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.
Martyrologe romain
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 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.
SOURCE : http://www.cssr.com/francais/saintsblessed/stneumann.shtml
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)
SOURCE : http://www.redemptoristes.ca/st-redemptoristes.html#04
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.
En 1854, il fit un
pèlerinage 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
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, Philadephia, Pennsylvania
interred in a glass tomb
under the altar at
the National Shrine of Saint John Neumann in Philadelphia
11
December 1921 by Pope Benedict
XV (decree on heroic virtues)
13
October 1963 by Pope Paul
VI at Rome, Italy
Additional
Information
American
Martyrology, by Father F
G Holweck
Book
of Saints, by Father Lawrence
George Lovasik, S.V.D.
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
Small
Catechism of the Catholic Religion, by Saint John Nepomucene Neumann
The
Holiness of the Church in the 19th Century
books
Autobiography of Saint John Neumann, C.S.S.R, by Saint John
Neumann
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
National Shrine of Saint
John Neumann
Pope Paul VI: Homily at the Canonization of Saint John
Nepomucene Neumann
Salisbury, Pennsylvania Historical Site
images
video
e-books
on other sites
Life
of Right Reverend John N Neumann, DD, of the Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer, Fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, by Johann Berger
Katholischer
Katechismus, by Saint John Neumann
webové
stránky v ceštine
webseiten
auf deutsch
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites
en français
fonti
in italiano
Dicastero delle Cause dei Santi
websites
in nederlandse
nettsteder
i norsk
strony
w jezyku polskim
Conference
of the Polish Episcopate
Polska Prowincja Zakonu Pijarow
spletne
strani v slovenšcini
Readings
Since every man of
whatever race is endowed with the dignity of a person, he has an inalienable
right to an education corresponding to his proper destiny and suited to his
native talents, his cultural background, and his ancestral heritage. At the
same time, this education should pave the way to brotherly association with
other peoples, so that genuine unity and peace on earth may be promoted. For a
true education aims at the formation of the human person with respect to the
good of those societies of which, as a man, he is a member, and in whose
responsibilities, as an adult, he will share. – Saint John Neumann
A man must always be
ready, for death comes when and where God wills it. – Saint John
Neumann
Merciful Father, You have
given me all that I have in this world, even life itself. In all my daily
needs, help me to remember the needs of others too. Make me aware of the need
to pray to You not just for myself but for the Church, the Pope,
for the clergy and for people who suffer any need. Make me as selfless as Saint
John Nuemann. Throughout my life, give me the grace to direct my first thoughts
to the service of You and of others. Make my prayer – “Your will be done”
knowing that in Your mercy and love, Your will for me is my sanctification. I
ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
MLA
Citation
“Saint John Nepomucene
Neumann“. CatholicSaints.Info. 28 June 2023. Web. 28 April 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-nepomucene-neumann/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/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
SOURCE : http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/homilies/1977/documents/hf_p-vi_hom_19770619.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.
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).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0105.shtml
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.
SOURCE : http://www.stjohnneumann.org/life.html
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
The
Holiness of the Church in the Nineteenth Century – John Nepomucene Neumann
John Nepomucene Neumann,
bishop of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was by birth an Austrian. He was born on
23 May 1811, and was the son of a municipal official in the little town of
Prachatitz in Boehmer Wald. His boyhood foretold the future saint. He served
Mass with extraordinary love and devotion. Once, when he saw a poor schoolmate
begging, John besought his parents to be permitted to collect alms for the boy.
At the age of twelve, having manifested his desire to become a priest, he was
sent to the gymnasium of Budweis. Eight years later he began the study of
theology in the seminary of Budweis and continued it afterward at Prague.
During this time a fellow-student wrote an anonymous letter full of bitter
calumnies against him, which brought John a severe public reprimand. He knew
who the writer was, but, far from seeking revenge, he endeavored to win his
calumniator by showing him greater love and friendship. While a student, John
Neumann had read the reports of the Leopold Society on the foreign missions.
This enkindled his zeal for souls. He determined to take Saint Francis Xavier
as his model and to go off to the missions as soon as possible. After
completing his studies he resolved to proceed immediately to North America.
