Who is St John Henry Newman?

Our school is named after Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890), a recent Saint and one who had a profound understanding of the importance of a faithfully Catholic liberal education. 


A Cardinal, theologian, philosopher, academic and poet, Newman’s legacy is far reaching. Much of his life’s work was dedicated to supporting the renewal of Catholic liberal education, which is one of the many reasons our founding families and Board chose St John Henry Newman to be our school's patron and namesake.



  • The Life of St John Henry Newman

    Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890) began his clerical life as an Anglican priest before converting to Catholicism in 1845. As an Anglican, Newman was a key figure in the Oxford Movement, seeking to return the Church of England to its liturgical, theological and devotional traditions by reclaiming its identity as an apostolic and catholic church. Following his conversion to Catholicism, Newman went on to found the Birmingham Oratory, becoming a great defender of the faith and a profound influence in the renewal of classical Catholic education. His influence in this particular area continues to endure today, and his philosophy of education is best compiled in the pages of his book The Idea of a University.


    Newman’s vision of a liberal Catholic education is at the heart of our school’s educational philosophy, and the words of our school motto are taken from this great Saint’s tombstone: Ex Umbris In Veritatem, “Out of Shadows into Truth.”

  • St John Henry Newman on Education

    Newman had an ambitious and profound vision of education and its impact:


    "That perfection of the Intellect, which is the result of Education… is the clear, calm, accurate vision and comprehension of all things, as far as the finite mind can embrace them, each in its place, and with its own characteristics upon it. It is almost prophetic from its knowledge of history; it is almost heart-searching from its knowledge of human nature; it has almost supernatural charity from its freedom from littleness and prejudice; it has almost the repose of faith, because nothing can startle it; it has almost the beauty and harmony of heavenly contemplation, so intimate is it with the eternal order of things and the music of the spheres."

Our School Prayer

In the early stages of our school's development, we composed a prayer to St John Henry Newman asking for his intercession to God for the intention of our school's flourishing. Please consider joining us in our continued petition that, through our Patron's intercession, Newman College "may be faithful to its Catholic vision of education as we journey out of shadows into truth, through our commitment to God and learning."


You can find our school prayer here.