‘In
all things, John Neumann was a model of fidelity’
Homily of
Cardinal Justin Rigali
Mass Celebrating the Feast of Saint John Neumann
Saint Peter the Apostle Church, Philadelphia
January 5, 2008
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 works 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.