Before leaving he desired first to be ordained priest for the consolation of
his parents; but this petition was not granted. As he left home he consoled his
weeping father and mother, saying that he was not born to strive after honor
and renown but to seek out the lambs that had gone astray.
On his landing in New
York in 1836, Neumann was kindly received by the bishop and sent to help the
pastor of the German church of Saint Nicholas in preparing the children for
first Communion. Shortly after this, the bishop ordained him and appointed him
pastor of Williamsville, near Buffalo. All the privations of a missionary there
awaited the newly-ordained priest, but the sight of so many forsaken souls and
their deplorable ignorance of religion made the sacrifice light for his zealous
heart. Restless, he hastened with long and toilsome journeys through pathless
wilds seeking the forlorn sheep, while at home he had absolutely no one to
serve him or to prepare a lodging to shelter him sufficiently from the severe
colds of winter.
For a long time Neumann
had been deliberating on joining a Religious Order so that he might labor more
efficiently as a missionary. Finally, in the year 1840 he obtained permission
to enter the Congregation of the Redemptorists. But the novitiate did not give
him much rest from his apostolic labors, for the need of priests was very
great. A year after taking his vows Neumann became superior at Pittsburgh.
Later on he was chosen to govern the whole province and after this was made
rector in Baltimore. While occupying this position he was assailed by calumny
and as a consequence deposed from his office. He said nothing in his defense,
but it was only a short time before his innocence came clearly to light. His
superiors did all they could to make amends for the injustice done him and
reinstated him in his former office. Then came the unexpected news to the
humble priest that he was nominated bishop of Philadelphia by the Propaganda.
He used every effort to avoid this dignity, but Rome was inexorable.
Now that he was bishop,
Neumann’s zeal could be exercised almost without limit. He was indefatigable in
preaching, in hearing confessions, in visiting his far-extended diocese.
Philadelphia owes to him its cathedral and its ecclesiastical seminary. He took
care to establish Catholic schools everywhere.
At the desire of Pius IX
he went to Rome for the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception
in 1854. He took the opportunity of visiting his home, to the great joy of his
father, who was still living. They prepared a splendid reception for him, but
it was his modesty and deep piety that made the greatest impression on the
entire population. The ever active bishop was only forty-eight years of age.
But he had already wasted his strength in the service of the Lord. On 5 January
1860, he was stricken with apoplexy while in the street, and the stroke brought
about his death. He still wore his penitential girdle even on his death-bed.
The apostolic process of his beatification was begun in 1896.
MLA
Citation
Father Constantine
Kempf, S.J. “John
Nepomucene Neumann”. The
Holiness of the Church in the Nineteenth Century, 1916. CatholicSaints.Info.
28 April 2022. Web. 28 April 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/the-holiness-of-the-church-in-the-nineteenth-century-john-nepomucene-neumann/>
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
Johannes Nepomuk Neumann
auch: Johann
englisch: John Nepomucene
tschechisch: Jan Nepomucký
Gedenktag katholisch: 5. Januar
gebotener Gedenktag in den USA und im Redemptoristenorden
nicht gebotener Gedenktag im deutschen Sprachgebiet
Diözesankalender Mainz, Limburg und Passau
Name bedeutet: J: Gott ist gnädig (hebr.)
N: nach Johannes
Nepomuk
Bischof von Philadelphia
* 23. August 1811 in Prachatice bei Budweis in Tschechien
† 5. Januar 1860 in Philadelphia in
den USA
Johannes Nepomuk Neumann
absolvierte Schule und das Studium der Theologie in Budweis - dem
heutigen České
Budějovice - und Sprachstudien in Prag -
er sprach acht Sprachen. Ohne Priesterweihe - der Weihetermin seines
Studienkurses war wegen eines Überangebotes von Priestern aufgeschoben worden -
ging er voller Ungewissheit über seine Zukunft nach Amerika.
