Life of Right Rev. John N. Neumann, D.D., Fourth Bishop of Philadelphia

FOURTH BISHOP °f PHILADELPHIA,

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John ^.

C.SS.R., D.D.

Fourth Bishop of Philadelphia

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He shone in his days as the
morning star in the midst of a
cloud . . . and as the sun when
it shineth, so did he shine in the
temple of God (Ecclus. L. 6-7).

LIFE

OF

Rigljt Rev. JOHN H. Iffii, D.D.

OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER.

FOURTH BISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA.

From the German of

REV. JOHN A. BERGER, C.SS.R.,

BY

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#•#

REV. EUGENE GRIMM, C.SS.R.

NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, AND ST. LOUIS!

BENZIGER BROTHERS,

PRINTERS TO THE HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE.

1884.

APPROBATION.

By virtue of the authority granted me by the Most
Rev. Nicholas Mauron, Superior-General of the Congre
gation of the Most Holy Redeemer, I hereby sanction
the publication of this translation of the " Life of Right
Rev. John N. Neumann, C.SS.R."

ELIAS FRED. SCHAUER,

Sup. Prov. Baltimoricnsis.
Baltimore, Md., January 3, 1884.

iOCT 2 2

COPYRIGHT, 1884. BY BENZIGER BROTHERS.

LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE AUTHOR

BY THE

MOST REV. JAMES FREDERICK

ARCHBISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA.

REVEREND AND DEAR FATHER: i A

It was to me a source of great gratification when I
heard that you were preparing for publication the Life
of your illustrious uncle, the Right Rev. John Nepomu-
cene Neumann, my venerable predecessor. I thought
that it was but right and proper that a record should be
made of his many virtues, that they might serve to all
as an example worthy of contemplation and imitation.

I also rejoice that the work was undertaken by one
who has had at his disposal solid material derived from
the annals of his time and from the traditions of his
brethren in religion.

My first acquaintance with the Right Rev. Bishop
Neumann began in Cincinnati in 1857, when he kindly
came there to assist at my consecration as his Coadjutor.
As the Bishop died in 1860, I had a little less than three
years to enjoy his society, yet long enough to be edified
by his example and aided by his advice. I became con
vinced that he had all the learning and virtue necessary
to adorn the high position which he occupied. I still
admire his lively faith, his firm hope, and his burning
charity, his fortitude, and his constancy in the discharge
of all his apostolic duties.

6 Life of Bishop Neumann.

I am, therefore, fully persuaded that his Life will be
interesting, instructive, and edifying; that it will serve
as a model for our youth, as an example for priests and
religious, and as an ornament of the episcopal office.

I could record many incidents that happened during
the life of the venerable prelate, but his biography will
contain them as well as other facts that will show forth
his noble character, and will stimulate its readers to imi
tate his virtues. Hoping that there may also be an Eng
lish translation of the Life,

I am, reverend and dear Father,

With much esteem and affection,
Your servant in Christ,

-f- JAMES F. WOOD,
Archbishop of Philadelphia.
CATHEDRAL, PHILADF .PHIA, October 4, 1881.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

ALTHOUGH twenty-two years have elapsed since the
death of Bishop John N. Neumann, he still lives in the
hearts of all that knew him; and many have expressed
the wish that his memory should be preserved, his biog
raphy written for the edification of posterity.

For this reason, Superiors several years ago entrusted
to me the task of compiling his Life — a task whose
accomplishment was by no means easy. For although
the servant of God performed many great deeds, his ex
traordinary humility enabled him to conceal them, in a
measure, from the eyes of all save God alone. The dio
cesan archives of his time record nothing calculated to
throw light upon the subject; and the missionaries who
labored with him, comparatively few in number, were
too much occupied with the care of souls to record a
history of their trials and labors. Sufficient material
was, however, soon collected from which the Life of the
holy Bishop could, to some considerable extent, be faith
fully portrayed. From the members of his immediate
family, his brother and sisters, many interesting and re
liable communications were received; but his own let
ters and, above all, his own journal have proved valuable
sources of information. They afford a consoling glimpse
into his noble heart and elevated soul.

