Born in Bohemia, he emigrated to America, was ordained there and joined the Redemptorists to serve immigrant communities. As Bishop of Philadelphia he founded many parishes and schools, shaping the American parochial school system.
Life
Saint John Neumann was born in Bohemia in 1811. He longed to be a priest, but with so many priests at home ordination was hard to obtain, so in 1836 he came to America and was ordained in New York. He traveled widely through upstate New York serving German-speaking immigrants and later joined the Redemptorists.
Named bishop of Philadelphia in 1852, he heard confessions in several languages and built churches and schools throughout the diocese. He greatly expanded the parish school system, devoting himself to the education of immigrant children. He collapsed on a street and died in 1860, and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977.
Spirituality
John Neumann's spirituality is the humble, tireless love of a shepherd. Rather than drawing attention to himself, he worked so that immigrants could keep their faith in their own language. Through prayer, hard pastoral labor and education, he helped the faith take root in a new land.
Reflection
Saint John Neumann was himself an immigrant to America who built churches and schools for immigrants. What part could you take so that our Korean parish and faith community are handed on to the next generation?