Feast of St. John Neumann, the First American Male Saint
The Feast of St. John Neumann is celebrated in honor of John Nepomucene Neumann, who is recognized as the first American male saint. Born in Bohemia on March 28, 1811, Neumann was deeply committed to his faith from a young age, ultimately leading him to pursue a life in the priesthood despite his parents' wishes for him to enter medicine. After being ordained in New York City in 1836, he dedicated his life to serving poor German immigrant communities in the United States. Neumann is particularly noted for his contributions to Catholic education, establishing numerous parishes and schools, and is often referred to as the Father of the American Parochial School System. He became the fourth bishop of Philadelphia in 1852 and was instrumental in expanding the city's Catholic educational institutions. Neumann passed away on January 5, 1860, at the age of 48. His canonization occurred on June 19, 1977, after the recognition of three miracles attributed to his intercession, marking a significant moment in American Catholic history. The feast day serves as a reminder of his enduring legacy and influence within the church.
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Feast of St. John Neumann, the First American Male Saint
Feast of St. John Neumann, the First American Male Saint
On June 19, 1977, a century after his death, John Nepomucene Neumann, “The Little Bishop of Philadelphia,” was canonized in Rome by Pope Paul VI, becoming the first American male saint. Tens of thousands gathered for the outdoor ceremony in St. Peter's Square to pay homage to a man who had spent his life in quiet dedication to the church.
Born in Prachatitz, Bohemia, on March 28, 1811, John Neumann was one of six children of Philip and Agnes Neumann. From early childhood he displayed an avid interest in religion and the priesthood, and despite his parents' later urgings that he go into the medical profession, he entered the seminary of Budweis in 1831. An intense student, he eagerly absorbed knowledge of canon law and the scriptures. After completing his courses at Budweis, he went on to the University of Prague. Although he was fluent in many Slavic dialects and at least eight modern languages, he studied English at Prague with the hope of going on to become an American missionary. After graduating with honors from the seminary in Prague in August 1835, he returned to Budweis for ordination. However, because of an overabundance of priests, he was unable to be ordained in his native diocese.
Undismayed, he decided to sail to America in April 1836. Arriving in New York City on June 2, he was received by Bishop John DuBois and was ordained on June 25 in St. Patrick's Cathedral. Because of Father Neumann's fluency in German, DuBois assigned him to Williamsville, New York, where he was to attend a number of frontier missions. During the next four years he journeyed on foot and by wagon, ministering to the poor German immigrant congregations scattered throughout the upstate area. Being of small stature (5 feet 4 inches tall), he began to be fondly called “little priest” by his charges.
In 1840 his self-sacrificing work was brought to the attention of the Redemptorist Fathers, who were establishing a monastery in Pittsburgh. Esteeming their rigorous rule, he joined the congregation. After a period of probation, he made his profession of vows in St. James's Church in Baltimore on January 16, 1842, becoming the first person to be received into the Redemptorist order in the United States. While a Redemptorist, he continued to preach and minister to the impoverished and sick throughout the Northeast. In 1844, he was called upon to head the Redemptorist missions at Pittsburgh. His appointment as superior of the community was a heavy burden for Neumann. Not only did he continue to visit missionary territory in addition to his parish work, but he became instrumental in the building of the elaborate Gothic church of St. Philomena.
Neumann's labors were received with gratitude by the Redemptorist order, and in 1846, at the age of 35, he was made vice-provincial of the Redemptorists in America and left Pittsburgh for their headquarters in Baltimore. For the next five years Neumann worked as diligently as he had in the past, establishing many parishes and schools and encouraging religious vocations. In 1851 he was appointed pastor of the unfinished church of St. Alphonsus in Baltimore. This position was much more to his liking because it allowed him to step out of the limelight and afforded him the seclusion he desired. However, this respite from worldly influence was brief, for in 1852 he was selected to succeed Francis P. Kenrick as bishop of Philadelphia. Although reluctant to accept the post, once consecrated under the rule of obedience, Bishop Neumann applied the same energy and dedication to his new duties that he had to his earlier ones.
During his tenure as Philadelphia's fourth bishop, he was responsible for the establishment of 80 new parishes and the building of hundreds of parochial schools. The schools were staffed by various teaching sisterhoods, some of which he helped bring from Europe. Among those were the Sisters of Notre Dame of Munich and the Sisters of the Holy Cross from France. When Neumann was consecrated as a bishop there were only 500 children in Philadelphia parochial schools, but within three years enrollment had increased to 9,000. Because of his work in the Catholic school system, he has been referred to by many as the Father of the American Parochial School System.
After serving faithfully for eight years as bishop, Neumann collapsed and died on a Philadelphia street on January 5, 1860, at the age of 48. The cause of his sudden death is uncertain. The sad news was announced at all masses in the diocese the following day. In 1866, six years after his death, the question of beatification arose. Certain miracles were said to have occurred at his tomb in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia. A commission was formed to inquire into his life and give testimony to the Vatican. In 1896 the church pronounced Neumann Venerable, and in 1963 he was proclaimed Blessed. This level of sanctity was one step away from sainthood, for which there would have to be proof that three miracles had taken place through Neumann's intercession. Accounts of three miraculous cures of hopelessly ill young people were accepted by the church: one in Italy in 1923; one in Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1949; and the third in West Philadelphia in 1963. All three who were cured were present in Rome at the canonization ceremony in 1977. The canonization was observed in the United States in Philadelphia at St. Peter's, where the bishop's body was on display behind glass in the altar.