Saint Jean Neumann
Évêque de Philadelphie, Pennsylvanie, U.S.A., il naquit à Prachatitz, en Bohème, le 28 mars 1811. Il était le fils de Philip Neumann et de Agnès Lebis. Il fit ses études à Budweis et entra au séminaire là-même, en 1831.
Deux ans plus tard, il alla à l'Université Charles-Ferdinand à Prague. Il y étudia la théologie.
Il attendait avec impatience son ordination pour 1835. L'évêque décida qu'il n'y aurait plus d'ordinations pour le moment. Une chose impensable aujourd'hui. En effet, la Bohème avait une surabondance de prêtres. Alors Jean écrivit aux évêques d'Europe, mais la même situation se répétait partout et personne ne voulait plus de prêtres. Certain de sa vocation à la prêtrise, Jean se retrouvait devant des portes fermées.
Il ne lâcha pas, cependant. Comme il avait appris la langue anglaise à l'usine avec ses compagnons de travail, il décida d'écrire aux évêques d'Amérique. Finalement, l'Évêque de New York accepta de l'ordonner prêtre. Afin de répondre à l'appel de Dieu, il dut se résigner à quitter pour toujours sa famille, traverser l'océan, s'en aller vers un pays nouveau et une terre austère.
A New York, Jean se retrouva parmi les 36 prêtres qui assuraient le ministère auprès de 200,000 catholiques. Sa paroisse, dans la partie ouest de l'État de New York allait du lac Ontario jusqu'à la Pennsylvanie. Son église n'avait ni clocher ni parquet. Mais cela ne le préoccupait pas; en effet, il passait la majeure partie de son temps à voyager d'un village à l'autre, escaladant les montagnes pour visiter les malades; il s'arrêtait dans des mansardes ou des tavernes où il enseignait et célébrait la messe sur des tables de cuisine.
Il entra chez les Rédemptoristes poussé par son désir de vivre en communauté. Le travail de sa paroisse l'obligeait à vivre dans l'isolement. Pour lui, les Rédemptoristes étaient une congrégation de prêtres et de frères consacrés à venir en aide aux pauvres et aux plus abandonnés.
Il fut le premier prêtre à se joindre à la Congrégation en Amérique. Il prononça ses vœux le 16 janvier 1842 à Baltimore.
Dès le début, sa sainteté évidente, son zèle et son amabilité, le firent remarquer de ses confrères religieux.
Il connaissait six langues modernes, ce qui le fit apprécier énormément de cette société américaine multiculturelle du 19e siècle.
A la suite de son apostolat à Baltimore et à Pittsburgh, en 1847, on le nomma Visiteur ou Supérieur Majeur des Rédemptoristes des États-Unis.
Le Père Frédéric de Held, supérieur de la Province de Belgique, Province à laquelle étaient rattachés les monastères rédemptoristes américains, a dit de lui: "C'est un grand homme qui réunit la piété à une personnalité forte et prudente. Ces qualités lui furent bien nécessaires pendant les deux années où il remplit cette fonction. En effet, les fondations américaines traversaient une période d'ajustement éprouvante.
Lorsque sa charge passa à son successeur, le Père Bernard Hafkenscheid, les Rédemptoristes des Etats-Unis étaient beaucoup mieux préparés à devenir une Province autonome. Ils furent érigés en Province en 1850.
Le Père Jean Neumann fut nommé évêque de Philadelphie. Sa consécration eut lieu à Baltimore, le 28 mars 1852. Son diocèse était immense et passait à travers une phase de développement considérable.
Une fois évêque, il fut le premier à mettre en place un réseau diocésain d'écoles catholiques. Le nombre de ces écoles passa, pendant son épiscopat, de deux à cent.
Il fonda les Sœurs du Tiers-Ordre de Saint-François pour enseigner dans les écoles.
Parmi les églises qu'il construisit pendant ce temps - plus de quatre-vingt - il faut mentionner la cathédrale de Saint Pierre et Saint Paul dont il commença la construction.
Saint Jean Neumann était de petite taille et de faible santé. Dans sa courte vie, cependant, il accomplit beaucoup de choses. Il trouva même le temps de s'adonner à une activité littéraire considérable en plus de ses devoirs pastoraux.
Il publia de nombreux articles dans les journaux catholiques ainsi que dans des périodiques. Il publia deux catéchismes et, en 1849, une histoire de la Bible pour les écoles.
Son activité continua jusqu'à la fin de sa vie.
Le 5 janvier 1860, à l'âge de 48 ans, il s'affaissa dans la rue, dans sa ville épiscopale, et mourut avant de pouvoir recevoir le sacrement des malades.
Il fut béatifié par le Pape Paul VI, le 13 octobre 1963, et canonisé le 19 juin 1977.
Saint Jean Népomucène Neumann
Évêque de Philadelphie (✝ 1860)
Saint Jean Népomucène Neumann naquit en Bohème d'une mère tchèque et d'un père bavarois. Bilingue dès le berceau, il apprendra le français, l'anglais, l'italien, l'espagnol, le grec moderne, le gaélique, dans sa passion d'annoncer l'Évangile à tous les européens émigrés en Amérique. Ses études terminées, il s'arrache à sa famille et, malgré son évêque, le jeune séminariste se retrouve à New York où il est ordonné prêtre. Il entre dans la congrégation des Rédemptoristes fondée par saint Alphonse de Liguori. Curé à Baltimore, il est nommé évêque de Philadelphie en 1852. Il se dépense jusqu'à en mourir, bâtissant quatre-vingt églises, des orphelinats et une centaine d'écoles en huit ans d'épiscopat. Il tombe mort dans la rue. Il avait 48 ans. Ce tchèque, apôtre des émigrés d'Europe Centrale aux États-Unis, est le premier Américain du Nord à avoir été canonisé.
