Saint John Henry Newman

Biography

Saint John Henry Newman, also known as John Henry Cardinal Newman, was born on February 21, 1801, in London, England. He received his education at Ealing, a private school, and later went on to study at Trinity College, Oxford. During his time at Oxford, he was chosen as a fellow of Oriel College. In 1824, Newman was ordained as an Anglican priest and served as a curate at Saint Clement's Church in Oxford for two years. It was during his time there that he began to explore the works of Catholic writers and became increasingly interested in Catholicism. In 1828, Newman became the vicar of Saint Mary's Church in Oxford. However, as he delved deeper into his studies and became more sympathetic towards Catholicism, he was forced to resign from his position in 1832 due to his controversial views. Newman played a significant role in the founding and guidance of the Tractarian Movement, also known as the Oxford Movement, from 1833 onwards. This movement aimed to bring Catholic elements into the Anglican Church. However, as Newman's writings started aligning more closely with Catholicism, he realized that his view of a via media (middle way) between Catholicism and Luthero-Calvinism was merely a repetition of old heresies. In 1841, Newman withdrew from public life and lived in seclusion with friends at Littlemore. During this time, he devoted himself to reading, studying, and praying, deepening his understanding of Catholicism. Finally, in 1845, he made the decision to convert to the Catholic Church. Newman was ordained as a Catholic priest in Rome, Italy in 1846. He then joined the Oratorians, a religious community focused on education and intellectual pursuits. In 1847, he returned to England and lived in various locations, including Maryvale, Cheadle, St. Ann's, Birmingham, and finally Edgbaston, where he resided for the majority of his remaining 40 years. Throughout his life, Newman remained an influential writer on matters of theology, philosophy, and apologetics, attracting hundreds of individuals to the Catholic Church through his persuasive arguments. He was also known for his poetic talents. In recognition of his contributions, Newman was made an honorary fellow of Trinity College in 1878. Pope Leo XIII elevated him to the rank of cardinal in 1879, acknowledging his significant impact on Catholic thought. Saint John Henry Newman passed away on August 11, 1890, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, due to pneumonia. He was venerated by Pope John Paul II on January 22, 1991, who declared his heroic virtues. Pope Benedict XVI beatified him on September 19, 2010, in an outdoor Mass in Coventry, England. Finally, on October 13, 2019, Saint John Henry Newman was canonized by Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. The canonization miracle involved the healing of a pregnant American woman from a life-threatening hemorrhage and blood clot. Although Saint John Henry Newman does not have an officially recognized patronage, his life and teachings continue to inspire many Catholics and non-Catholics alike.