Patron of: teachers, academics, writers, and seekers of truth.
St. John Henry Newman (1801–1890)
Feast Day: October 9
Patron of: teachers, academics, writers, and seekers of truth
Patron of: teachers, academics, writers, and seekers of truth
St. John Henry Newman was born in London and became a brilliant scholar, preacher, and Anglican priest. A leading figure in the Oxford Movement, he sought to restore ancient Christian roots within Anglicanism. His deep study of the early Church Fathers eventually led him to the Catholic Church, where he was received in 1845—a decision that cost him friendships, reputation, and academic standing.
Newman became a Catholic priest and later a Cardinal, dedicating his life to education, theology, and guiding souls toward truth. He founded the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England and established the Catholic University of Ireland, which later inspired his famous work The Idea of a University, a foundational text on education.
A man of profound intellect and deep humility, Newman emphasized the harmony of faith and reason, the importance of conscience, and the personal call of God in every life. His motto was:
“Cor ad cor loquitur” — “Heart speaks to heart.”
He was canonized in 2019 and is cherished for his spiritual writings, prayers, and reflections that continue to inspire Christians worldwide.
Famous Quotes by St. John Henry Newman
. On God’s plan for your life
“God has created me to do Him some definite service.”
On trust in God
“I know in whom I have believed.”
On growing in holiness
“To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”
On conscience
“Conscience is the aboriginal Vicar of Christ.”
On divine guidance
“Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom; lead Thou me on.”
On the nearness of God
“God knows me and calls me by my name.”
On love and mission
“Heart speaks to heart.”
On God’s faithfulness
“He knows what He is about.”
1009 St John Henry Newman 1p LETTER 20251120
PRAYERS
Prayer:
O God, who bestowed on the Priest Saint John Henry Newman the grace to follow your kindly light and find peace in your Church; graciously grant that, through his intercession and example, we may be led out of shadows and images into the fulness of your truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer of Cardinal Newman
May the Lord support us all the day long,
Till the shades lengthen and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.
Then in his mercy may he give us a safe lodging,
and holy rest, and peace at the last.
Amen.
A Prayer for The Future
Loving God,
each day as I step further into my future,
give me the courage, knowledge and
patience that I need on my journey.
Remind me that you always journey with me
and that you will never lead me into anything
that you won’t lead me through.
Thank you for the gift of my life.
May the way I live it be my gift to you –
with your love and guidance
In Jesus’ name. Amen
Prayer: In Your Arms I Am Safe
O my Lord and Savior,
in your arms I am safe.
Keep me and I have nothing to fear.
Give me up and I have nothing to hope for.
I do not know what will come upon me before I die.
I know nothing about the future,
but I rely upon you.
I pray that you would give me what is good for me.
I pray that you would to take from me whatever would imperil my salvation.
I do not pray that you would make me rich.
I do not pray that you would make me very poor.
I leave it all to you, because you know and I do not.
If you bring pain or sorrow on me,
give me grace to bear it well—
keep me from fretfulness and selfishness.
If you give me health and strength and success in this world,
keep me always on my guard
lest these great gifts carry me away from you.
O Christ, you died on the Cross for me,
even for me, sinner as I am.
Help me to know you,
to believe in you,
to love you,
to serve you,
to always aim at bringing you glory,
to live to and for you,
to set a good example to all around me.
Allow me to die just at that time and in that way
which is best for your glory,
and best for my salvation.
NOVENA TO ST. JOHN HENRY NEWMAN
St. John Henry Newman Novena – Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, being a college student is such a pivotal moment in a person’s life. It is the marking of when one becomes independent. One takes on so much new knowledge. It truly signifies that transition from child to adult. There is so much pressure, and as such, it’s often the time when people begin to abandon their faith.
St. John Henry Newman, you knew that this was such an important time in a person’s life; that’s why you dedicated most of your life to this group of people.