(béatifié en 1963 par Paul VI, canonisé en 1977)
À Philadelphie en Pennsylvanie, l’an 1860, saint Jean Népomucène Neumann, évêque, de la Congrégation du Très Saint Rédempteur, qui vint en aide aux immigrants pauvres par son action, ses conseils et sa charité, et s’appliqua à promouvoir la formation chrétienne des enfants.
Dans sa mort subite, Dieu l'a surpris, veillant à son ouvrage. Il fut par excellence le pasteur vigilant. Il veillait sur ses prêtres, les instruisant par son exemple plus encore que par sa parole. Il veillait sur les fidèles comme le bon berger qui donne chaque instant de sa vie pour son troupeau.
Homélie de ses funérailles, janvier 1860
Saint Jean-Népomucène Neumann (1811-1860)
Jean Neumann
naît en Bohême dans le petit village de Prachatitz, le 28 mars 1811. Il
entreprend ses études théologiques. Il voulait devenir prêtre, mais on en
comptait trop dans sa Bohême natale. Il émigre donc aux États-Unis. C’est à
New-York qu’il est ordonné prêtre le 25 juin 1836. Il remplit son ministère
auprès des immigrants d’Europe et des pauvres, dans les régions de Buffalo et
de Niagara. Il est reçu chez les Rédemptoristes en 1840. Il sera le premier
Rédemptoriste à prononcer ses vœux en Amérique en 1842. Il reprend alors son
travail de missionnaire.
Après avoir
exercé des fonctions importantes dans la Congrégation, il est nommé évêque de
Philadelphie en 1852. Malgré sa tâche épiscopale, il trouvera le temps d’écrire
un catéchisme, de fonder une communauté religieuse et d’établir 80 nouvelles
paroisses. Il deviendra bâtisseur d’églises et d’écoles catholiques.
Épuisé, il meurt
le 5 janvier 1860. Ce Rédemptoriste évêque sera canonisé en 1977. Il est
reconnu comme le grand fondateur des écoles catholiques aux États-Unis.
« J’offrirai
sans cesse mes services aux autres et je me comporterai avec eux comme si
c’était le Christ que je rencontrais. »
(Saint Jean-Neumann)
Jean
Népomucène Neumann*, fils d' un artisan bavarois, naquit en 1811, en Bohême
- qui appartenait à l' Autriche - dans une famille germanophone. Il fit ses
études à Budweis, en Bohême. Il était entré au séminaire de Prague ; mais
à 24 ans il ne put être ordonné. Ses supérieurs en accord avec l' évêque de
Prague lui conseillèrent de partir évangéliser le Nord des Etats-Unis.
Séminariste doué, il parlait six langues, en plus du grec et du latin !
Il s' embarqua en 1836 et arriva en juin à New York, où il fut chaleureusement
accueilli par Mgr Dubois qui n' avait que 36 prêtres pour l' Etat de New York
et du New Jersey, dont seulement trois parlaient allemand.
Il fut ordonné peu de temps après et il s' installa dans la région des chutes
du Niagara et à Williamsville, dans une zone où se trouvait un grand
nombre d' émigrés germanophones. Il parcourait les villages, comme l' Apôtre
des Gentils saint Paul, dans une grande pauvreté de moyens. Mais finalement au
fil des années, il réussit à faire construire des églises, des écoles
catholiques, et à fonder des oeuvres charitables. En 1838, il fit venir son
jeune frère Wenceslas** pour l' aider à instruire et catéchiser les enfants de
North Bush. Les deux frères vivaient dans une cabane de bois.
Il avait remarqué l' oeuvre insigne des Rédemptoristes, dont la Congrégation
avait été fondée par saint Alphonse de Liguori un siècle
auparavant, auprès des immigrés germanophones et sollicita en
1840 son admission chez eux à Pittsburgh.
En 1842, il devint Rédemptoriste à Baltimore ( première profession
rédemptoriste aux Etats-Unis ). Il fut nommé à Pittsburgh en 1844, dont il
fit construire l' église Sainte-Philomène. Il fut ensuite nommé Provincial des
Rédemptoristes des Etats-Unis, pendant deux ans, et eut fort à faire pour
créer de nouvelles paroisses germanophones. Il fut curé de la nouvelle paroisse
rédemptoriste Saint-Alphonse-de-Liguori à Baltimore et y fut remarqué par l'
évêque Mgr Kenrick. Il redonna vie à une Congrégation de Soeurs Noires, les
Oblates de la Providence, qui scolarisaient et évangélisaient les Noirs.
Il fut naturalisé américain en 1848 à l' âge de 37 ans, renonçant à être sujet
de l' empereur François-Joseph.
En 1852, Mgr Kenrick le consacra évêque de Philadelphie en l' église
Saint-Alphonse de Baltimore. Ce fut un excellent choix spirituel. Il lui fut
adjoint en 1857 Mgr Wood ( ancien banquier ), comme évêque coadjuteur, car il
n' avait pas de don d' administrateur.
Mgr Neumann fit tout pour éviter le conflit avec l' ambitieux Mgr Wood. Il
lui confia la ville et se chargea de la périphérie et des petites villes,
souvent germanophones, de Pennsylvanie.
