Skip to content

The path of St. John Henry Newman from Oxford to Rome

Five years ago, with thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis declared Cardinal John Henry Newman a saint. A brilliant academic, poet, theologian and one of the most charismatic figures of the 19th century, Newman left an indelible mark on his time.

From Anglican roots to Catholic curiosity

Born in England in 1801, Newman grew up in an Anglican family. Ordained an Anglican priest at age 24, he served as a clergyman and professor at Oriel College in Oxford for more than two decades. Despite his alliance with the High Church, he had a deep respect for the early Christian tradition, which he believed was shared by the Anglican Church. However, Newman’s journey took an unexpected turn, leading him to question and eventually embrace Catholicism.

“He knew that the Church of Rome was the mother of the Church in England,” explains Father Hermann Geissler, director of the Newman Center in Rome. This respect for Rome clashed with his belief that “the Pope was the Antichrist,” a sentiment shared by many Anglicans of his time.

A journey of illness and revelation

Newman’s path to Catholicism was marked by a significant episode in 1833. During a trip to Italy, he contracted typhus, which led him to a moment of profound spiritual experience. “In his delirious madness, he cried out, ‘I will not die because I have not sinned against the light,'” Father Geissler recalls, pointing to a mystical encounter that Newman himself struggled to fully explain.

In 1845, Newman’s studies of the Church Fathers led him to leave Anglicanism and join the Catholic Church. He tried to Catholicise Anglicanism, but after resistance from Oxford and the Anglican bishops, he chose to live in seclusion near Oxford, devoting himself to study, prayer and discernment.

Embracing Rome and leaving a lasting legacy

In 1846, Newman traveled to Rome to prepare for ordination at the Missionary College of Propaganda Fide. During his stay, he met Pope Pius IX, who visited him personally-a sign of Newman’s growing influence. In 1847, Newman was ordained and returned to England, founding the English Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Birmingham.

His last visit to Rome was in 1879, when Pope Leo XIII, aware of Newman’s impact, named him a cardinal. Despite initial hesitation about moving to Rome, Newman was reassured that he could remain in England, honoring both his role and the Catholic Church in his native land.

Newman’s journey from Oxford to Rome came to fruition five years ago when Pope Francis canonized him in St. Peter’s Square, solidifying his legacy as a saint and key figure in the Catholic Church.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Massimiliano Strappetti: The last man Pope Francis saw and thanked before his death

Having cared for the aging Pope Francis as his personal nurse since 2022, Italian nurse Massimiliano Strappetti was among the few people who saw the Holy Father moments before his death on Easter Monday.

Pope Francis: Temptations, falls do not end in failure for those who believe in God’s love

Pope Francis on Sunday said defeats are not definitive for those who believe in Jesus Christ and trust in God’s love and forgiveness.

Pope Francis Calls On University Students To Proclaim Christ’s Gospel

Pope Francis encouraged university students linked to Opus Dei to share “the Gospel of Jesus Christ, dead and risen” with everyone during this jubilee year in a message to participants of an international congress in Rome.

Pope Francis calls young widower who lost his wife after giving birth to his twin sons

Pope Francis telephoned a young Italian widower who had just lost his wife during the birth of his

After Lourdes’ Decision On Rupnik Art, Fátima Shrine Not Planning To Remove Mosaics

The Lourdes shrine announced Monday it is covering mosaics by alleged abuser Fr. Marko Rupnik, while the Fatima shrine said it won’t remove its own Rupnik artwork.

Pope Francis urges marriage and family institute: Use the gospel to spread salvation

Pope Francis met with the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute on Monday, urging collaboration with scholars and cultural institutions to support Catholic spouses and families.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit