John Neumann was born in Bohemia on March 28, 1811. Since he had a great desire to dedicate himself to the American missions, he came to the United States as a cleric and was ordained in New York in 1836 by Bishop Dubois.On January 16, 1842, John made his profession as a Redemptorist, the first to do so in America. He labored in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. In 1852, he was consecrated Bishop of Philadelphia. There he worked hard for the establishment of parish school and for the erection of many parishes, especially national parishes for the numerous immigrants. He as also the first Bishop of the United States to prescribe the Forty Hours Devotion in his diocese.
Bishop Neumann died on January 5, 1860, and was canonized on June 19, 1977 by Pope Paul VI.
PRAYER: Almighty God, You called St. John Neumann to a life of service, zeal, and compassion in guiding Your people in the new world. By his prayers enable us to build up the community of the Church through our dedication to the Christians education of youth and through our witness of brotherly love. Amen.