Ancienne cathédrale Sainte-Marie de Philadelphie
En 1854, il fit un pélerinage à Rome - où il demeurait chez les Rédemptoristes
- pour la proclamation de l' Immaculée Conception et rendit visite en Bohême à
sa famille, son père ses soeurs, en particulier sa soeur Johana, supérieure d'
un couvent. Il reçut un accueil triomphal dans son village natal.
Il fit démarrer les travaux de la nouvelle cathédrale
Saints-Pierre-et-Paul de Philadelphie et s' occupa d' oeuvres pour
la jeunesse. Ainsi, il fut le permier évêque américain à organiser un système
d' éducation catholique diocésain. D' une seule école catholique en 1852,
il en existera 200 à la fin de sa vie, huit ans après ! Il en fera
personnellement construire plus de 90...
Il fit venir les Soeurs de Notre-Dame, de Munich, pour ouvrir des
orphelinats et d' autres Soeurs d' Europe. Il introduisit dans le diocèse les
Bénédictins et les Franciscains Conventuels.
Il fut à l' origine de la fondation des Soeurs du Tiers Ordre de Saint François
de Glen Riddle, pour le soin des malades et l' éducation. La première
Supérieure fut Marie-Anne Bachmann.
Il créa la première paroisse italienne (il parlait italien ) et apprit le
gaëlique pour confesser les immigrants irlandais.
En plus de nombreux articles, il écrivit un célèbre catéchisme qui eut plus de
vingt éditions aux Etats-Unis. C' était un évêque à la doctrine sûre, comme
notre époque n' en connaît hélas qu' insuffisamment. C' est pour cela qu' il
fut particulièrement critiqué, notamment par des groupes politiques ( les know
nothings ) qui voulaient faire des Catholiques des citoyens de seconde zone; et
qui pour se faire connaître brûlèrent des couvents et des écoles catholiques.
Il mourut dans la fleur de sa maturité, le 5 janvier 1860, à Philadelphie,
alors qu' il marchait dans la rue.
Il fut déclaré vénérable en 1921par Benoît XV, et canonisé en 1977 par
Paul VI. Ce fut le premier citoyen américain à être canonisé.
Le corps de saint Jean Népomucène Neumann repose à la crypte de l' église
Saint-Pierre Apôtre de Philadelphie, tenue par les Rédemptoristes.
* Johannes Nepomuk Neumann, en allemand.
** Il deviendra Frère Rédemptoriste en 1840.
SOURCE : http://ut-pupillam-oculi.over-blog.com/article-15328055.html
John Nepomucene Neumann B (RM)
Born in Prachititz, Bohemia (now Czech Republic), March 28, 1811; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, on January 5, 1860; beatified 1963; canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul IV, the first American male saint. John was the third of six children of a German father, Philip, and Czech mother, Agnes. His parents owned a small stocking factory. John was named after a 14th-century Bohemian martyr, John Nepomucene.
Saint John Nepomucene
Neumann
CANONIZATION
OF JOHN NEPOMUCENE NEUMANN
HOMILY OF PAUL VI
Sunday,
19 June 1977
Greetings
to you, Brethren, and sons and daughters of the United States of America! We
welcome you in the name of the Lord!
The
entire Catholic Church, here, at the tomb of the Apostle Peter, welcomes
you with festive joy. And together with you, the entire Catholic Church sings a
hymn of heavenly victory to Saint John Nepomucene Neumann, who receives the
honor of one who lives in the glory of Christ.
In a few
brief words we shall describe for the other pilgrims some details of his life,
which are already known to you.
Sia
gloria al Signore che concede a noi la gioia di potere dichiarare Santo il
Vescovo di Filadelfia, negli Stati Uniti d’America, Giovanni Nepomuceno
Neumann, già da noi insignito del titolo di Beato il 13 ottobre 1963. Sia onore
alla Chiesa Cattolica Statunitense che inserisce nell’albo dei Santi il suo
primo campione! Richiamiamo qualche dato biografico. Giovanni Nepomuceno
Neumann era un immigrato europeo oriundo della Boemia, nato a Prachatitz, il 28
marzo 1811, educato nel Seminario di Budéjovice, che apparteneva allora
all’Impero Austro-Ungarico, e poi a Praga, dove completò gli studi teologici.
Essendogli stata differita l’ordinazione per l’eccessivo numero di alunni
avviati al Sacerdozio, il giovane Neumann si recò a Strasburgo associandosi ad
un progetto di missioni per l’America, vagò a Parigi, poi a Le Havre, donde
partì, povero e solo per New York. Qui il Vescovo di allora, Monsignor Dubois, lo
ordinò Sacerdote, il 25 giugno del 1836. Qui, nella regione delle cascate del
Niagara, a Williamsville, poi a North Bush, rimase quattro anni, tutto dedicato
al ministero sacerdotale per i boscaioli. Il desiderio di perfezione e di vita
comunitaria lo portò ad entrare tra i Redentoristi d’origine italiana, sempre
dedicando di preferenza il suo ministero agli emigranti di lingua tedesca,
dapprima a Baltimora, ove emise i voti religiosi, poi a Pittsburgh, ove fu
chiamato a reggere la Casa, che i Redentoristi vi avevano aperto. Per tre anni
Pittsburgh fu la sua residenza, con impegni molteplici. Tornato a Baltimora, vi
esercitò il ministero parrocchiale nella chiesa di Sant’Alfonso, quale primo
parroco redentorista di America, sempre primo al lavoro e al sacrificio, sempre
ultimo al riposo, sempre modello di regolare osservanza religiosa.
