Feast Day: January 5

Born in Prachatitz, Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic), the young John Neumann received a fine education. Upon completing his childhood schooling, he considered becoming a medical doctor. His mother, however, could see that her son’s true desire was to be a priest, so she encouraged him to apply to the seminary. To his surprise, he was accepted and began his seminary studies for the Diocese of Budweis on November 1, 1831, at the age of twenty.

While in the seminary, John was inspired by the missionary journeys of Saint Paul, who endured beatings, shipwrecks, stonings, sleepless nights, hunger, and exposure to the elements. Most people would be deterred from missionary work after reading about Saint Paul’s travails, but not Seminarian John Neumann. When he learned about the need for priests in the mission territory of the newly founded United States, he made up his mind to serve there after his ordination.

Upon completing his seminary studies, John’s ordination to the priesthood was initially delayed when his bishop became seriously ill and ultimately canceled because his diocese had too many priests. The cancellation was John’s sign to imitate Saint Paul, so he immediately boarded a ship to the United States in the hope of finding a bishop to ordain him for service to America’s immigrants. He arrived in New York with one set of clothes and a dollar to his name. Bishop John Dubois of New York was desperate for German-speaking priests to serve his people. He warmly welcomed John and ordained him only seventeen days after his arrival. 

Father Neumann’s first assignment was near Niagara Falls, where his parish covered about a thousand square miles, mostly populated with poor immigrant farmers. Like Saint Paul, Father Neumann traveled constantly, celebrating Mass, teaching, visiting homes, and building churches. He was tireless, and his humble, warm, and thoughtful personality made an impression on many. Eventually, he took vows with the Redemptorist Order and was later appointed the first General Superior of the order’s ten foundations in America. Five years later, he was named the fourth bishop of Philadelphia. In the City of Brotherly Love, he continued to work tirelessly, establishing the diocesan school system, promoting forty-hours devotion, and building many schools and churches. He traveled constantly so that he could be close to his people and shepherd them in person. Bishop John Neumann remained Bishop of Philadelphia until his death at the age of forty-nine in 1860. In 1977, he became the first American bishop to be canonized a saint. 

Let us pray: Saint John Neumann, you served the God you loved through tireless charity, preaching, leadership, and compassion. You spread the Gospel on foot, deeply loved the poor and troubled, and worked as an administrator to build up the life of the Church. Please pray that I may be inspired by your zeal and commit myself to the fulfillment of God’s will for my life. Saint John Neumann, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.