Share:

There was much joy and excitement on both campuses of Thomas Aquinas College on October 13, when His Holiness Pope Francis canonized St. John Henry Newman — making the 19th century British theologian, cardinal, and convert the newest canonized saint in the College’s classical curriculum.

“John Henry Newman was a great leader in the Church, a great Catholic thinker and apologist, and a great Catholic preacher and teacher,” says President Michael F. McLean. “His magnificent ‘Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine’ has long been read in our program in the Senior Seminar. It is a landmark work of Catholic theology which provides an account of authentic doctrinal development, making it an important work for Catholic undergraduates to study.”

Among the more than 50,000 members of the faithful who traveled to Rome for the canonization were several alumni who graciously allowed some of their photos to be shared on the College’s Instagram account:

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Thomas Aquinas College (@thomas.aquinas.college) on

Among those was Brigid (McCarthy ’04) Strader, whose husband, Scott, is studying for a doctorate at the University of St. Thomas. “My husband and I were very grateful to be able to attend the canonization,” says Mrs. Strader. “It is a gift to experience any canonization, and John Henry Newman’s, in particular, was a huge grace. John Henry Newman is a model for anyone who hopes to live a scholastic life at the service of truth and in relationship with God.”