Saint John Henry Newman

On November 9, 2025, Pope Leo XIV ordered the inscription of Saint John Henry Newman, Priest and Doctor of the Church, into the General Roman Calendar.  St. John Henry is celebrated each year as an Optional Memorial on October 9.

The Holy See released the proper liturgical texts in Latin. The English and Spanish translations must be approved by the USCCB and confirmed by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments before they can be implemented in the United States.

The ad interim indications for the liturgical celebration of St. John Henry Newman are provided below:

Roman Missal

From the Common of Pastors: For One Pastor, or the Common of Doctors of the Church.

Lectionary for Mass

Aside from the usual Mass readings of the day, any Lectionary readings from the Common of Pastors or Common of Doctors of the Church may be used for St. John Henry Newman. The following readings are also recommended by the Holy See, and will appear in a future edition of the Lectionary for Mass. (Current citations from the Lectionary's Common of Pastors and Common of Doctors of the Church are provided for convenience.)

655A – Saint John Henry Newman, Priest and Doctor of the Church

From the Common of Pastors, or the Common of Doctors of the Church, or:

First Reading – Sirach 39:6e-10 (no. 725-4)
He who studies the law of the Most High will be filled with the spirit of understanding.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 40:2 and 4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (no. 721-3)
R/. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

Gospel Acclamation – Matthew 23:9b, 10b (no. 723-1)
You have but one Father in heaven;
you have but one master, the Christ!

Gospel – Matthew 13:47-52 (no. 730-3)
The new and the old.

Liturgy of the Hours

Psalmody of the day. Other elements from the Psalter of the day or from the Common of Pastors: For Priests or the Common of Doctors of the Church.