“A man must always be ready, for death comes when and where God wills it.”

John was born in 1811 inPrachatitz, Bohemia, which is modern-day Czech Republic. He received a fine education and upon completion, considered becoming a medical doctor. His mother, strong in her faith, saw that his true desire was to become a priest, so she encouraged him to attend the seminary.

After studies at the University of Prague, and inspired by the missionary journeys of Saint Paul, he decided to travel to the newly founded United States of America. He had learned English by working in a factory with English-speaking workers. His area was overflowing with priests so he was rejected numerous times by the Bishops for priesthood. He then sought the Bishop in New York who agreed to ordain him. He left for America knowing he’d have to leave his home forever.

In New York, he was 1 of 36 priests for 200,000 Catholics. His parish stretched from Lake Ontario to Pennsylvania, a region of about a 1,000 square miles. He spent most of his time traveling from town-to-town, visiting the sick, staying in garrets and taverns to teach, and celebrating Mass at kitchen tables. His humble, warm, and thoughtful personality made an impression on many.

His journeys were lonesome, and he longed for community, so he joined the Redemptorists, a group of priests and brothers dedicated to help the poor and abandoned. He became the 1st General Superior of the order’s 10 foundations in America.

He was appointed Bishop of Philadelphia by Pope Pius IX in 1852, and was the 1st to organize a diocesan Catholic school system and increased the number of schools from 2 to 100. He continued to travel constantly to visit his congregation. He never lost his love and concern for the people which bothered some of the elite of Philadelphia. He had learned to speak French, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch so that he could hear confession with the immigrant population.

He died suddenly of a heart attack on a Philadelphia street on January 5, 1860 at the age of 48. He was beatified during the 2nd Vatican Council in 1963 and was canonized in 1977.

He is the patron of sick children and immigrants.

“As Christ has His work, we too have ours. As He rejoiced to do His work, we must rejoice in ours also.”

He is the patron saint of educators and teachers.

His feast day is January 5.

For God’s Glory.

https://stjohnneumann.org/who-are-the-redemptorists/

1st Saint to be photographed, Philadelphia 1860.