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St. John Neumann Biography
* St. John Neuman was born in Prachatice, Bohemia which
is today's Czech Republic on March 28, 1811. His birth
name was John Nepomucene Neumann.
* St. John Neumann studied in Ceske Budejovice and entered
the seminary in 1831.
* St. John transferred to the University of Prague two
years later and studied theology. He was also interested
in astronomy and botany. St. John Neumann was unable
to be ordained because the bishop decided there were
too many priests in Bohemia already.
* St. John Neumann, who spoke eight languages, wrote
to bishops throughout Europe but they also said they
had too many priests.
* Still, St. John was not discouraged. He wrote to the
bishops in America, asking to be ordained in the United
States. He traveled to America in 1836 and was ordained
a priest.
* St. John Neumann was assigned to a parish in New York
to work with German immigrants around the Niagra Falls
area. He visited the ill, taught the Catholic catechism,
and trained teachers.
* After four years as a priest, St. John Neumann applied
to the Redemptorists. He was welcomed and began his
novitiate in the order of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He
entered the order in 1842 and became the first Redemptorist
in America.
* St. John Neumann became a United States citizen on
February 10, 1848.
* St. John Neumann was consecrated bishop of Philadelphia
in March of 1852 where he founded the first Catholic
school system in America.
* He brought the School Sisters of Notre Dame to America
to teach in the Catholic schools.
* An anti-Catholic group known as the Know Nothings,
set fire to the schools and convents. St. John Neumann
was very discouraged, writing to Rome and asking to
be transferred. Pope
Pius IX insisted that he continue his work.
* On January 5, 1860, St. John Neumann died in the snow
covered street a short distance from his new cathedral.
The priests went to him with the holy oils of the Last
Rites but he was already dead.
* John Neumann was canonized a saint on June 19, 1977
by Pope
Paul VI. His feast days are celebrated on January
5 and March 5. On this feast day and when visiting the
National Shrine of Saint John Neumann, Catholics wear
a St. John Neumann medal or a St. John Neumann necklace,
venerating this saintly man who brought Catholic education
to the United States.
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Click on Images
for Complete Selection of St. John Neumann medals
and pendants, Prices and to Purchase.
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St. John Neumann. Catholic or
religious jewelry can make a suitable gift for
a child's First Communion. Jewelry is typically
given to girls only, however, boys may also wear
a Saint necklace or ring.
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St. John Neumann Necklace. Have
the jewelry store engrave the recipient's name
on the back of the pendant along with a short
message or date if appropriate.
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St. John Neumann Charm is the
perfect size for a charm bracelet or a necklace
for a child. All gold filled and sterling silver
pendants come with a chain.
Click on image.
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