St. Peter of Verona, born to heretical parents, became a Dominican after being educated in Catholic schools. He was appointed inquisitor for northern Italy by Pope Gregory IX in 1234, converting many heretics. Despite drawing large crowds, Peter made enemies among the Cathars. He was ambushed and murdered by a heretic while traveling between Como and Milan. Before dying, he supposedly wrote "Credo in Deum" (I believe in God). Depicted with a blade or knife in his head, Peter was canonized the year after his death and named patron saint of inquisitors. St. Peter of Verona Time Period: 1205-1252 Feast Day: April 29 Title/Attributes: Martyr, Dominican Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Peter of Verona, was an inquisitor and martyr. He was born in Verona to parents who were adherents of the Cathar heresy. Educated in a Catholic school and the University of Bologna, he was brought into the Dominican Order in 1221 by St. Dominic himself. Preaching with some success in Lombardy, he endured and overcame false accusations that he had been visited by women in his cell. In 1234, he was appointed inquisitor for northern Italy by Pope Gregory IX at a time when the region was filled with Cathars and other heretics. Although attracting very large and enthusiastic crowds, Peter also made enemies among the Cathars, who hated him for his activities and his success in converting many heretics back to the faith. A group of Cathars ambushed him on the road between Como and Milan, and a heretic named Caino murdered him. He supposedly wrote in the dirt the words “Credo in Deum” which means “I believe in God.” In art, Peter is shown with a blade cleaving his head or sometimes a knife in his head and a sword piercing his breast. Canonized the year after his death by Pope Innocent IV, he was also named the patron saint of inquisitors. Next Item Previous Item

Saint Anthony of Padua was born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal on August 14, 1195. Born into a wealthy family, he left home at age 15 to become an Augustinian Canon. Around 1220 AD, he was inspired by the faith of some Franciscan martyrs, and joined the Franciscan Order. While living in Italy, his preaching and energetic defense of the Catholic faith earned him the nickname “The Hammer of Heretics.” He led the friars in Northern Italy for many years before his death in 1231. He was officially recognized as a Doctor of the Church in 1946. His feast day is June 13th. St. Anthony of Padua Time Period: 1195-1231 Feast Day: June 13 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Doctor of the Church, Franciscan Location of Relic: Main Church - Near St. Anthony Statue Type of Relic: Piece of Clothing Saint Anthony of Padua, a holy miracle worker, humble preacher, and Doctor of the Church was born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal on August 14, 1195. Born into a wealthy family, his father was a captain in the royal army in what would one day become Portugal. Fernando’s journey as a servant of Christ began at a young age, when he left home at age 15 to become an Augustinian Canon. He studied theology and latin at the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Coimbra, before being named guestmaster of the abbey at 19 years old. Around that same time, some of the first members of the Order of the Friars Minor, which St. Francis had founded in 1206 AD, traveled to Coimbra to reside in a small hermitage outside of town. Fernando was attracted to their simple, evangelical lifestyle. Around 1220 AD, some of these friars went as missionaries to preach the Gospel in Morocco, where they were brutally killed for their faith. The bodies of the Franciscan martyrs were recovered, with their relics returning to Coimbra. Upon seeing the relics, Fernando felt an intense longing to join the Franciscan order, so that he too could set out and become one of those closest to Jesus: those who die for the Good News. Moved by the martyr’s heroic example, Fernando begged his superiors to allow him to depart, eventually receiving permission to join the Franciscan Order in their small hermitage in Olivais. He changed his name to Anthony, taken from the name of the chapel located at the hermitage, named in honor of Anthony the Great. In the same year he joined the Order, Anthony was sent on mission to Morocco to preach to the Moors. Shortly after arriving though, Anthony was struck with a severe illness, leaving him grievously weak. Resigned to return home, he boarded a ship back to Portugal. Unexpectedly, a storm drove the ship off-course, and the boat landed in Sicily. Anthony was given shelter by the Franciscans there, eventually residing in a quiet convent near Forli, where he spent most of his time praying, reading Scripture and doing small