1835 kam Neumann in New
York an und wurde dort zum Priester geweiht, sein erster Einsatzort
war das Gebiet um die Niagarafälle,
wo er die deutschen, irischen und französischen Katholiken betreute. Am Rande
der Erschöpfung beschloss er 1840, in den Orden der Redemptoristen einzutreten,
da er allein auf sich gestellt nur schwer überleben konnte. 1844 wurde er
Leiter des Klosters in Pittsburgh in
Pennsylvania, 1847 Visitator aller amerikanischen Niederlassungen des Ordens, 1848
Vizeprovinzial. Er gab zwei Katechismen heraus, veröffentlichte Artikel und
wurde schließlich 1852 zum Bischof von Philadelphia ernannt.
Als Bischof hielt sich
Neumann vor allem an die einfachen und armen Leute; ihnen fühlte er sich
verwandt, mit ihnen aß er Kartoffelsuppe, spülte selbst in der Küche, brachte
in einem Tuch verpackt seinen Ministranten Ostereier. In einer guten
Schulausbildung sah er den entscheidenden Schlüssel für eine Verbesserung der
sozial schwachen Schichten. Über hundert Schulen richtete er in seinem Bistum
ein und legte so den Grundstein für das kirchliche Pfarrschul-System in den
heutigen USA. Zur Durchführung des Lehrbetriebs gründete er einen
Schwestern-Orden. Mit dem Bau von Kirchen stärkte er die Gemeinden.
Gleichzeitig ging es ihm immer um den einzelnen Menschen; kein Priester in
seiner Diözese soll mehr Stunden im Beichtstuhl verbracht haben als er. Völlig
ausgezehrt brach er nach achtjähriger Amtszeit auf der Straße zusammen und
starb.
Kanonisation: Johannes
Nepomuk Neumann wurde am 13. Oktober 1963 durch Papst Paul VI. selig-
und am 19. Juni 1977 durch denselben Papst heiliggesprochen.
Worte des Heiligen
Neumanns Briefe in seine Heimat sind wertvolle Zeugnisse für das Leben der ersten Generation der deutschen Auswanderer in die Vereinigten Staaten und die damit gegebenen pastoralen Anforderungen an die Priester, die sie betreuen.
Obwohl ich in äußerster Not zu leben habe, so glaube ich doch, dass mein
Missionsgebiet noch eine Möglichkeit fände, in derselben Art zwei bis drei
Priester erhalten zu können, weil ja gerade nur arme Priester hier unter den
Deutschen günstig wirken können und weil man hier nicht an einen Ort festen
Aufenthaltes denken kann und der Missionar gezwungen ist, immer unterwegs zu
sein. Deshalb lassen sich die guten Priester schwerlich in den Städten nieder,
wo sie keine guten Katholiken finden. Diese wählen ja, wenn sie braves Volk
sind, vielmehr ein Waldgebiet, hier bauen sie sich mitten drin eine kleine
Festung aus Holzstämmen, wozu sie nur zwei bis drei Tage brauchen. Dann
beginnen sie sofort mit dem Niederbrennen und Roden der Bäume und mit der
Bestellung von Kartoffelfeldern. In sechs bis sieben Jahren sind sie soweit,
selbst Haferfelder zu haben. Alle Deutschen halten sich in einer Entfernung von
zehn bis zwölf Meilen von der Kirche auf, oft noch zwei bis vier Meilen
untereinander getrennt und alle mitten in den Wäldern. Man begreift deshalb,
dass bei dieser Lage das Herz des Missionars kein anderes Vergnügen und Interesse
haben darf und für das Heil seiner Schäflein schon alles geopfert haben muss.
Der Einsatz von Neumann und seiner Mitbrüder blieb nicht ohne Erfolg: Die
4000 deutschen Katholiken in Baltimore waren
so lau in ihrem Glauben geworden, dass an Sonn- und Feiertagen kaum die Hälfte
der kleinen Kirche voll war; die meisten hatten das Kirchgehen und den Empfang
der hl. Sakrament ganz aufgegeben. Seit den letzten zwei oder drei Jahren hat
sich indes alles gebessert. Die Kirche wurde bald zu klein und die an ihre
Stelle gebaute schöne St.-Alphonsus-Kirche wird ungeachtet ihrer bedeutenden
Größe kaum im Stande sein, die ganze Volksmenge zu fassen. Wöchentlich
empfangen 100 bis 200 Personen die hl. Kommunion. Überhaupt ist diese Gemeinde
jetzt so einig und fromm, dass der hochwürdigste Herr Erzbischof schon mehrmals
äußerte, dass er in keiner Kirche eine solche Andacht und Erbauung finde.