Qui dovette accettare, nel 1852,
la nomina alla sede vescovile di Filadelfia. Le nuove responsabilità
raddoppiarono il suo zelo pastorale. Superando difficoltà d’ogni genere riuscì
a fondare circa cento scuole cattoliche, instancabile nelle visite pastorali, a
contatto col popolo povero e laborioso. Fondò a Filadelfia la prima Parrocchia
Italiana, dedicata alla Santa Fiorentina Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi, ed avviò la
costruzione della monumentale Chiesa Cattedrale. Fu in Italia, nel 1854 per la
proclamazione del dogma dell’Immacolata, e fece visita al suo Paese d’origine.
Scrisse varie opere, tra cui un celebre Catechismo, molte volte ripubblicato. Mori,
stroncato da un improvviso malore the lo colse per strada il 5 gennaio 1860;
non aveva ancora 49 anni. E sepolto nella Chiesa di S. Pietro a Filadelfia. Ed
ora egli vive nella comunione dei Santi, nella gloria di Cristo.
We ask
ourselves today: what is the meaning of this extraordinary event, the meaning
of this canonization? It is the celebration of holiness. And what is holiness?
It is human perfection, human love raised up to its highest level in Christ, in
God.
At the
time of John Neumann, America represented new values and new hopes. Bishop
Neumann saw these in their relationship to the ultimate, supreme possession to
which humanity is destined. With Saint Paul he could testify that “all are
yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (1 Cor. 3, 22). And
with Augustine he knew that our hearts are restless, until they rest in the
Lord (S. AUGUSTINI Confessiones, 1, 1).
His love
for people was authentic brotherly love. It was real charity: missionary and
pastoral charity. It meant that he gave himself to others. Like Jesus the Good
Shepherd, he lay down his life for the sheep, for Christ’s flock: to provide
for their needs, to lead them to salvation. And today, with the Evangelist, we
solemnly proclaim : “There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life
for one’s friends” (Io. 15, 13).
John
Neumann’s pastoral zeal was manifested in many ways. Through faithful and
persevering service, he brought to completion the generosity of his initial act
of missionary dedication. He helped children to satisfy their need for truth,
their need for Christian doctrine, for the teaching of Jesus in their lives. He
did this both by catechetical instruction and by promoting, with relentless
energy, the Catholic school system in the United States. And we still remember
the words of our late Apostolic Delegate in Washington, the beloved Cardinal
Amleto Cicognani: “You Americans”, he said, “possess two great treasures: the
Catholic school and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Guard them like
the apple of your eye” (Cfr. Epistola 2 iunii 1963).
And who
can fail to admire all the loving concern that John Neumann showed for God’s
people, through his priestly ministry and his pastoral visitations as a Bishop?
He deeply loved the Sacramental of Reconciliation: and like a worthy son of
Saint Alphonsus he transmitted the pardon and the healing power of the Redeemer
into the lives of innumerable sons and daughters of the Church. He was close to
the sick; he was at home with the poor; he was a friend to sinners. And today
he is the honor of all immigrants, and from the viewpoint of the Beatitudes the
symbol of Christian success.
John
Neumann bore the image of Christ. He experienced, in his innermost being, the
need to proclaim by word and example the wisdom and power of God, and to preach
the crucified Christ. And in the Passion of the Lord he found strength and the
inspiration of his ministry: Passio Christi conforta me!
The
Eucharistic Sacrifice was the center of his life, and constituted for him what
the Second Vatican Council would later call “the source and summit of all
evangelization” (Presbiterorum
Ordinis, 5). With great effectiveness,
through the Forty Hours Devotion he helped his parishes become communities of
faith and service.
But to
accomplish his task, love was necessary. And love meant giving; love meant
effort; love meant sacrifice. And in his sacrifice, Bishop Neumann’s service
was complete. He led his people along the paths of holiness. He was indeed an
effective witness, in his generation, to God’s love for his Church and the
world.
There are
many who have lived and are still living the divine command of generous love.
For love still means giving oneself for others, because Love has come down to
humanity; and from humanity love goes back to its divine source! How many men
and women make this plan of God the program of their lives! Our praise goes to
the clergy, religious and Catholic laity of America who, in following the
Gospel, live according to this plan of sacrifice and service. Saint John
Neumann is a true example for all of us in this regard. It is not enough to
acquire the good things of the earth, for these can even be dangerous, if they
stop or impede our love from rising to its source and reaching its goal. Let us
always remember that the greatest and the first commandment is this: “You shall
love the Lord your God” (Matth. 22, 36).
True
humanism in Christianity. True Christianity-we repeatis the sacrifice of self
for others, because of Christ, because of God. It is shown by signs; it is
manifested in deeds. Christianity is sensitive to the suffering and oppression
and sorrow of others, to poverty, to all human needs, the first of which is
truth.
Our
ceremony today is indeed the celebration of holiness. At the same time, it is a
prophetic anticipation-for the Church, for the United States, for the world-of
a renewal in love: love for God, love for neighbor.
And in
this vital charity, beloved sons and daughters, let us go forward together, to
build up a real civilization of love.
Saint
John Neumann, by the living power of your example and by the intercession of
your prayers, help us today and for ever.
Einen besonders
herzlichen Willkommensgruß richten Wir bei dieser denkwürdigen Feier such an
die anwesenden Gläubigen aus dem Geburtsland des neuen Heiligen Johannes
Nepomuk Neumann.
