January 5: Saint John Nepomucene Neumann, Bishop

Memorial

 Was born in Prachatitz was born in Bohemia (Czech Republic) on March 11, 1811. He studied theology in the seminary of Budweis.  Zealous for the missionary life and wanting to lead souls to Christ, he decided to leave his homeland to dedicate himself to the European immigrants in America, who were deprived of spiritual support.

He was ordained a priest by the bishop of New York, and gave himself to the pastoral care of people in the vast area around Niagra Falls.  Since he wanted to live in an religious community which corresponded more to his missionary vocation, he entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.  He was a tireless missionary,  busying himself in particular with the German immigrants, first in Baltimore, then in Pittsburg.  He filled the role vice-provincial of the Redemptorists from 1846-1849,  after which he became the parish priest of St. Alphonsus Church in Baltimore.  In 1852, at the age of 41, he was named bishop of Philadephia.  He had strong effect on the religious life of the United States by founding Catholic schools and promoting devotion to the Eucharist.  In two years the number of students in the parochial schools went from 500 to 9000.  He founded a new religious Institute: the Sistersof the Third Order of St. Francis.  In the brief space of 7 years he built 89 churches, several hospitals and orphanages.

A worthy son of St. Alphonsus, like him, he made a vow never to lose a minute of time. As a bishop he was holy and indefatigable.   Uninterruptedly he visited his vast diocese, on one occasion covering 40 kilometres of mountains by mule in order to  confirm a young girl who was sick.

On January 5, 1860, at the age of 49, he died suddenly of a heart attack in a street in Philadephia.   He was beatified during the 2 Vatican Council on October 13, 1963 and was canonized on June 19, 1977.  In the homily on the occasion of his canonization Paul VI summarized the activity of the new Saint in these words: " He was close to the sick, he loved to be with the poor, he was friend of sinners and now he is the glory of all emigrants."

Entrance Antiphon          The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.             (Ps 6:5-6)

OPENING PRAYER

O God,  you wished your bishop, Saint John to shine forth

for his pastoral ministry among the most abandoned.

Grant, that imitating his untiring zeal in the pursuit of holiness

by way of fulfilling his daily works,

we may be able to serve your church fruitfully.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

FIRST READING                                              (1 Corinthians 9:16-19.22-23)

Woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters,  If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!

For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel. For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM                                                             (Ps 23)

R.  The Lord leads us on the path of peace.

The Lord is my shepherd

there is nothing I shall want

Fresh and green are the pasteurs

where he gives me repose.

Near resful waters he leads me,

to revive my drooping spirit.   R.

He guides me along the right path;

He is true to his name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness

no evil would I fear.

You are there with your crook and your staff;

with these you give me comfort.  R.

You have prepared a banquet for me

in the sight of my foes.

My head you have anointed with oil;

my cup is overflowing.   R.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life.

In the Lord's own house shall I will

for ever and ever.   R.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION            (Jn 10:14)

R.  Allelulia, allelulia     

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;

I know my own and my own know me.

R.  Allelulia, Allelulia    

GOSPEL                       Jn 10: 1-16

A reading of the holy gospel according to John.

The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away‑‑and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

The gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

Graciously look down, O Lord,

upon the Sacrifice which we offer you

and ignite within us the fire of your love

with which the holy bishop John was aflame.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

PREFACE

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People:        And also with you.

Priest: Lift up your hearts.

People:        We lift them up to the Lord

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

People:        It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Father, all powerful and ever-living God,

we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks

through Jesus Christ Our Lord. 

You give the Church this feast

in honour of St.John Nepomucene Neumann.

You inspire us by his holy life,

instruct us by his preaching,

and give us your protection in answer to his prayers.

We join the angels and the saints

as they sing their unending hymn of praise:

Communion Antiphon            Truly I tell you,  you who have left everything and followed me, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.               (Mt 19:28.29)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

O God, you have nourished us in this eucharistic banquet

which,   in marvellous ways, unites the faithful of all times.

Grant,  we pray,  

that we may receive strength  from this heavenly bread

so that we may be enabled to attain  to the everlasting banquet

in the company of your saints.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.