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Son of Philip, who was German
and owned a stocking factory, and Agnes Neumann who was Czech. John was a
small and quiet boy with four sisters and a brother, and was named after
Saint John Nepomucene. An excellent student, John early felt drawn to
religious life. Seminarian at Budweis, Bohemia in 1813, he studied
astronomy and botany in addition to theological topics. Studied theology
at Charles Ferdinand University at Prague in 1833.
When time came for his ordination, the bishop was sick; the date was never
reset because Bohemia had an over-abundance of priests. John decided to go
to America to ask for ordination and work with émigrés. He walked most of
the way to France, then took ship for America.
John arrived unannounced in Manhattan in 1836. Bishop John Dubois was
happy to see him as there were 36 priests for the 200,000 Catholics in New
York and New Jersey. John was ordained on 28 June 1836, and sent to
Buffalo. There the parish priest, Father Pax, gave him the choice of the
city of Buffalo or of the rural area; John chose the more difficult
country area. He stayed in a small town with an unfinished church, and
when it was completed, he moved to a town with a log church. There he
built himself a small log cabin, rarely lit a fire, slept little, often
lived on bread and water, and walked miles to visit farm after remote
farm. John's parishioners were from many lands and tongues, but John knew
twelve languages, and worked with them all.
Joined the Redemptorists at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1840, taking his
vows at Baltimore, Maryland in 1841, the first Redemptorist to do so in
the United States. Home missionary in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia. Rector of Saint Philomena church in Pittsburgh in 1844.
Vice-regent and superior of the Redemptorists in America in 1847. Bishop
of Philadelphia in 1852.
Built fifty churches and began building a cathedral. Opened almost one
hundred schools, and the number of parochial school students in his
diocese grew from 500 to 9,000. Wrote newspaper articles, two catechisms,
and many works in German. First American man and first American bishop to
be canonized.
Born
28 March 1811 at Prachititz, Bohemia (Czech Republic)
Died
5 January 1860 of a stroke at 13th and Vine Streets, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, USA
Beatified
13 October 1963 at Rome, Italy
Canonized
19 June 1977 by Pope Paul VI
Name Meaning
God is gracious (= John)
Readings
Since every man of whatever race is endowed with the dignity of a person,
he has an inalienable right to an education corresponding to his proper
destiny and suited to his native talents, his cultural background, and his
ancestral heritage. At the same time, this education should pave the way
to brotherly association with other peoples, so that genuine unity and
peace on earth may be promoted. For a true education aims at the formation
of the human person with respect to the good of those societies of which,
as a man, he is a member, and in whose responsibilities, as an adult, he
will share.
- Saint John Neumann
A man must always be ready, for
death comes when and where God wills it.
- Saint John Neumann
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj08.htm
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