Sein
Wahlspruch »Passio Christi conforta me« - »Leiden Christi stärke mich« - offenbart
uns das Geheimnis seines Lebens und die unversiegbare Kraftquelle seines so
fruchtbaren und heiligmäßigen Wirkens.
Möge der
heilige Missionar und Bischof Johannes Nepomuk Neumann gerade such Ihnen,
seinen Landsleuten, in Prüfung und Not fortan mächtiger Fürsprecher und
sicherer Führer zur ewigen Heimat sein
©
Copyright - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
John Nepomucene Neumann B (RM)
Born in Prachititz, Bohemia (now Czech Republic), March 28, 1811; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, on January 5, 1860; beatified 1963; canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul IV, the first American male saint. John was the third of six children of a German father, Philip, and Czech mother, Agnes. His parents owned a small stocking factory. John was named after a 14th-century Bohemian martyr, John Nepomucene.
As a young boy he
showed great intellect as well as a religious vocation. He was educated in
Budweis (original home of that now famous American beer/swill) and began at the
diocesan seminary there in 1831. John was especially interested in botany and
astronomy, in addition to theology and Scripture. Two years later he continued
his study of theology at the Charles Ferdinand University in Prague. Because of
the overabundance of clergy, the Austrian government delayed his ordination, so
he decided to go to America as a missionary.
He arrived in
Manhattan (New York) in June 1836, and was warmly welcomed by Bishop John
DuBois of New York, even though he was unannounced. On June 28, 1836, John was
ordained by Bishop James, who sent him to engage in pastoral work among
German-speaking Catholics, who were clearing forests in the district of Niagara
(upstate New York).
Four years of
constant and isolated labor left him with a knowledge of his own need for
support and an appreciation of the value of community activity in missionary
work. Therefore, he entered the novitiate of the newly-established branch of
the Redemptorists at Saint Philomena's in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1840.
When he made his vows in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1841, he became the first
Redemptorist to take his vows in the United States.
He continued his
missionary activities as a mission preacher in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
and Virginia. He became rector of Saint Philomena's in 1844. In 1847, John was
named vice regent and superior of the American Redemptorists, while he was a
parish priest in Baltimore. Most of his parish work involved the establishment
of parochial schools. Because of his outstanding pastoral work, John was
appointed the fourth bishop of Philadelphia in 1852 by Pope Pius IX--a diocese
that had not accepted him when he first came to America.
During his
episcopate he followed the full spirit of the Redemptorist founder, Saint
Alphonsus Liguori, by making especially his own the care of the materially and
spiritually impoverished. Much of his time was spent in visiting the remote and
hitherto neglected areas of his diocese. Diminutive in stature and lacking in
'charisma,' John Neumann devoted time to encouraging others, especially nuns
and other laypeople, to lives of hidden sanctity.
He reorganized the
diocese, inaugurating a widespread program of new parish building (100 additional
churches) and expanding the parochial school system with 80 new schools. The
population of his schools increased 20-fold after he attracted a number of
teaching orders to staff them. He founded the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who
observe the rule of the 'active' Franciscan Third Order, for religious teaching
and to staff his orphanage. He also introduced the devotion of Forty Hours and
began work on a cathedral.
He made his ad
limina visits to Rome and was there in 1854 at the formal declaration of the
doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (American
bishops in council at Baltimore had already chosen Mary under this title as
patroness of the United States).
He wrote much
during this time--including articles for newspapers-- and produced two
catechisms that were very popular in the United States in the 19th century. The
catechisms were endorsed by the American bishops at their first Plenary Council
in 1852. He continued to compose his most important works in German, although
he was fluent in seven other languages.
At the time of his
sudden death in 1860 on Vine Street in Philadelphia, he was worn out by his
labors. Already he was renowned for his holiness, charity, pastoral work, and
preaching. Popular devotion preceded the official investigation and approval of
his cultus. After over 100 years, with the continued support of both his
diocese and the Redemptorists, he was canonized (Attwater, Benedictines,
Delaney, Farmer, Walsh, White).
Saint John Nepomucene
Neumann
Also known as
- Giovanni Nepomuceno Neumann
- Jan Nepomucký Neumann
Profile
Son of Philip, who
was German and owned a stocking factory, and Agnes Neumann who was Czech. John was a small and quiet boy with four sisters and a brother, and was named after Saint
John Nepomucene. An excellent student, John early felt drawn to religious life. Seminarian at Budweis, Bohemia in 1813, he studied astronomy and botany in addition to theological topics. Studied theology at Charles Ferdinand University at Prague in 1833.
When time came for
John’s ordination, his bishop was sick; the ordination was never re-scheduled as Bohemia had an over-abundance of priests. John decided to go to America to ask for ordination, and to work with emigres. He walked most of the way to France, then took ship for America.
John arrived
unannounced in Manhattan in 1836. Bishop John Dubois was happy to see him as there were 36 priests for the 200,000 Catholics in New York and New Jersey. John was ordained on 28
June 1836, and sent to Buffalo. There the parish
priest, Father Pax, gave him the choice of the city of Buffalo or of the
rural area; John chose the more difficult country area. He stayed in a small
town with an unfinished church, and when it was completed, he moved to a town
with a log church. There he built himself a small log cabin, rarely lit a fire,
slept little, often lived on bread and water, and walked miles to visit farm after remote farm. John’s parishioners were from many lands and tongues, but John
knew twelve languages, and worked with them all.
He joined the Redemptorists at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1840, taking his vows at Baltimore, Maryland in 1841, the first Redemptorist to do so in the United States. Home missioner in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Rector of Saint
Philomena church in Pittsburgh in 1844. Vice-regent and superior of the Redemptorists in America in 1847. Bishop of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1852.