Dieselben tröstlichen Fortschritte im Dienste Gottes finden sich auch in den
anderen uns anvertrauten Gemeinden. So kostspielig und lebensgefährlich das
beständige Herumreisen in Amerika ist, so gewähren diese Missionen auf dem
Lande doch oft noch mehr Trost als die in den Städten. Die Mission bei den
deutschen Katholiken in Cumberland ist
von Gott besonders gesegnet. So oft ein Priester hinaufkommt, empfangen fast
alle (150 - 200) die hl. Sakramente. Unter diesen sind viele Familien, die zehn
bis 25 Stunden weit zu Fuß kommen, um wieder einen deutschen Priester zu sehen,
zu hören, ihre Kinder von ihm taufen und unterrichten zu lassen und selbst auch
die hl. Sakramente zu empfangen.
Quelle: Der Heilige aus
dem Böhmerwald - Johann Nepomuk Neumann. Bischof in Philadelphia. =
Schriftenreihe des Sudetendeutschen Priesterwerks in Königstein, Bd. 23,
Königstein 1979, S. 26, 35f
Zitate von Johannes
Nepomuk Neumann:
Rede mein Gott, sag mir, was Du von mir forderst. Ich bin bereit! Ich will Dir in allem gehorchen.
Ich will mein Brevier täglich kniend und andächtig beten, … die Vorbereitung zur hl. Messe sowie die Danksagung genau verrichten, nachmittags allzeit das allerheiligste Sakrament besuchen, nie essen als zu Mittag und am Abend, mich besser auf die Predigt vorbereiten, nie ohne Not und ohne fromme Absicht sprechen, nie die Geduld verlieren und über meine Sinne wachen. - O Gott, hilf mir durch die Fürbitte Mariens und aller Heiligen. Amen.
Dass uns Gott in allen Gefahren beschützt und unsere Arbeiten gesegnet hat, haben wir wohl meistens Ihrem Gebete und dem aller Freunde der Mission zu verdanken. Die Welt wird mehr durch das eifrige, anhaltende Gebet bekehrt, als durch alle anderen Mühen.
Ein Christ und noch mehr ein Ordensmann muss immer auf den Tod vorbereitet
sein. In diesem Fall hat ein schneller Tod auch seine Vorteile.
Quelle: Der Heilige aus
dem Böhmerwald - Johann Nepomuk Neumann. Bischof in Philadelphia. =
Schriftenreihe des Sudetendeutschen Priesterwerks in Königstein, Bd. 23,
Königstein 1979, S. 65, 31, 42, 54
zusammengestellt von Abt
em. Dr. Emmeram Kränkl OSB,
Benediktinerabtei Schäftlarn,
für die Katholische
SonntagsZeitung
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Autor: Joachim
Schäfer - zuletzt aktualisiert am 03.02.2024
Quellen:
• Vera Schauber, Hanns Michael Schindler: Heilige und Patrone im Jahreslauf. Pattloch, München 2001
• Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, begr. von Michael Buchberger. Hrsg. von
Walter Kasper, 3., völlig neu bearb. Aufl., Bd. 5. Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau
1996
korrekt zitieren: Joachim Schäfer: Artikel Johannes Nepomuk Neumann, aus dem Ökumenischen Heiligenlexikon - https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienJ/Johannes_Nepomuk_Neumann.htm, abgerufen am 28. 4. 2024
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet das Ökumenische
Heiligenlexikon in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte
bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über https://d-nb.info/1175439177 und https://d-nb.info/969828497 abrufbar.
SOURCE : https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienJ/Johannes_Nepomuk_Neumann.htm
Voir aussi : http://www.ndtroisepis.fr/st-jean-neuman.html
