St. John Henry Newman was born in London in 1801. He was raised in the Anglican faith. He first studied law and then decided to become a priest. He was ordained in the Anglican Church after studying at Trinity College in Oxford. As an Anglican priest, John Henry was influential in the Oxford Movement. Eventually, he converted to the Roman Catholic faith and was ordained a priest in Rome in 1848. Pope Leo XIII named him a cardinal.
St. John Henry Newman was known for writing many books and poetry including the poem Lead kindly light.
He pondered and preached about many theological questions including:
- significance of Our Lady
- the authority in the church
- spirituality during difficult times
St. John Henry Newman died in Birmingham in 1890. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. He was canonized by Pope Francis on October 13, 2019.
Lead Kindly Light
Lead, kindly Light, amid th’ encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on;
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path, but now
Lead Thou me on;
I loved the garish day, and spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.
So long Thy pow’r has blest me, sure it still
Wilt lead me on,
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile
Learn to do thy part and leave the rest to Heaven.
Quote of St. John Henry Newman
October is the Month of the Holy Rosary