Doctor of the Church
Doctor of the Church is a title given by the Pope to a small number of saints recognized for the outstanding depth of their theological writing and its lasting influence on Catholic doctrine. It is granted separately from canonization itself, and only a few dozen saints have ever received it.
A Rare and Specific Honor
The title Doctor of the Church has been given to only a few dozen saints in two thousand years of Church history, starting with Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory the Great in the early Church. It requires eminent learning, a high degree of personal sanctity already recognized through canonization, and formal proclamation by the Pope — sainthood alone is not enough.
Why Their Writing Still Matters
Doctors of the Church are chosen because their theological or spiritual writing has shaped Catholic doctrine in a lasting way, well beyond their own lifetime. Their works — from Augustine's Confessions to Teresa of Ávila's writings on prayer — remain widely read and studied today, often centuries after they were first written.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Doctors of the Church are there?
As of the early twenty-first century, there are thirty-seven, including four women: Teresa of Ávila, Catherine of Siena, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Hildegard of Bingen.
Is Doctor of the Church the same as being a theologian?
Not quite. Many respected theologians are never named Doctors of the Church, since the title specifically requires sainthood plus a formal papal declaration recognizing exceptional and lasting doctrinal influence.