Feast of St. John Neumann: January 5

Click here to read Very Rev. Patrick Woods’ homily.

On January 5, the Church celebrates the feast of St. John Neumann, a Redemptorist and the fourth bishop of Philadelphia. He is the first male American saint and was responsible, among many other things, for founding the Catholic school system.

Last Sunday, January 3, the faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Church in Philadelphia for a special Mass in anticipation of the feast. They joined with the Redemptorists to give thanks for the blessing of Neumann’s life. (View a slideshow of pictures below.)

Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali is expected to celebrate the 12:15 p.m. Mass on the January 5 feast day in the lower church at St. Peter’s. The lower church is home to the National Shrine of St. John Neumann. 

Neumann’s feast day in 2010 marks the 150th anniversary of his death. In 2011, Redemptorists will celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth.