of theological study, he was ordained a Catholic priest.
Pope Leo XIII created him a cardinal in 1879. Over the span of his life, Newman wrote 40 books and 21,000 letters. He called for an educated, involved laity, and his understanding of theology laid the groundwork for the Second Vatican Council.
Legacy
Newman is remembered for encouraging the formation of communities among Catholic students attending secular universities. Over time, many Catholic centers have been established on college campuses and named after him.
Hallow For Schools: Learn how Hallow helps schools around the country
St. John Henry Newman Prayers
Saint John Henry Newman is particularly known for his insights into the nature of faith, conscience, and the development of Christian doctrine. For an increase in faith and commitment to the truth, here is a prayer you can say:
“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, pray for us!
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St. John Henry Newman Quotes
- “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”
- “Growth is the only evidence of life.”
- “Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning.”
- “A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.”
Patronage
- Saint John Henry Newman Catholic Church – Irvine, Calif.
- Saint John Henry Newman Chapel – Colorado Springs, Colo.
- The National Shrine of Saint John Newman – Philadelphia, Penn.