St. John Neumann

Their story

John Neumann was born on March 28, 1811, in Prachatitz, Bohemia, in today's Czech Republic. He studied for the priesthood, but when he was ready to be ordained his diocese already had more priests than it needed. Having read letters from missionaries in America, he decided to go there. In 1836 he crossed the ocean with little money, arrived in New York and was ordained a priest that same year. His first assignment was to German-speaking immigrants scattered across a large area near Niagara Falls. He traveled from settlement to settlement, often on foot, teaching children, visiting the sick and building small churches. He spoke several languages and learned more so he could hear the confessions of the immigrants in his care. Longing for community life, he joined the Redemptorist order in 1840 and became the first Redemptorist to make his vows in the United States. In 1852 John was named bishop of Philadelphia, a large and growing diocese. He organized the first diocesan system of Catholic schools in the country, building many parish schools so the children of poor immigrants could be educated in the faith. He welcomed religious sisters to teach, built new churches and promoted devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He lived simply and was known for his kindness. On January 5, 1860, he collapsed on a Philadelphia street and died at the age of 48. Pope St. Paul VI canonized him in 1977, the first American bishop to be named a saint.