Please guide all college students, St. John Henry Newman. Convict them with newfound knowledge of Christ. Allow them to find friends and mentors on campus who will encourage their faith, not convince them that it isn’t cool. Help them to make wise, healthy choices. Allow them to use this time of discovery, not to drive them away into the arms of Satan, but rather to fall on their knees in front of God and realize how much He loves them.
Please especially ensure that all college campuses have access to regular Mass, adoration, and confession. Bless all of those who work with college students to give them these resources, especially all those that work at Newman Centers in your honor.
Please also keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Henry Newman Novena – Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, we know that anyone who loves You is loved so much more in return. Like the one who lost one of his 99 sheep, I have to believe that your joy at a convert’s return to You must be particularly joyful.
St. John Henry Newman, you know firsthand the struggles of being a convert. As a vicar of a college church, it must have been astonishing for you to find yourself being drawn in by the truths of Catholicism. Yet, you had the grace, humility, and courage needed to accept the truth and convert to a new religion.
St. John Henry Newman, please watch over all converts. Help them as they go through the struggles that you so well know. Help their families and friends to be supportive. Encourage them to learn as much as they can about Christ. Finally, allow them to feel the joy they have at their first moment of coming home throughout their lives.
Please also allow me to feel reconverted in my heart each day. Whether I was born into Faith or am a convert myself, inspire that same joy in my own heart no matter how many days or years it’s been since I’ve learned to love God. Help me to always feel on fire and fresh with my faith!
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Henry Newman Novena – Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, thank You for guiding the Church throughout history. We’ve certainly seen some ups and downs, but I pray that we always stay in Your favor and that the study of our history can help us become even better Christians today.
St. John Henry Newman, part of what converted you to the Catholic Church was seeing our history and understanding that this was the true religion founded by Christ. Since that was such a convincing factor for you, you set about to make sure that the rest of the Church also knew just how important our history is.
I know that we haven’t always followed God as best as we could as a Church. Like any individual person, we’ve strayed from what God wants many times. The recent abuse scandals in the Church have only reminded us of that more and more.
Yet, there is also hope that we can find in our Church’s history. We can see times of beauty. We can see times of great evangelization. We can see times of growth in the love and understanding of God. We can see the example of so many wonderful saints, including yourself.
St. John Henry Newman, please enlighten me on our Church’s history so that I may be fortified by its knowledge. When others look back on the Church’s history years from now, allow me to be an example that also leads others to holiness.
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Henry Newman Novena – Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, when You were here on earth, You taught Your disciples about the law. But You didn’t just teach them what the laws were. You peeled them back and showed why they were important. You showed the intention behind the law.
St. John Henry Newman, can you do the same for me?
I know that one of your passions was teaching about Church doctrine. You recognized that the people of the times had fallen into the same ways as the disciples. They were following the law, but they didn’t know what it really meant.
Sometimes, our religion can seem so full of rules, St. Newman. But you saw the reason behind them. Knowing that reason makes you realize that they are not restrictive, but actually freeing. Church doctrine is beautiful! It allows us to love God in the way He wishes to be loved!
Please enlighten me about the true meaning of the Church’s laws. Encourage me to be constantly learning. Help me to understand doctrine for what it really is: a way of life and thinking that leads straight to God. Allow me to follow this doctrine, not because I am afraid of the consequences, but because I want to love God fully.
Please also keep in mind my other intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Henry Newman Novena – Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, today I bring to you all those who work at colleges and universities around the world. I pray that they take their responsibility of forming young adults seriously. May they be encouraged and inspired by the joy of the new generation!
St. John Henry Newman, it must have been exhausting sometimes working with college students. They are going through all of these emotions and transitions, all while learning so much about the world around them! But you never gave up on them, and had the monumental task of working to make sure that they also learned about God during their time at college.
Today’s college students will be tomorrow’s leaders. Please bless all of those who work with college students, St. John Henry Newman. Give them patience and discretion. Help them to be a mentor always, especially in matters of faith. Please allow them the opportunity to witness to Christ to these students and to be unafraid of speaking the truth.