Bishop John built fifty churches and began building a cathedral. He opened almost one hundred schools, and the number of parochial school students in his diocese grew from 500 to 9,000. He wrote newspaper articles, two catechisms, and many works in German. First American man and first American bishop to be canonized.
Born
- 28 March 1811 at Prachititz, Bohemia (Czech Republic)
- 5 January 1860 of a stroke at 13th and Vine Streets, Bishop of Philadephia, Pennsylvania, USA
- 11 December 1921 by Pope Benedict XV (decree on heroic virtues)
St. John Nepomucene Neumann
(1811-1860)
A Fascinating Life
The Bishop of Philadelphia lay crumpled in the snow a few blocks from his new
cathedral on Logan Square. By the time a priest reached him with the holy oils,
Bishop Neumann was dead. That was January 5, 1860. At his own request Bishop
Neumann was buried in a basement crypt in Saint Peter's Church where he would
be with his Redemptorist confreres.
Pilgrimages to Bishop's Tomb
Almost immediately devout souls were drawn to his grave. They came from far and
near. More than a few were claiming extraordinary miracles of grace. It
was as though John Neumann, now dead, continued his works of mercy among his
people. For decades this unsolicited devotion continued. Finally after many
years and many incontrovertible miracles worked through the intercession of this
holy man, his Cause was introduced in Rome. In 1921 Pope Benedict XV saw fit to
have John Neumann declared "Venerable". The procession of the
faithful continued and in 1963 Pope Paul VI declared him "Blessed"
John Neumann. The crowds of pilgrims prompted the building of the lower church.
His remains, remarkably well preserved after a century of interment, were
exhumed and placed in a glass encasement beneath the altar in the lower church.
Bus loads of pilgrims came from different parishes throughout the year to pray
to Saint John. Finally the long expected happened in Rome on 1977. Pope Paul VI
declared John Neumann a Saint in heaven.
Now pilgrims came from all over the world. From his native Bohemia, from
Germany and Holland they came to claim allegiance to one of their own. Pope
John Paul II made it a point to visit the Shrine when he came to Philadelphia
to attend the Eucharistic Congress. Yes, the City of Brotherly Love was
bursting with joy. The diocesan seminarians from St. Charles, Overbrook, have
made annual pilgrimages to his tomb. The various Irish Societies of
Philadelphia have made formal pilgrimages to the tomb of this humble man of God
who, as bishop, did so much for their immigrant forebears in the 1850's -- this
"foreigner" who went to the trouble of studying enough Irish to be
able to hear the confessions of those who "had no English," up in the
coal regions of nineteenth century Pennsylvania.
Those of Italian extraction remember Bishop Neumann as the founder of the first
national parish for Italians in the United States. At a time when there was no
priest to speak their language, no one to care for them, Bishop Neumann, who
had studied Italian as a seminarian in Bohemia, gathered them together in his
private chapel and preached to them in their mother tongue. In 1855 he
Purchased a Methodist Church in South Philadelphia, dedicated it to St. Mary
Magdalene de Pazzi, and gave them one of his seminary professors, Father John
Tornatore, C.M., to be their pastor.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ESTABLISHED
Bishop Neumann lays several claims to fame in Philadelphia and the United
States. Ever a humble and self-effacing person, he would be the last one to
mention it himself, but the records stand. It was he who organized the first
diocesan schedule of the Forty Hours' Devotion in America. The credit is
likewise his of establishing the first system of parochial schools in various
parts of the country when Neumann came to Philadelphia -- but the first unified
system of Catholic schools under a diocesan board. This he did in may of 1852,
a fortnight before the Plenary Council at Baltimore which seconded his
proposals.
FOUNDER OF SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
He may also lay claim to being founder of a religious order for women, the
Third Order of St. Francis of Glen Riddle, whose Rule he drafted in 1855 after
returning from Rome for the solemn promulgation of the dogma of the Immaculate
Conception.
The School Sisters of Notre Dame likewise regard Bishop Neumann as their
secondary founder, their "father in America." In 1847, Father John
Neumann, superior of the Redemptorist Order at the time, welcomed the first
band of these teaching sisters from Munich. He found them a home in Baltimore
and then provided them with teaching assignments in his Order's parish schools
at Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New York, Buffalo and Philadelphia.
A REDEMPTORIST
Bishop Neumann, as a young priest, was the first to make his religious
profession as a Redemptorist in the New World. This he did in 1842 in the
Church of St. James in Baltimore. Before his elevation to the See of
Philadelphia at the age of 41, he had served as rector of St. Philomena's,
Pittsburgh, and St. Alphonsus, Baltimore, as well as vice-provincial of this
missionary order in America.
Recent research in the files of the State Department show that Bishop Neumann
became a naturalized citizen of the United States at Baltimore on February 10,
1848, renouncing allegiance to the Emperor of Austria in whose realm he was
born on March 28, 1811. On his 41st birthday, he was consecrated bishop of
Philadelphia by Archbishop Francis Kenrick at St. Alphonsus Church in
Baltimore, in 1852.
A DIOCESAN PRIEST
Before joining the Redemptorists John N. Neumann labored as a diocesan priest
in Western New York. He was ordained in June of 1836 by Bishop John Dubois at
old St. Patrick's Cathedral on Mott Street, New York City. The following week
he was pastor of the whole Niagara Frontier, some hundred square miles of
swampy primeval forest. Many German immigrants had settled this sector of the
diocese and were in danger of losing the Faith. It was for this reason that
Father Neumann was sent there. He built churches, raised log schools where
possible and even taught the three R's himself to the German and Irish children.
