Religious Education & Faith Life

St John Neumann

St. John Neumann was born on March 28, 1811, in a place called Prachatice, which is now in the Czech Republic. He was reported to be a very smart and hardworking child who loved to read books. When he grew up, he decided he wanted to become a priest and help people.

In 1836, John moved to the United States because there were not enough priests there. He was ordained as a priest in New York and later joined a group called the Redemptorists, who were dedicated to helping people in need. John worked very hard and became known for his kindness and dedication.

In 1852, John was made the Bishop of Philadelphia. As a bishop, he started the first Catholic school system in the United States, which helped many children get a good education. He also built many churches and helped the poor and sick.

John Neumann was known for his humility and deep faith. He died on January 5, 1860, but his legacy lived on. In 1977, he was declared a saint by the Catholic Church, making him the first male U.S. citizen to be canonised.