Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint John Neumann with a special feast day Mass at the National Shrine. Saint John Neumann was the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia from 1852 until his death on January 5, 1860 at the age of 48. As Bishop, he was the founder of Catholic education in America and the first to organize a Diocesan Catholic school system.

Cardinal Rigali was present at the Vatican on June 19, 1977 for the canonization of Saint John Neumann. Saint John Neumann's body lies beneath the altar at the National Shrine which bears his name at Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia.

12:15 p.m.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
150th Anniversary Mass
Saint John Neumann National Shrine (lower church)
1019 North 5th Street (off Girard Ave.)
Philadelphia 19123


Cardinal Rigali called Saint John Neumann "an example for all of us, especially me, his successor in the Church of Philadelphia. Saint John Neumann's work among immigrants and the founding of Catholic schools reached perfection in his devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist."

Saint John Neumann will be remembered on the anniversary throughout Archdiocesan schools with special prayers and his contribution to Catholic education will again be remembered during Catholic Schools Week, which begins January 31, 2010. For more information about the National Shrine of Saint John Neumann, please visit www.stjohnneumann.org.

* * Media Advisory: With parking extremely limited, kindly park TV vans along Girard Avenue.

###

Contact
Kevin Mulligan
Associate Director for Communications
215-587-3747