Thanks are due to all that have aided me in the fulfil
ling of my task. Any additional communications will be
gratefully received and used in a subsequent edition.

8 Life of Bishop Nettmann.

In compliance with the decree of Pope Urban VIII.,
I declare that to the miracles, revelations, graces, and
wonders recorded in this book, as also in reference to
the titles Saint and Blessed given to persons not yet can
onized, it is not my intention to ascribe any other than
a purely human faith, excepting, however, in those cases
which the Roman Catholic Church has confirmed by
her judgment.

If this Life of Bishop Neumann should stimulate the
reader to a more fervent practice of the love of God, I
shall be richly compensated for my labor. May it serve
to edify the faithful and encourage my brethren in re
ligion in the discharge of the onerous duties of their
state of life !

>»*r^*'>x, v^ , hj^* <*<jf fc^, >v-v
& </

BALTIMORE, FEAST OF ST. WENCESLAUS, 1882.

Fiftieth Anniversary of the Arrival of the Redemptorists in America.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Letter of the Most Rev. James Frederick Wood 5

Preface 7

PART I.
NEUMANN'S YOUTH.— 1811-1836.

CHAPTER

I. Birthplace and Childhood II

II. Student-Life 26

III. The Seminary at Budweis 39

IV. At the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Prague 45

V. His Piety as a Seminarian 50

VI. Trials and Sufferings 72

VII. Preparations for Departure to America 95

VIII. Departure from Home no

IX. Voyage to the New World 141

PART II.

JOHN N. NEUMANN AS A SECULAR PRIEST.— 1836-1840.

I. John Neumann is Raised to the Dignity of the Priest
hood 150

II. Rev. Mr. Neumann Starts for the Scene of his Future

Labors 155

III. Father Neumann's Field as a Missionary 159

IV. Father Neumann's Zeal in the Discharge of his Ministry. . 166
V. Trials and Sufferings in the Ministry 182

VI. Father Neumann and Non-Catholics 191

VII. Father Neumann's Missionary Plans 201

VIII. Father Neumann's own Sanctification 208

IX. Father Neumann's Vocation to the Religious Life 216

io Contents.

PART III.
FATHER NEUMANN A REDEMPTORIST.— 1840-1852.

I. The Redemptorists in America 222

II. St. Philomena's Church, Pittsburg, and St. Alphonsus',

Baltimore 238

III. Father Neumann a Novice among the Redemptorists 246

IV. Father Neumann Superior of the Redemptorists, Pitts-
burg 260

V. Father Neumann Vice- Provincial of the Redemptorists in

America 282

VI. Father Neumann's Labors as Vice-Provincial 290

VII. Father Neumann is Raised to the Episcopate 320

PART IV.

FATHER NEUMANN AS BISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA—

1852-1860.

I. The Diocese of Philadelphia 323

II. Bishop Neumann's Arrival in Philadelphia 326

III. Bishop Neumann's Pastoral Charge 334

IV. The Establishment of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of

Philadelphia 342

V. Bishop Neumann's Solicitude for his Clergy 350

VI. Bishop Neumann's Solicitude for the Religious of his

Diocese 361

VII. Bishop Neumann's Reverence and Devotion in the Per
formance of Sacred Functions 371

VIII. The Building of the Cathedral 381

IX. Bishop Neumann visits Rome and his Native Place 386

X. Bishop Neumann is Assigned a Coadjutor 414

XL Some Traits of Bishop Neumann's Saintly Character 420

XII. Death and Obsequies of Bishop Neumann 430

XIII. Bishop Neumann's Reputation for Sanctity. Extraordi
nary Effects of his Intercession 450

PART I.

NEUMANN'S YOUTH.
1811-1836.

