St John Henry Newman - to be proclaimed a Doctor on Saturday 1 November - is widely celebrated across the Archdiocese of Birmingham and all are invited to mark his Feast Day on Thursday 9 October alongside two anniversaries.

As we continue to celebrate this Jubilee Year, and the forthcoming Jubilee of the World of Education, it is timely to commemorate the much-loved educationalist.

September (2025) marks the 15th anniversary of Newman’s Beatification in Cofton Park, Birmingham in 2010 by Pope Benedict. October (2025) marks the sixth anniversary of his Canonisation in Rome by Pope Francis.

And Pope Leo has announced that on Saturday 1 November, during the Jubilee of the World of Education, he will confer the title of Doctor of the Church on St John Henry Newman.

The Saint has significant links to the Archdiocese and has many followers. He is widely considered to be one of the most significant figures of the 19th century.

To mark his forthcoming Feast Day various events are taking place across the Archdiocese, including at St John Henry Newman Parish. They are planning:

•    ‘Doctor Who’ - A workshop with children from parish schools looking at the life of St Newman and him being declared a Doctor
•    An article is being penned on what exactly a Doctor of the Church is and why has our Patron been declared one
•    A concert featuring CJM Music in his honour
•    Social media posts featuring parishioners leading the Novena
•    Newman Weekend Masses with schools participating.
•    A Parish Walk (with litter picking as part of our LiveSimply commitment) around the churches of the St Newman Parish ending with Benediction. 

More details here

On Thursday 9 October the Newman Cluster of Parishes will be hosting a concelebrated Mass in honour of St John Henry Newman on the occasion of his proclamation as a Doctor of the Church. 

The venue is Our Lady of the Assumption, Maryvale (Old Oscott Hill, Birmingham B44 9SP).  Mass will begin at 7pm. Refreshments will be served after Mass in the Maryvale Community Centre.

All are also invited to pray. A Novena was recently published by Newman Friends International, Littlemore, and is available to access here 

Information about St John Henry Newman, and the impact he had on the Catholic Church, is widely available.

JHN: A Doctor of the Church