One of the most memorable homilies I ever heard was during Mass on a cruise ship vacation, and included a quote by St. John Henry Newman. Though it was a long time ago, the highlight was that, in the Mass, eternity becomes present within time. It was in this context that I first heard the idea that the Mass is a foretaste of heaven. It was that day that John Henry Newman became one of my spiritual teachers.

This past July, the Holy See Press Office announced that St. John Henry Newman will be named a Doctor of the Church on November 1. This honor denotes that a saint’s teaching (doctor is Latin for “teacher”) is especially instructive when it comes to theology or doctrine. 

Newman will become the 38th Doctor in Church history, joining the ranks of others including St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Teresa of Avila. Here are five reasons why he will make a very great Doctor, or teacher, of the Church. 

1. Newman emphasized the importance of conscience even when we struggle with Church teaching

“Conscience is the aboriginal Vicar of Christ” (Letter to the Duke of Norfolk, Section 5)

While religion has often been accused of idolizing conformity at the expense of the individual, Newman emphasizes the power of one’s personal conscience. He compares conscience’s binding authority to that of the pope for Catholics. We have the responsibility to inform our conscience with Church teaching, and then hold fast to it. 

Though conscience is sometimes used as an excuse to avoid difficult Church teachings, Newman points out that while one must be obedient to their understanding of right and wrong, there is also an obedience to one’s spiritual authority. As Catholics, our spiritual authorities are Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, both of which are given voice by the Magisterium of the Church. 

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2. Newman wanted us to question our faith

“Ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt” (“General Answer to Mr. Kingsley,” Apologia Pro Vita Sua, 317). 

Many people struggle with doubt and worry that uncertainty invalidates their faith. Newman shows that real faith includes struggles. In fact, a true teaching must adapt to them over the centuries. 

There is even an example from Newman’s own life on his journey to becoming Catholic. Newman famously struggled with circumstances surrounding the newly defined dogma of papal infallibility, that the pope is protected from error when speaking authoritatively (ex cathedra, or “from the chair”) on matters of faith and morals. Despite his uncertainty around this teaching, he did not doubt the truth of Catholicism.

3. Newman also showed how Christian teaching can evolve, while staying true to its source

“The first test, then, of a faithful or legitimate or development is its preservation of the essential idea of the doctrine” (“First Test of a true Development; Preservation of Idea,” Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, 62)

One of the biggest factors in Newman’s conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism was the development of doctrine. Before his conversion, Newman thought that the Catholic Church had added teachings beyond what Jesus gave. When Newman started writing Essay, he planned on proving these changes to Christian teaching went against Christ and the Bible. 

Newman discovered that developments like icons or the Rosary were true, organic developments from the Bible’s teachings. Even Catholic teachings that seem to appear hundreds of years later are preserving the essential idea as they interact with Christians throughout the centuries.

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4. Newman put God at the center of Christian education 

“Religious truth is not only a portion, but a condition of general knowledge. To blot it out is nothing short, if I may so speak, of unraveling the web of University Teaching.” – (“Discourse III, paragraph 10,” Idea of a University, 53)

In addition to his writing, St. John Henry Newman also helped found The Catholic University of Ireland. Catholics could not openly teach or even attend universities in England after the Reformation until 1871, so Newman created a place where Catholic education could flourish. This is why many Catholic centers on college campuses bear his name. 

As rector of the Catholic University of Ireland, Newman gave a series of lectures to staff and students about how a school can cultivate the intellect. He emphasized how “religious truth” must be central to all other subjects because God is what grounds all of reality.

5. Newman sacrificed honor and comfort to follow God

“It was like coming into port after a rough sea; and my happiness on that score remains to this day without interruption.” (“General Answer to Mr. Kingsley,” Apologia Pro Vita Sua, 317). 

Today, Newman is honored in the Catholic Church. However, this was not the initial reaction after his conversion to Catholicism. He was also originally looked at with suspicion by Catholics, and rejected by his Anglican colleagues and students at Oxford, many of whom he had worked with or guided for years. 

Despite this, his faith persevered. He even started a community inspired by St. Philip Neri called The Oratory. At age 78, Newman was named a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII

Like a good doctor, or teacher, Newman devoted his life to finding and sharing the truth. May we continue to find it with his guidance. 

St. John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Church, pray for us!