tasks around the kitchen. That all changed though, when Anthony attended an ordination ceremony, and the priest who was to give the sermon fell sick. One of the Franciscan superiors quickly asked the friars in attendance to fill in, but one-by-one, they excused themselves. Finally, Anthony was called upon, and in his humble nature, he accepted, and proceeded to speak with incredible eloquence, learning and passion that all in attendance were amazed. St. Francis took notice of Anthony’s preaching abilities, and commissioned him to not only preach throughout Italy, but also to teach theology to the other friars. Many traveled from far away to hear Anthony’s preaching, which was leading way to miracles left and right. Three stories in particular helped shape the legend of St. Anthony. First, his energetic defense of the Catholic faith led many lost heretics to return to the church, thus earning the nickname “Hammer of Heretics”. Secondly, one novice at the hermitage decided to leave the hermitage, and stole one of Anthony’s valuable books he used for teaching. When Anthony discovered it missing, he prayed it would be found or returned swiftly. Not only did the thief return the book, but he also returned to join the Order as well! Lastly, while staying the night at a man’s home, Anthony was found by the man holding in his arms the Child Jesus, surrounded by heavenly light. This is the reason St. Anthony is often depicted holding a young Jesus in his arms. He led the friars in Northern Italy for many more years before settling in the city of Padua to continue preaching and serving the Lord up to his death. Anthony fell ill and on June 13th, 1231 AD, received the last sacraments, all the while smiling in the distance saying “I see my Lord”. He died at 36 years old. St. Anthony of Padua is one of the quickest canonized Saints in the history of the Catholic Church, with Pope Gregory IX declaring him among the saints the very next year. He was revered by many for helping those who had lost God find Him again, and still today, many pray to Anthony to help them in finding what is lost. In 1946, Pope Pius XII officially recognized him as a Doctor of the Church. To be declared a Doctor of the Church, you have to meet three basic requirements: First, you must have lived a life of exemplary holiness, or insignis vitae sanctitas (outstanding sanctity). In short, you have to be a saint. Second, to be a Doctor of the Church you must have deepened the whole Church's understanding of the Catholic Faith with emins doctrina (eminent teaching). Which is to say, sanctity isn't enough. There are thousands of saints, but only 37 Doctors of the Church. To be a Doctor one must do more than just live the Faith. Rather, one must significantly and profoundly contribute to our understanding of Divine Revelation, helping us to know more deeply some truth about God and His actions in the World. And third, a pope must officially declare you a Doctor. That being said, as the Church understands it, when a pope declares someone a Doctor of the Church, he's not so much making someone a Doctor as he is recognizing what the Holy Spirit has already done - that He has conferred the charism of Doctor upon them. Next Item Previous Item

St. John Brito was a Jesuit martyr in India. He was a native of Lisbon, Portugal, was dedicated at birth to St. Francis Xavier, and was a noble friend of King Pedro. He entered the Jesuits at the age of fifteen. In his effort to promote conversions among the native Indian people as a missionary to Goa, he wandered through Malabar and other regions and even adopted the customs and dress of the Brahmin caste which gave him access to the noble classes. In 1683, John had to leave India but returned in 1691. Arrested, tortured, and commanded to leave India, he refused and was put to death. Pope Pius XII canonized him in 1947. His Feast day is February 4. St. John Brito Time Period: 1647-1693 Feast Day: February 4 Title/Attributes: Martyr, Jesuit Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Sand from the place of martyrdom João de Brito was born in Lisbon, Portugal on March 1, 1647. While still a boy he was admitted among the pages of the King of Spain, but he became seriously ill: his mother made a vow to Saint Francis Xavier that, if her son recovered, she would have him wear the habit of the Society of Jesus for a year. This happened, but John asked to truly become a Jesuit. Ordained a priest in 1673, he was sent to India. His profound inculturation, which led him to adopt clothes and lifestyles similar to those of Indian ascetics, earned him numerous conversions. Being outside the regions controlled by the Portuguese, the Jesuits of Madurai lived according to specific characteristics. They had conformed to the native customs