St. John Neumann
Feast 01-05 · Canonized 1977
Patron of
About
John Nepomucene Neumann was born in Prachatice, Bohemia, in 1811. Ordained in 1836, he found no assignment in his overcrowded homeland and sailed for America, arriving in New York with one dollar in his pocket. He was ordained for the Diocese of New York and served German-speaking immigrants in the Buffalo area.
In 1840 he joined the Redemptorists, and in 1852 he was named Bishop of Philadelphia. There he organized the first diocesan school system in the United States, built dozens of churches, and founded the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.
He died in 1860 and was canonized in 1977, the first American male saint. He is venerated as a patron of immigrants and of sick children.
Suggested prayer
O God, who led St. John Neumann to New York with one dollar in his pocket and made him the builder of the first diocesan school system in America, grant through his intercession that immigrants may find welcome and sick children may find healing. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