I also ask that all colleges are open to faith on campus. Please especially watch over all Newman Centers named in your honor.
I also ask that you keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions)
St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Henry Newman Novena – Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, thank You for the gift of vocations. Please help us all to use this great gift of loving You in a special way!
St. John Henry Newman, despite the fact that you were a member of the clergy, you recognized the importance of educating the laity. That’s why you spent so much time dissecting Church history and doctrine, so that knowledge of faith wouldn’t only be for the clergy.
Please open this same knowledge to me. No matter my vocation, encourage me to further educate myself on the Church. Enkindle my heart to burn with further knowledge of God. When I read, listen, or watch information about the Faith, help banish distractions from my mind. Help me to find applications to my life today to make these teachings even more relevant.
Could you also inspire me to perhaps teach others more about God too? Open my heart to the possibility of serving as an educator of the faith, either through religious education, youth ministry, Bible study, or so many other opportunities. Help me to feel equipped to answer this call if it is placed on my heart.
Please also intercede on behalf of my other intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Henry Newman Novena – Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, I know You said that anyone who wishes to follow after You must take up their cross and follow You. I am willing to take up my cross, but sometimes, it seems heavier than I believe I can manage.
St. John Henry Newman, you probably faced a lot of crosses in your life. Working in higher education administration must have had its roadblocks, especially when you were trying to teach the truth. Even abandoning your Protestant faith to become a Catholic must have been challenging!
I have a cross in my life I am finding hard to bear, St. John Henry Newman. I know that it is my duty to carry it faithfully, but I need help. Can you help me to bear it?
Please pray for me, St. John Henry Newman. Ask God to give me strength to trust in Him despite the trials. Intercede on my behalf that this current cross will help me to grow in virtue and draw closer to Christ. Give me the grace of perseverance, that I may know the good this cross will win.
Please also keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Henry Newman Novena – Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, You sent us the greatest role model we could ever ask for in Jesus Himself. But sometimes, it can seem difficult to attain Jesus’ level of holiness because of His divine nature. Therefore, I also appreciate the gift of the saints, who help to prove to me each day that holiness is possible.
St. John Henry Newman, some of your role models included the early Church Fathers. You devoured their writings, and in fact, it was their testimony that helped lead you to the Faith.
Similarly, I find the lives of saints like you, St. John Henry Newman, to be most inspiring on my own faith journey. I am heartened by the fact that ordinary people like me can do extraordinary things for God: so extraordinary that He blesses them by allowing miracles to happen through their intercession.
I know my path to sainthood is rocky, but yet I still strive to lead that holy of a life thanks to your modeling. Thank you for showing me what it looks like to lead a moral, holy life that is pleasing to God! Help me to always be inspired by the saints and turn to you all in times of need. Please continue to intercede on my behalf, especially when it comes to the wellbeing of my soul.
I also ask that you keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Henry Newman Novena – Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, when I look at all that You have done for me, I know that I should always be solid in my belief in You. Yet, when troubles come, I cannot say that is always the case.
St. John Henry Newman, today I’d like to bring to you all of those whose faith is being tested. Whether that describes myself or a friend, I know that we have all gone through these times of doubt. I’m sure you experienced that feeling in your life too!
Please be with all those currently doubting their faith, St. John Henry Newman. Enlighten their souls with joy in God’s presence. Encourage them to pray harder, study more, and never give up on their faith. Grant them the grace of perseverance, and intercede on their behalf that they may once again feel the strength of God’s love for them.
At this time, I also request that you pray on my behalf for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Stay connected — subscribe today
https://www.youtube.com/@st.michaelusa
SIGN UP SO YOU CAN GET A BLESSING !
https://stmichaelcenter.flocknote.com/StMichaelCenter
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK !
https://www.facebook.com/StMichaelCenter/
MAKE A DONATION SUPPORT YOUTH & ACTIVITIES
https://saintmichaelusa.org/make-a-donation/