"Among the shepherds of the flock in Philadelphia," wrote the late
Pope Pius XII, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the
diocese, "the figure of Venerable John Neumann is pre-eminent. It was
mainly through his prodigious efforts that a Catholic school system came into
being and that parochial schools began to rise across the land. His holy life,
his childlike gentleness, his hard labor and his tremendous foresight is still
fresh and green among you. The tree planted and watered by Bishop Neumann now
gives you its fruit." James J. Galvin C.Ss.R.
THE IMMIGRANT SHEPHERD
It was fitting indeed that Bishop Neumann was beatified during the Second
Vatican Council. In a personal letter to each bishop of the world, before the
opening of the Council, the Holy Father asked each bishop to aim at achieving
the heights of personal sanctity in order to assure its success. He reminded
them of their first and highest mission of carrying on a constant policy of
instruction and of pastoral visitation so that they can say: "I know my sheep,
each and every one," and that one of the great blessings that can come to
a diocese is a bishop who sanctifies, who keeps watch and who sacrifices
himself. All these qualities are pre-eminent in the life and holiness of Bishop
Neumann, the shepherd declared Blessed during this council.
PRAYER FOR HIS INTERCESSION
O Saint John Neumann, your ardent desire of bringing all souls
to Christ impelled you to leave home and country; teach us to live worthily in
the spirit of our Baptism which makes us all children of the one Heavenly
Father and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, the first-born of the family
of God.
Obtain for us that complete dedication in the service of the
needy, the weak, the afflicted and the abandoned which so characterized your
life. Help us to walk perseveringly in the difficult and, at times, painful
paths of duty, strengthened by the Body and Blood of our Redeemer and under the
watchful protection of Mary our Mother.
May death still find us on the sure road to our Father's House with
the light of living Faith in our hearts. Amen.
Saint
John Neumann
As
a boy, John Neumann lived in Bohemia, which is now part of Czech Republic. He
studied hard, for he wanted to be a missionary priest in America. By the time
he was twenty-four, he had learned six languages and had completed his studies
for the priesthood. He was not ordained, however, because his bishop thought
there were enough priests in his country. So John Neumann decided to leave for
America, hoping to be ordained there. He said goodbye to his parents and
brother and sailed for the United States. When he arrived, he had one suit of
clothes and one dollar in his pocket. Three weeks later, the bishop of New York
ordained him.
Father John's first work was with the German-speaking people in mission
parishes near Buffalo, New York. He was not considered very handsome, and some
people disliked him and his ways. Priests at that time traveled on horseback
and went long distances to care for people in neighboring towns and villages.
People laughed at the clumsy way Father John rode. Because he was short, his feet
did not reach the stirrups. Children made fun of him. John remained silent,
however, and continued going about teaching religion, visiting the sick, and
training teachers.
Father John felt the need for community life, so he entered the Redemptorist Order.
He was the first Redemptorist to make vows in the United States. He became the
superior of the American branch of the order. When Father John was forty-one
years old, he became the fourth bishop of Philadelphia. Still, some people did
not welcome him. They did not care for his accent and his plain style. Besides
these people, John had to deal with an anti-Catholic group that was burning
convents and schools. Because John felt he wasn't capable of doing his job, he
asked for a smaller diocese, but he was told to stay.
John started Catholic schools in his diocese, for he believed it was very
important for children to be educated and taught the ways of Jesus. In eight
years Philadelphia's two Catholic schools grew to one hundred schools. John
brought many teaching orders to his diocese. He published two catechisms and
many articles.
Bishop John Neumann died of a heart attack while he was walking down the street.
Throughout his life, John Neumann went about his work quietly and humbly. No
special honors were given him. He was even unpopular. Only after his death did
people begin to talk about their humble, good bishop who worked so hard for
God.
SOURCE : http://www.loyolapress.com/saint-john-neumann.htm
Monsignor John Dubois, allora vescovo di New York, lo ordina sacerdote e lo manda nel nord dello Stato, dove ci sono molti immigrati di origine tedesca. Giovanni si installa nella cittadina di Williamsville, e una casetta diventa il suo campo-base. Di lì parte per visitare i villaggi sparsi: incontri, conoscenze, amicizie; qualche volta anche scontri e avversioni, più una scoraggiante povertà di mezzi. Ma così egli si sente realizzato, vivendo alla maniera descritta da Paolo apostolo nella seconda lettera ai cristiani di Corinto: «Viaggi innumerevoli...pericoli nelle città, pericoli nelle solitudini deserte..., nella fatica e nell’avversità, nella fame e nella sete». Una vita, però, che con il tempo dà i suoi frutti: le prime chiese qua e là, e con esse via via le scuole, i collegi per ragazzi soli, le opere della promozione sociale.
Nel 1842, Giovanni Neumann entra a far parte, con i voti pronunciati a Baltimora, dei Redentoristi, la congregazione fondata da sant’Alfonso de’ Liguori. Nel 1852 viene nominato vescovo di Filadelfia. E questa è una felicissima scelta di papa Pio IX: sarebbe difficile trovare chi meglio di lui sappia guidare i sacerdoti con l’esempio personale. Ma non ha doti di amministratore, e perciò gli viene affiancato un coadiutore, monsignor Giacomo Federico Wood, davvero esperto in questo campo, ma anche uomo di qualche ambizione. Wood aiuta il vescovo, ma è anche un po’ smanioso di sostituirlo. C’è tutto quello che occorre per creare un conflitto, ma la reazione di monsignor Neumann è serenamente evangelica: affida a questo collaboratore la parte centrale della città, e riserva a sé il lavoro in periferia, nei piccoli centri e nelle case sparse della Pennsylvania.