and, in the event of conflict or persecution by the local authorities, they could not expect help from the Portuguese or any other foreign power. Accepting this situation, they were able to establish a Christian Church independent of Western protection. To this end, a violent storm thwarted his plan. According to some, even among his compatriots, de Brito exaggerated in his methods of adaptation. The death sentence, however, had to be confirmed. John was brought before Raganata Tevar. He listened to an exposition of the Christian religion given by the missionary, and was so impressed that he ordered all Christian prisoners to be released. He added, however, that the law of John's God was not suitable for him or his people. He therefore ordered the missionary to be expelled from his kingdom, forbidding him to preach Christianity and threatening him with death if he did not obey. Shortly after these events, the provincial wrote to de Brito, informing him that he must leave for Europe, because he had been elected procurator of the Province. John reminded the provincial that he had vowed never to return to Portugal, but his objection was not accepted. He therefore left Goa on December 15, 1686, for his return to Europe. While in Portugal, he retained many of the habits he had followed in India: he continued to sleep on a mat and to eat only vegetables. To those who were surprised by his attitudes, he replied that his brothers in Madurai led a much more heroic and penitent life, exposed to constant dangers, and added that, being eager to return to India, he wanted to keep fit to return to action, if he were allowed. He had to overcome the resistance of those who wanted to keep him in Lisbon: this time, even the king himself and his ministers. Many told him that he could do much more for India by remaining in Europe. The king finally gave him permission to leave, but declared that he would recall him after two years. He even wrote to the general of the Society of Jesus, through his confessor Father Sebastião de Magalhães, to ask for the return of John de Brito to Portugal, but he obtained nothing. The missionary, later, on April 11, 1692, remembering these attempts, wrote to Father João da Costa: "I have always told Your Reverence that I did not think of returning to Portugal. I love heaven more than earth, the bushes of Madurai more than the palace of Portugal." While waiting to return to the East, John turned to the provincial, who was then Father André Freire, asking him to send him back to the mission in Madurai. He especially wanted to return to Marava, which he later obtained. Thanks to his activity, there were many conversions, even among the relatives of the Rajah, but these successes could not fail to provoke hatred and threats of revenge. Giovanni de Brito was aware of the situation, and on July 22, 1692 he wrote to Father João da Costa: "Now it is said that in Marava they hope to capture me and cut off my head, and thus put an end to the preaching of the Gospel in that land. If this is established, why speak? We will go to heaven sooner; and since the news is already very widespread, I judge that it is not the glory of God to leave these lands now." In fact, events precipitated. The latest events refer to the conversion of Tadaia Theva, who asked to be baptized by John de Brito, after being cured of an illness. Since he was a well-known figure and one of his wives was a cousin of the ra jah, his conversion could not go unnoticed. Making such an important person a Christian was the sure way to provoke a violent persecution. Therefore John gathered his catechists and the most influential Christians and exposed the problem. After these consultations, he was firmly determined to baptize the prince. He met with the catechumen and began to instruct him. He also explained to him what he considered a great obstacle: he must be prepared to live with only one of his wives, sending away the other four, and this would certainly provoke the anger of the rajah. The prince was not intimidated and declared that he was prepared to keep only his first wife and to exclude the others, among whom was the rajah's cousin. When it came to the baptism, it happened as expected: John was taken with his companions, and on January 28, 1693, they were all tried and condemned to death. The Rajah gave the order to shoot them and had them led to the place of execution. Tadaia Theva, surrounded by many Christians, came forward to tell the soldiers that they must kill him first. Fearing an uprising, the Rajah ordered the condemned men to be returned to prison and arranged for John to be transferred to Oriyur and handed over to Udaia Theva, his relative, to be executed. His companions were eventually released. On January 29, John was escorted to Oriyur, where he was beheaded on February 4. The night before, he wrote to Father Francisco Laínez, superior of the mission: "Now I hope to suffer death for my God and my Lord, sought twice in India, in the mission and in Marava: truly with great toil, but with an inestimable reward. The crime of which they accuse me is that of teaching the law of God our Lord, and that in no way should idols be worshipped. When guilt is a virtue, suffering is a glory." These are words that show the dedication of a European who has put aside, as much as possible, his Western style in order to transmit the spirit of Christ by adopting the ascetic practices of Indian penitents. Next Item Previous Item

