ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Dear Friends,

It is always a great pleasure for me to join the Redemptorist Fathers and Brothers, the parishioners of Saint Peter the Apostle Parish, and the many priests, religious and lay faithful who are so devoted to Philadelphia’s beloved fourth Bishop, as we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint John Neumann. For me, personally, it is at once an honor and a humbling experience to be the Successor of a Saint, and I always derive great joy and consolation through his intercession. Moreover, especially in this Bicentennial year of the establishment of Philadelphia as a Diocese, it is most significant that we observe and celebrate the Feast Day of our Saint, who occupies such an important place in our history and in our hearts.

The life, witness and example of Saint John Neumann appeal to people from all walks of life and every corner of the world. Whether as a son and brother in a family, a student, an immigrant, a diocesan priest, a member of the Redemptorists, and the Bishop of a large and growing diocese, Saint John Neumann always sought the will of God, always strove to walk in the light of Christ, and always eagerly desired to draw as many as possible to the embrace of our Heavenly Father.

Small of stature, ordinary in his appearance, gentle in his demeanor, and always conscious of his limitations, John Neumann understood himself to be solely an instrument in the hands of God through whom God would accomplish His holy will. Those who were affected by the faithful ministry of Saint John Neumann then, as well as all of us who continue to be affected by his life and example now, find in him a great inspiration, a model of fidelity and hope.

The history of the Church—indeed all of salvation history—is a moving and beautiful story of how God chooses and uses the humble, the lowly, those considered least likely to impact the world, in order to fulfill His Plans. Our Liturgy of the Word provides us with the example of the Prophet Jeremiah. Chosen by God before he was "formed in the womb," Jeremiah hesitated to accept the lofty vocation of the prophet. "Ah, Lord God!... I know not how to speak; I am too young" (Jer 1: 6). Only when he understood the all-consuming urgency of the call of God did the young Prophet accept his mission. John Neumann, too, was hesitant, but ever obedient. The humble priest accepted the duties and office of Bishop out of obedience, but also in the certain knowledge that God was with him.

God never calls anyone to His service without providing them with every gift needed to accomplish the mission. To Jeremiah, God said: "See, I place my words in your mouth" (Jer 1: 9)! Saint Paul, in his Letter to the Ephesians, explained: "But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ" (Eph 4: 7, 11-12). The Psalmist also understood the nearness of God who accompanies us in moments of darkness, whose rod and staff give us courage (cf. Ps 23:4).

It was with trust and hope that John Neumann could offer himself for the service of the Church. Modeling himself after Jesus, the Good Shepherd, John Neumann was ever prepared to lay down his life for those entrusted to his pastoral care. Among his writings is found a moving prayer for those who were in his charge: "O my Jesus," wrote the humble Bishop, "though I am poor in so many ways and so ignorant, I have been chosen as a shepherd of Thy sheep. Give me an ever increasing love for those souls redeemed by Thy precious Blood, that I may labor at their salvation in wisdom, patience and holiness. Grant that not one of those Thou hast confided to me may be lost through my fault. O my Jesus, help me to sanctify those committed to my care.... Lord, teach me how to live and, if need be, to die, that all may be saved, that all may love and praise Thee throughout all eternity."

In all things, John Neumann was a model of fidelity. As a Priest, as a Missionary, as a Religious, and as a Bishop, he never shrank from his duty as a shepherd of souls, for the source of his strength was the Passion of Christ, as reflected in his episcopal motto: Passio Christi Conforta Me. In the face of every trial and obstacle, John Neumann derived his peace, his strength and his perseverance from union with Jesus Crucified and Risen, present in the Holy Eucharist.

John Neumann also is a model of hope. We can only imagine the range of emotions which filled the mind and the heart of the young Bishop when he arrived in Philadelphia. The sophisticated culture of the prominent and historic city; the vast needs of Catholic immigrants who arrived daily; and the oppressively fierce anti-Catholic sentiment which marred the face of the City of Brotherly Love had to be overwhelming to one who felt unsuited for the duties and dignity of the episcopal office. But, in spite of his inner struggles, he never succumbed to discouragement. Bishop Neumann plowed ahead—founding parishes, building schools, inviting Religious Communities, and fostering Eucharistic devotion. His was a vision of what could be possible when the needs of the day were met with prayer and perseverance, along with faith, hope and charity.

In this milestone moment in the history of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, we face challenges and opportunities, not unlike those met by Saint John Neumann. Daily, we observe the diversity of cultures and all the peoples who arrive within our Archdiocese. We recommit ourselves to the irreplaceable value of Catholic Education, as we seek ways to build up, strengthen and make more available our treasured parochial schools. We are edified by the increased desire of people to participate in Eucharistic Adoration. Many wonderful services are provided daily by the parishes, schools and institutions of our Archdiocese. In all things, the light and love of Jesus radiate through the daily faithful and hope-filled people of our Archdiocese, who, like Saint John Neumann, practice Christian virtue in the ordinary moments of life.

As we reflect on our 200-year history, as we observe the present moment, and as we gaze toward a hope-filled future for our Archdiocese, we can be inspired by the timeless words of Pope Benedict XV, who in 1921 declared: "Perhaps the simplicity of this type of holiness has been exaggerated by those who thought that they could not recognize a heroic degree of virtue in the Servant of God because—in their opinion—the good and holy works performed by Neumann were the good and holy works that every pious religious, every missionary zealous for the salvation of souls, and every good bishop is supposed to do. There is no need to repeat that the most simple of works, if carried out with constant perfection in the midst of inevitable difficulties, can bring every Servant of God to the attainment of a heroic degree of virtue. Rather, precisely in the simplicity of these woks we find a great argument on the basis of which we can say to the faithful of every age: ‘You are all obliged to venerate Venerable Neumann’"(Pope Benedict XV, quoted by Alfred C. Rush, C.SS.R., "The Second Vatican Council, 1962-1965, and Bishop Neumann," in He Spared Himself In Nothing: Essays on the Life and Thought of St. John Nepomucene Neumann, C.SS.R., Joseph F. Chorpenning, O.S.F.S., ed.).

At this historic moment, I pray that we all imitate the example of Saint John Neumann. As we celebrate today and as we lay the groundwork for tomorrow, may we be men and women of fidelity and hope. May we live Christian virtue in our ordinary lives but in extraordinary ways. Let us continue to look to Saint John Neumann for he leads us to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.