Although he was born in Bohemia in 1811, in what is now the Czech Republic, John Neumann is celebrated as an American saint. After studying in Prague, John Neumann came to New York at the age of 25 and was ordained a priest just three weeks later. After several years of working among German speaking immigrants, often alone, he joined the Redemptorist community, the missionary community founded by St. Alphonsis Ligouri. As a gifted linguist who spoke 8 languages, he was a popular preacher among the many immigrant communities, in Maryland, Virginia, even here in Ohio.
By age 41 he had become the fourth bishop of Philadelphia where he organized the parochial schools there into a diocesan system.
Today’s opening prayer refers to three tasks accomplished by Saint John Neumann which we hope to accomplish by the help of his prayers. 1) To foster the Christian education of youth, 2) to strengthen the witness of brotherly love (a reference to Philadelphia--the city of brotherly love), and 3) to constantly increase the family of the Church.
Like Saint John Neumann, all of us are to foster the Christian education of youth. Almost 50,000 children in this diocese attend Catholic schools, and at least that same number are educated in parish PSR programs. But the number of children attending weekly Mass is abysmal. Faith is so weak in their families that they are like "sheep without a shepherd", as our Lord says in the Gospel today. We face a very difficult battle in winning the hearts of these children away from the culture. To feed the multitude with the bread from heaven. But that is the task, and the Lord shows that it is possible. So, if there is a young person in your family not going to Church, each of us should ask ourselves, “what can I do to get them to the table?”
Secondly, we must give “the witness of brotherly love”. Non-Catholics and weak-faithed Catholics should look at us and say in the words of Tertullian, “look how they love each other”. The brotherly love we have for each other, the charity, the kindness, the patience we have for each other is to attract others to our way of life—the way of Christ.
And the third task exemplified by John Neumann to increase the family of the Church. Again not just the work of priests, not just the work of bishops, but the work of the entire church, to continue to draw souls to Christ. And that is only possible, when we have truly been drawn to Him, when we have left behind all worldliness, when we have sought him with the entirety of our being.
May Bishop Neumann, “renowned for his charity and pastoral service” spurn us on to holiness through the service of the Gospel of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
For a deeper devotion to the Eucharist among all Catholics, that our Eucharistic worship might inspire non-believers to seek and find the Lord.
That our Catholic schools and PSR programs may be places where the Lord Jesus is sought out and discovered, where faith is instilled and charity is inspired.
For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, that many young people may respond generously to the Lord’s call to ordained and consecrated service.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For our former bishop, Archbishop Nelson Perez and for the Church of Philadelphia, that through the intercession of St. John Neumann, they may be renowned for their charity and pastoral service.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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