Scheduling Meetings Parish Space Availability Facilities issues an annual Parish Space Availability calendar which illustrates the dates available for event scheduling. Standard Hours Available for Scheduling Sunday: 8:00am to Noon (Noon-9:00pm reserved for Children’s Faith Formation, Sacramental Classes & Youth Ministry) Mon-Fri: 8:30am to 8:30pm Saturday: 8:00am to 8:30pm Actual locking and unlocking of doors is based on campus activity, and not on the hours noted above. Exterior doors may be locked before the end of your meeting. Meetings must end promptly. Evening groups will be asked to leave so campus can be secured. Cancellations Space is at a premium and assets are being utilized to support your event. Notice of cancellations should be sent as soon as possible to your staff director/coordinator so that space can be rebooked and assets reassigned. Annual Scheduling St. Anthony’s utilizes an annual scheduling process. The process allows Facilities to receive all requests simultaneously and optimize space when booking the overall parish schedule. Scheduling packets are distributed by and returned to your staff director/coordinator. Adjustments to Your Annual Schedule Timely requests for changes to your annual schedule should be emailed to your staff director/coordinator. Attendance Every ministry is required to take attendance of every meeting so we can accurately assess the space and the needs of our ministries. Attendance forms are in every meeting space on campus. Please complete and place in the "Completed Attendance Forms" folder. Should your group use a different format for attendance, please submit to Casey Barnes at cbarnes@ap.church . Scheduling Request Form- Sample .xlsx Download XLSX • 20KB Previous Item Next Item

Jean-François Régis was born in Font-Couverte, France, on 31 January 1597. While still a boy he immediately showed great love for study and religion, so he was introduced to the Jesuit college of Bezieres. After a short period he went to Toulouse to begin his novitiate. From there he was sent to Cahors, where he took his first vows and then to Dillon. After three years he went to Tournon to study philosophy and again to Toulouse for theology. After receiving holy orders, he devoted himself to caring for plague victims. Once the contagion had ceased, Francis began his missions among the poor in the countryside, which later became his specific apostolate. He thus traveled, preaching, almost half of France. Ever more ill, one day he still wanted to go on a mission; struck by fever, he dragged himself to his destination: it was December 24. He died on December 31, 1640. He was canonized by Clement XII on April 5, 1737. St. John Francis Regis Time Period: 1597-1640 Feast Day: June 16 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Jesuit Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Wood from the coffin Jean-François Régis was born in Font-Couverte, France, on 31 January 1597. While still a boy he immediately showed great love for study and religion, so he was introduced to the Jesuit college of Bezieres. After a short period he went to Toulouse to begin his novitiate. From there he was sent to Cahors, where he took his first vows and then to Dillon. After three years he went to Tournon to study philosophy and again to Toulouse for theology. After receiving holy orders, he devoted himself to caring for plague victims. Once the contagion had ceased, Francis began his missions among the poor in the countryside, which later became his specific apostolate. He thus traveled, preaching, almost half of France. Ever more ill, one day he still wanted to go on a mission; struck by fever, he dragged himself to his destination: it was December 24. He died on December 31, 1640. He was canonized by Clement XII on April 5, 1737. Next Item Previous Item

