Patrick J. Reilly is President, CEO, and Founder of The Cardinal Newman Society, which promotes and defends faithful Catholic education.
Since 1993, the Society has led a movement of educators and parents to uphold clear standards of truth and fidelity in Catholic education and to build up a strong core of faithful Catholic schools, homeschools, colleges, and graduate programs. This is done in full accord with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and to promote the vision of the Society’s holy patron, Saint John Henry Newman.
Patrick also serves as an adjunct professor teaching rhetoric at Holy Apostles College and Seminary and a teacher and developer of logic, rhetoric, and philosophy courses for students grade 7-12 at Aquinas Learning, a classical Catholic hybrid school founded and led by his wife, Rosario.
He has authored and edited many articles, reports, studies, and other publications on Catholic education for The Cardinal Newman Society and national media; addressed audiences for national and local Catholic organizations; and appeared on EWTN, FOX News, MSNBC, and numerous radio programs.
Patrick was awarded Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Benedictine College (Atchison, Kan.) in 2022 and Holy Apostles College and Seminary (Cromwell, Conn.) in 2008. He also was awarded the Catholic Culture Award from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College (Barry’s Bary, Ontario) in 2023; the Excellence in Youth Ministry Award from the Diocese of Arlington in 2019; the Lumen Vitae Medal from the University of Mary in 2018; the Miles Militantis Ecclesiae Award from the Brent Society of the Diocese of Arlington in 2011; the Hall of Fame Award from the Catholic Education Foundation in 2009; and the Spes Nostra Award from the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools in 2003.
He previously served as editor and research fellow at Capital Research Center, executive director of Citizens for Educational Freedom, higher education analyst at the U.S. House of Representatives, program analyst at the U.S. Department of Education, media consultant for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and chairman of American Collegians for Life.
Patrick and his wife Rosario have five children, including four who have attended Newman Guide colleges.