Giovanni Neumann è uomo di dottrina, e scrive un catechismo che avrà 21 edizioni, ma resta soprattutto un uomo di Dio in cammino verso gli altri uomini. E così muore: in cammino. Un malore improvviso, infatti, lo schianta in una via di Filadelfia. «Celebrate le esequie, la fama della sua santità cominciò a diffondersi [...]. Dio infatti comprovava questa fama con i miracoli». Così ha detto di lui Paolo VI, il Pontefice che lo ha canonizzato nel 1977.
Autore: Domenico Agasso
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/36360
San Giovanni Nepomuceno Neumann Vescovo
Prachatitz (Repubblica
Ceca), 28-3-1811 - Filadelfia (Usa), 5-1-1860
Giovanni Nepomuceno Neumann nacque in Boemia nel 1811. Studiò per diventare sacerdote,
ma non vi riuscì. Allora nel 1836 emigrò negli Stati Uniti. A
Manhattan fu ben accolto dal vescovo John Dubois che aveva solo 36 preti per
gli Stati di New York e New Jersey. Due settimane dopo il suo arrivo fu ordinato e
inviato a Buffalo, dove ebbe la cura della zona rurale. Per raggiungere tutte
le anime a lui affidate, dormiva poco e spesso si nutriva solo di pane e acqua.
Aderì all'ordine redentorista e nel 1852 divenne vescovo di Filadelfia dove
edificò cinque chiese e iniziò la costruzione della cattedrale. Si dedicò ai
giovani. Morì nel 1860 ed è santo dal 1977. (Avvenire)
Emblema: Bastone
pastorale
Martirologio
Romano: A Philadelphia in Pennsylvania negli Stati Uniti d’America, san
Giovanni Nepomuceno Neumann, vescovo, della Congregazione del Santissimo
Redentore: con mezzi materiali, consigli e carità aiutò coloro che erano
emigrati a causa dalla povertà e si prese grande cura dell’educazione cristiana
dei fanciulli.
Il suo
secondo nome deriva da un santo del XIV secolo, detto Nepomuceno perché nativo
di Nepomuc, in Boemia; cioè nella sua stessa regione di origine, che
nell’Ottocento apparteneva all’Impero austro-ungarico. Giovanni è figlio di
artigiani, che lo avviano agli studi classici, dai quali passa poi al
seminario: prima a Budejovic e poi a Praga. A 24 anni è pronto per il
sacerdozio, ma c’è un rinvio. Dalle lettere di san Paolo apostolo egli ha
ricevuto la vocazione missionaria; poi, gli scritti di evangelizzatori suoi
contemporanei gli hanno suggerito una precisa destinazione: il Nord
dell’America. D’accordo con il suo vescovo di Praga, parte verso gli Stati
Uniti nel febbraio 1836, e vi sbarca quattro mesi dopo, al tempo del presidente
Andrew Jackson.
Monsignor John Dubois, allora vescovo di New York, lo ordina sacerdote e lo manda nel nord dello Stato, dove ci sono molti immigrati di origine tedesca. Giovanni si installa nella cittadina di Williamsville, e una casetta diventa il suo campo-base. Di lì parte per visitare i villaggi sparsi: incontri, conoscenze, amicizie; qualche volta anche scontri e avversioni, più una scoraggiante povertà di mezzi. Ma così egli si sente realizzato, vivendo alla maniera descritta da Paolo apostolo nella seconda lettera ai cristiani di Corinto: «Viaggi innumerevoli...pericoli nelle città, pericoli nelle solitudini deserte..., nella fatica e nell’avversità, nella fame e nella sete». Una vita, però, che con il tempo dà i suoi frutti: le prime chiese qua e là, e con esse via via le scuole, i collegi per ragazzi soli, le opere della promozione sociale.
Nel 1842, Giovanni Neumann entra a far parte, con i voti pronunciati a Baltimora, dei Redentoristi, la congregazione fondata da sant’Alfonso de’ Liguori. Nel 1852 viene nominato vescovo di Filadelfia. E questa è una felicissima scelta di papa Pio IX: sarebbe difficile trovare chi meglio di lui sappia guidare i sacerdoti con l’esempio personale. Ma non ha doti di amministratore, e perciò gli viene affiancato un coadiutore, monsignor Giacomo Federico Wood, davvero esperto in questo campo, ma anche uomo di qualche ambizione. Wood aiuta il vescovo, ma è anche un po’ smanioso di sostituirlo. C’è tutto quello che occorre per creare un conflitto, ma la reazione di monsignor Neumann è serenamente evangelica: affida a questo collaboratore la parte centrale della città, e riserva a sé il lavoro in periferia, nei piccoli centri e nelle case sparse della Pennsylvania.
Giovanni Neumann è uomo di dottrina, e scrive un catechismo che avrà 21 edizioni, ma resta soprattutto un uomo di Dio in cammino verso gli altri uomini. E così muore: in cammino. Un malore improvviso, infatti, lo schianta in una via di Filadelfia. «Celebrate le esequie, la fama della sua santità cominciò a diffondersi [...]. Dio infatti comprovava questa fama con i miracoli». Così ha detto di lui Paolo VI, il Pontefice che lo ha canonizzato nel 1977.
Autore: Domenico Agasso
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/36360