Our Sacrament Preparation (First Reconciliation and First Communion) program is a collaboration between our Parish, the Family and the Child. Click below to find out more about the program, requirements, and registration.  First Reconciliation - Child Our Sacrament Preparation (First Reconciliation and First Communion) program is a collaboration between our Parish, the Family and the Child. Click below to find out more about the program, requirements, and registration. 2nd-8th Grade Preparation for First Reconciliation for children will occur while also preparing for First Communion. Please visit our First Communion Page for more information. First Communion (2nd-8th Grade) Program Contact Katy Nardone Sacramental Preparation Coordinator knardone@ap.church 832-482-4062 Diane Czerniak Elementary Faith Formation Manager dczerniak@ap.church 832-482-4037 Next Item Previous Item

5-Year Pastoral Plan Greater Things Are Yet to Come As we look to the future, it is essential to prayerfully reflect on how to position St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church to fulfill God’s will. Guided by the theme of our Five-Year Plan, "Greater Things Are Yet to Come," this vision is the fruit of a collaborative effort that embraced diverse perspectives within our community. Through this process, we have identified key priorities, established meaningful milestones, and crafted strategies to not only sustain but also strengthen our parish's mission and impact. This plan serves as a clear and actionable roadmap, aligning our vision with tangible goals to navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, ensuring St. Anthony of Padua continues to flourish as a vibrant faith community. We invite you to play an active role in bringing our Five-Year Plan to life by sharing your time and talents through one of our many ministries. Your involvement is essential to fulfilling our shared mission. Together, we can ensure our parish remains a source of inspiration and guidance for the faithful for generations to come. BELONG St. Anthony’s will continue to foster a sense of “belonging” for all parishioners & employees, through hospitality, communication, and service. Hospitality: St. Anthony’s will continue to foster a sense of “belonging” for all parishioners and visitors, by increasing accessibility, pastoral responses, and overall hospitality. Parishioner Experience: Expand processes for the best user experience when seeking services from the parish. Communication: A communication strategy that fosters connections with new parishioners that encourages engagement and involvement in parish life. Work Environment: Develop a work environment that fosters a sense of belonging and offers professional growth opportunities that attract and retain talent. BELIEVE Create meaningful opportunities for parishioners, especially young people, to deepen their faith and grow spiritually through a continuous and enriching journey of formation. Lifelong Learning: Prepare education progressions for all age levels, and opportunities to stay involved in between sacraments. Ensure inclusion of parents, young people, and children. Support of and Inclusion of Young Adults: Launching them for the next generation of our Parish. Invite them to be a witness to children or other young people. Mystagogy: Continue to engage adults, teens, and children after they have completed programs and received sacraments, deepening their understanding by layering instruction that evolves with their growing faith. BLESS Multiply opportunities to spread the Gospel in our community and the world by going, serving and connecting with individuals and families in need. Identify Needs: Analyze emerging trends and shifting dynamics to identify key outreach priorities and develop tailored, effective strategies for delivering impactful solutions. Outreach Success: Identify the most effective methods for organizing efforts. Assess current outreach opportunities, build upon existing successes and expand their reach. Expand Partnerships: Continuously explore opportunities to form new partnerships with nonprofit organizations that address the identified needs. Ministry Awareness & Alignment: Elevate the visibility of the Parish ministries, strengthen alignment with the overarching mission, and expand parishioner participation and impact. BUILD Develop and maintain a resilient, adaptable, and innovative infrastructure that supports our mission and community needs. Infrastructure: St. Anthony will continue to provide well-maintained facilities that meet the parish needs for worship, learning, outreach, administration and social activities. Audio Visual: Provide a user-friendly, intuitive, and consistent A/V experience. Information Technology: Remain relevant with new technologies that will provide an edifying end user experience. Safety and Security: Ongoing evaluation of systems, protocols, and technology to adequately protect STAOP students, parishioners, and staff. BEYOND Nurture a sacred and reverent liturgy that reflects the holiness of the