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This is a very special title accorded by the Church to certain saints. This title indicates that the writings and preachings of such a person are useful to Christians "in any age of the Church." Such men and women are also particularly known for the depth of understanding and the orthodoxy of their theological teachings. While the writings of the Doctors are often considered inspired by the Holy Spirit. This does not mean they are infallible, but it does mean that they contributed significantly to the formulation of Christian teaching in at least one area.


Name Lifespan Designation
St. Athanasius 296 - 373 1568 by Pius V
St. Ephraem the Syrian 306 - 373 October 5, 1920 by Benedict XV
St. Hilary of Poitiers 315 - 367 May 13, 1851 by Pius IX
St. Cyril of Jerusalem 315 - 386 July 28, 1882 by Leo XIII
St. Gregory of Nazianzus 325 - 389 1568 by Pius V
St. Basil the Great 329 - 379 1568 by Pius V
St. Ambrose 339 - 397 September 20, 1295 by Boniface VIII
St. John Chrysostom 347 - 407 1568 by Pius V
St. Jerome 347 - 419 September 20, 1295 by Boniface XIII
St. Augustine 354 - 430 September 20, 1295 by Boniface XIII
St. Cyril of Alexandria 376 - 444 July 28, 1882 by Leo XIII
St. Peter Chrysologous 400 - 450 February 10, 1729 by Benedict XIII
St. Leo the Great 400 - 461 October 15, 1754 by Benedict XIV
St. Gregory the Great 540 - 604 September 20, 1295 by Boniface XIII
St. Isidore of Seville 560 - 636 April 25, 1722 by Innocent XIII
St. John of Damascus 645 - 749 August 19, 1890 by Leo XIII
St. Bede the Venerable 672 - 735 November 13, 1899 by Leo XIII
St. Peter Damian 1007 - 1072 September 27, 1828 by Leo XII
St. Anselm 1033 - 1109 February 3, 1720 by Clement XI
St. Bernard of Clairvaux 1090 - 1153 August 20, 1830 by Pius VIII
St. Anthony of Padua 1195 - 1231 January 16, 1946 by Pius XII
St. Albert the Great 1206 - 1280 December 16, 1931 by Pius XI
St. Bonaventure 1221 - 1274 March 14, 1588 by Sixtus V
St. Thomas Aquinas 1226 - 1274 April 11, 1567 by Pius V
St. Catherine of Siena 1347 - 1380 October 4, 1970 by Paul VI
St. Teresa of Avila 1515 - 1582 September 27, 1970 by Paul VI
St. Peter Canisius 1521 - 1597 May 21, 1925 by Pius XI
St. John of the Cross 1542 - 1591 August 24, 1926 by Pius XI
St. Robert Bellarmine 1542 - 1621 September 17, 1931 by Pius XI
St. Lawrence of Brindisi 1559 - 1619 March 19, 1959 by John XXIII
St. Francis de Sales 1567 - 1622 November 16, 1871 by Pius IX
St. Alphonsus Ligouri 1696 - 1787 July 7, 1871 by Pius IX
St. Thérèse of Lisieux 1873 - 1897 October 19, 1997 by John Paul II