Doctors of the Church

Chronological list of the saints who are recognized for their development of Christian doctrine.

The title “Doctor of the Church,” unlike the popular title “Father of the Church,” is an official designation that is bestowed by the Pope in recognition of the outstanding contribution a person has made to the understanding and interpretation of the sacred Scriptures and the development of Christian doctrine.

Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio

For a saint to be considered a “Doctor of the Church, he or she must have these three requirements:

  1. Holiness.
  2. Deep understanding and insight of faith.
  3. High quality writings or contributions that stand out as having an impact on helping the Church.
NameBornPromotedLearn More
St. Athanasius2981568EWTN Video
St. Hilary of Poitiers3001851Franciscan Media
St. Ephrem3061920CS Profile Page
St. Cyril of Jerusalem3151883Franciscan Media
St. Gregory of Nazianzus3291568Encyclopedia
St. Basil the Great3301568Encyclopedia
St. Ambrose3401298Word on Fire
St. John Chrysostom3471568EWTN Video
St. Jerome3471298Word on Fire
St. Augustine3541298Franciscan Media
St. Cyril of Alexandria3761883CS Profile Page
St. Leo the Great4001754Catholic News
St. Peter Chrysologus4061729Franciscan Media
St. Gregory the Great5401298Word on Fire
St. Isidore of Seville5601722Sanctoral
St. Bede the Venerable6731899CS Profile Page
St. John Damascene6761890Catholic News
St. Gregory of Narek9512015Franciscan Media
St. Peter Damian10071828Shalom World
St. Anselm10331720Catholic News
St. Bernard of Clairvaux10901830Sanctoral
St. Hildegard of Bingen10982012Franciscan Media
St. Albertus Magnus12061931Encyclopedia
St. Anthony of Padua11951946CS Profile Page
St. Bonaventure12211588Catholic News
St. Thomas Aquinas12251567EWTN Video
St. Catherine of Siena13471970CS Profile Page
St. John of Avila15002012Franciscan Media
St. Teresa of Avila15151970EWTN Video
St. Peter Canisius15211925Sanctoral
St. John of the Cross15421926Word on Fire
St. Robert Bellarmine15421931Word on Fire
St. Lawrence of Brindisi15591959Rome Reports
St. Francis de Sales15671877Franciscan Media
St. Alphonsus Liguori16961871Franciscan Media
St. Thérèse of Lisieux18731997CS Profile Page
How can one become a Doctor of the Church?

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