divine, while also creating a meaningful and transformative experience for the faithful. Liturgy: Enhance the beauty of the Liturgy through integration of training, catechesis, and spiritual formation in both the spoken word and music. Music: Foster diversity in sacred music that faithfully reflects Catholic teaching while inspiring both reverence and spiritual connection. Spirituality: In collaboration with laypersons, clergy, and parish leadership, undertake a synodal process to draw meaningful themes from the Sunday readings that align with and support the parish's direction. Support: Develop and implement a compassionate follow-up process to consistently support families of the deceased whose funerals were celebrated within our parish. Previous Item Next Item

St. Vincent Ferrer was a Spanish Dominican preacher born in Valencia in 1350. He joined the Dominicans in 1367 and gained fame for predicting grain shipments during a famine. Serving Cardinal Pedro de Luna, who later became antipope Benedict XIII, Vincent declined high offices. After recovering from a near-fatal illness following a vision, he began a successful preaching tour across Western Europe. A key figure in attempting to end the Great Western Schism, he advocated for Benedict XIII to resign. Vincent died in Vannes, Brittany, and was canonized by Pope Callistus III. St. Vincent Ferrer Time Period: 1350-1419 Feast Day: April 5 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Dominican Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Vincent Ferrer was a Spanish Dominican preacher. A native of Valencia, he joined the Dominicans in 1367 and was sent to Barcelona to complete his studies. After teaching at Lerida, he returned to Barcelona, where he earned fame for predicting accurately the timely arrival of grain ships during a famine. During the coming years, he became a member of the retinue of Cardinal Pedro de Luna, then a papal legate to the court of Aragon and the future antipope Benedict XIII. Vincent subsequently taught at the cathedral of Valencia. Summoned to Avignon, France, he took the position of confessor and apostolic penitentiary to antipope Benedict XIII, following de Luna’s irregular election as papal claimant in 1394. Vincent declined all offices and honors bestowed upon him by his patron, including the cardinalate. Vincent fell gravely ill and nearly died during a French siege of Avignon, recovering miraculously after beholding a vision of Christ, St. Dominic, and St. Francis of Assisi. In this vision, Vincent was told to go forth and preach, but he met resistance from antipope Benedict, who was reluctant to have him leave Avignon. In 1389, Benedict finally gave his permission, and Vincent launched upon a preaching tour across Western Europe. Eloquent and passionate, he attracted huge crowds of believers and was soon esteemed across Christendom. In Spain, he was named one of the nine judges to decide the succession to the crown of Aragon. King Ferdinand I, also known as Ferdinand the Just, was subsequently chosen. One of Vincent’s finest achievements was his effort to end the Great Western Schism, which had divided the Church since 1378. While he believed that Benedict XIII was the legitimate pontiff, Vincent nevertheless called publicly for him to step down for the good of the Church. He also spent much time preaching for an end to the schism in 1418. In his last years, he preached in northern France, including a sermon before the royal court at Caen in 1418. He died in Vannes, Brittany, and was canonized by Pope Callistus III. Next Item Previous Item

St. Joan of Arc, known as the Maid of Orleans, was a young French peasant girl who led her nation to a decisive victory during the Hundred Years’ War. Born in Domremy, France, in 1412, she began receiving visions from saints at age fifteen, urging her to save France. After gaining the trust of the future King Charles VII, she led the French army to victory at Orleans in 1429, paving the way for his coronation. Captured in 1430, she was condemned for heresy and burned at the stake in 1431. Declared innocent in 1456, Joan was canonized in 1920 and named patroness of France. St. Joan of Arc Time Period: 1412-1431 Feast Day: May 30 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Martyr Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Earth where St. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake St. Joan of Arc is known as the Maid of Orleans, or La Pucelle. She is the patron saint of France and she emerged from absolute obscurity to lead the armies of France to victory against the English at Orleans. Joan of Arc was born at Domremy, France, she was the daughter of Jacques d’Arc and was the youngest of five children. At fifteen she had her first vision, identified later as one of many in which she saw a light and heard the voices of Sts. Michael the Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria, Margaret of Antioch, and others who commanded her to save France. In 1428, she was initially unsuccessful in convincing the commanding offer of Vaucouleurs that she was sincere and genuine, she foretold the defeat of France in a battle in February 1429. She was able to use the fulfilled prophecies to gain an audience at the royal court of the uncrowned King Charles VII of France. In the famous episode, she stupefied the disguised dauphin by picking him out of a crowd where he had hidden himself and soon after won the approval of theologians at Poitiers. In return, she was given command of an army with the mission to free the besieged city of Orleans. Donning white armor, she led the French to shattering victory, and her relief of the city permitted Charles to be crowned king at Reims on July 17, 1429. The victory was also a major turning point in the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453), which was eventually won by France. Joan continued other military operations, but, as she predicted, she was captured by the Burgundians near Compiegne and sold to the English. Tried before a tribunal at Rouen under Bishop Pierre Cauchon, she was condemned for heresy and witchcraft on May 30, 1431, and burned at the stake. In 1456, Pope Callistus III ordered her trial to be reopened, and she was declared innocent of all charges. Popularly venerated throughout France for centuries, she was finally canonized in 1920; two years later she was declared the patron saint of France. Next Item Previous Item

The luminary, tireless servant of God known as Saint John Neumann was born in 1811 in Prachatice, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). Embracing a life of religious vocation, he joined the Redemptorist order and journeyed to the United States in 1836. John’s unwavering dedication to education led him to establish the first diocesan Catholic school system in America. In 1852, he became the Bishop of Philadelphia, where he fervently worked to support immigrants and foster spiritual growth. John’s humility, simplicity, and deep spirituality earned him sainthood, inspiring countless souls to seek God’s love in their lives. St. John Neumann Time Period: 1811-1860 Feast Day: January 5 Title/Attributes: Bishop, Confessor Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Bones Jan Nepomucký Neumann was born in Prachatitz on March 28, 1811, and was educated in the Seminary in Budéjovice, which then belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and then in Prague, where he completed his theological studies. His ordination having been postponed due to the excessive number of students preparing for the priesthood, the young Neumann went to Strasbourg, joining a mission project for America, wandered to Paris, then to Le Havre, from where he left, poor and alone, for New York. Here the Bishop at the time, Monsignor Dubois, ordained him a priest on June 25, 1836. Here, in the Niagara Falls region, in Williamsville, then in North Bush, he remained four years, all dedicated to the priestly ministry for the lumberjacks. His desire for perfection and community life led him to join the Redemptorists of Italian origin, always dedicating his ministry to German-speaking emigrants, first in Baltimore, where he took his religious vows, then in Pittsburgh, where he was called to lead the House that the Redemptorists had opened there. For three years Pittsburgh was his residence, with many engagements. Returning to Baltimore, he exercised the parish ministry in the church of St. Alphonsus, as the first Redemptorist parish priest in America, always first in work and sacrifice, always last in rest, always a model of regular religious observance. Here he had to accept, in 1852, the nomination to the episcopal see of Philadelphia. The new responsibilities doubled his pastoral zeal. Overcoming difficulties of every kind, he managed to found about one hundred Catholic schools, tireless in pastoral visits, in contact with the poor and hard-working people. He founded the first Italian Parish in Philadelphia, dedicated to the Florentine Saint Maria Maddalena de' Pazzi, and began the construction of the monumental Cathedral Church. He was in Italy in 1854 for the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and visited his country of origin. He wrote various works, including a famous Catechism, republished many times. He died, struck down by a sudden illness that struck him on the street on January 5, 1860; he was not yet 49 years old. He is buried in the Church of St. Peter in Philadelphia. https://www.causesanti.va/it/santi-e-beati/giovanni-nepomuceno-neumann.html Next Item Previous Item