- December 3, 2023
2024 Spring On-Air Appeal – May 6-10 – Call 1-877-711-8500!
2024 Spring On-Air Appeal – May 6-10 – Call 1-877-711-8500!
John Neumann was born in Bohemia, under the Austrian Empire, in the year of Our Lord 1802, and was named after Bohemian martyr St. John of Nepomuk. An intelligent student, John pursued a vocation, but since his ordination was delayed he departed for America to serve as a missionary, and was ordained a priest in New York in 1836. For several years Father Neumann oversaw missionary efforts in Western New York, where his fluency in multiple languages was greatly useful; then in 1841 he joined the Redemptorist Order in Baltimore. He worked as a missionary in several other states before he was consecrated the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. Though he was not a particularly charismatic leader, Bishop Neumann was highly effective at building his diocese and instilling a Redemptorist spirit of charity wherever he went. He was the first U.S. bishop to spread the Forty Hours’ Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and produced two catechisms and numerous other writings. Bishop Neumann died of a stroke in 1860, and in 1977 he became the first male American citizen and first American bishop ever canonized.
THE vigil of the Epiphany of our Lord.
At Rome, in the time of Antoninus Pius, St. Telesphorus, pope, who, after many sufferings for the confession of Christ, underwent a glorious martyrdom.
In Egypt, during the persecution of Diocletian, the commemoration of many holy martyrs, who were put to death in Thebais by various kinds of torments.
At Antioch, St. Simeon, monk, who lived many years, standing on a pillar, and was, for that reason, called Stylites. His whole life was an unbroken series of wonders.
In England, St. Edward, king, illustrious by the virtue of chastity and the gift of miracles. His feast, by order of Pope Innocent XI, is celebrated on the 13th of October, when his sacred body was translated.
At Alexandria, St. Syncletica, whose noble deeds have been recorded by St. Athanasius.
At Rome, the holy virgin Emiliana, aunt of pope St. Gregory. Being called to God by her sister Tharsilla, who had preceded her, she departed for heaven on this day.
The same day, St. Apollinaris, virgin.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.
