Tomorrow, Saturday 1 November, St John Henry Newman will be proclaimed a Doctor of the Universal Church.

You can watch Pope Leo make the official declaration during Holy Mass via the Vatican’s YouTube channel. Mass starts at 9.30am (UK time).

“I will confer the title of Doctor of the Church on Saint John Henry Newman, who gave a decisive contribution to the renewal of theology and to understanding Christian doctrine in its development, in the context of the Jubilee of the World of Education,” Pope Leo.

Earlier this week St John Henry was proclaimed a co-patron of the Church’s educational mission, along with St Thomas Aquinas. 

It is very fitting he will be proclaimed Doctor during the Jubilee of the World of Education.

St John Henry will be the 38th Doctor of the Church. The much-loved educationalist has significant links to the Archdiocese of Birmingham and has many followers.

Archbishop Bernard Longley said: “Fathers of the Birmingham and Oxford Oratories will be joining Cardinal Vincent Nichols in Rome on Saturday 1 November to witness an historic moment in the life of the Church in England and Wales. 

“Pope Leo XIV will proclaim St John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Universal Church during the Jubilee of the World of Education.  

“This new title for Cardinal Newman recognises the great contribution he has made to the Church’s self-understanding, to the formation of the lay faithful, to Catholic education and to our understanding of the rôle of conscience in decision-making. 

“The proclamation is of ecumenical significance since it embraces all that Cardinal Newman wrote, preached and taught both as an Anglican priest and after his reception into full communion with the Catholic Church.  It is also an occasion of great joy for the Archdiocese of Birmingham where St John Henry’s work and witness as a faithful pastor is recalled and cherished.”

The title of Doctor of the Church is given to Saints who have made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study or writing.

Watch on YouTube

Photograph courtesy of the Catholic Bishops' Conference. Taken at St Chad's Cathedral.