CHAPTER I.
Birthplace and Childhood.

IN a rich and highly-cultivated valley in the south
western part of Bohemia, lies the ancient city of
Prachatitz. The surrounding mountains, towering up
to a considerable height, their summits clothed with
dense foliage and pine-forests, afford a grand and
imposing view.

The natural beauties of this charming region, as well
as its historical associations, attract thither during the
summer months visitors from all parts, who, having
inhaled new vigor from its fresh mountain-breezes, leave
with regret so delightful a spot.

As early as the year 1036, Prachatitz was an important
little city, the chief depot of trade between Bavaria and
Bohemia. The road leading from it to Passau is called,
even at the present day, "The Golden Path," since from
the intercourse between these two places, the inhabitants
derived great gain.

Some of its edifices, though centuries old, are still so
well preserved as to suggest the probability of their out
lasting many a modern structure. Their frescos are
still bright, and the inscriptions in Hebrew, Greek,

12 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Latin, Bohemian, and German, are not only discernible,
but may be readily deciphered. On the city brewery
is an excellent fresco representing a hard-fought battle
of the olden times from which the inhabitants came
forth victorious. On the town-hall and several private
houses are portrayed in vivid colors the kings and
patron saints of the country, as also allegorical repre
sentations of Faith, Hope, and Charity, whilst numerous
texts from Holy Scripture suggest the practice of justice,
prudence, and patriotism. The finest and most impor
tant monument of the city is the old parish church, built
at the beginning of the fourteenth century, which was
destined to become in after-years the scene of distress
ing events.

Under the reign of Sigismund (1410-1437) the German
Empire was exposed to various religious and political
disturbances. It was at Prague that Huss made himself
notorious, publicly announcing his errors from the pul
pit and the professorial chair. Obstinately persisting
in his heresy at the Convention of Kostnitz, he was,
by order of the court, burnt alive on July 6, 1415. One
year later a similar fate befell his disciple and friend,
Jerome of Prague.

Their followers, exasperated by such treatment, gath
ered around their daring leader, John Zizka, and at
tacked the Government House at Prague. Then these
fanatics, who called themselves Hussites, or Taborites,
rushed upon the Catholics, whom they plundered and
murdered, and set fire to convents and churches. One
of their unjust demands was that laymen should be
allowed to drink- out of the chalice at Holy Communion,
and in their processions they often bore the chalice
before them like a banner. In November, 1420, Zizka
appeared with his enraged followers before the town of
Prachatitz. The gates had been locked, the draw
bridge raised, and the citizens ranged on the walls to
defend their city. Zizka, in a friendly tone, called out to

Birthplace and Childhood. 13

them to surrender: "Open the gates that we and our
priests may enter with the Most Sacred Body of Christ.
We promise to do you no harm." The besieged, with
Christian boldness, answered, "We want neither your
Body of Christ nor your priests. We have our own
Body of Christ; we have our own priests!" Enraged at
this answer, Zizka cried out, " I swear by the Almighty,
not one of you shall live; I will put you all to death !"
The Catholics defended themselves heroically, but were
vanquished, at last, by the superior force of the enemy.
The savage Hussites scaled the walls, massacred the
defenders, beat down the gates, poured into the city like
a devastating flood, and slew two hundred and thirty-
five of the inhabitants in the streets. Still thirsting for
carnage, they forced their way into the houses, dragged
the frightened occupants from their hiding-places,
butchered the men, and drove the defenceless women
and children from the city.

After this cruel massacre, the Hussites remained in
undisturbed possession of Prachatitz. To crown his
impious deeds, Zizka caused eighty-five of the citizens
to be locked up in a side-chapel of the principal church
and, deaf to their cries for mercy, ordered straw soaked
in pitch to be lighted and thrown down upon them from
above.

In their death-struggles these martyrs for the faith
vainly tried to force the iron window-grating, which even
at the present day is pointed out in its bent state, as a
memorial of the terrible event.

For nearly two hundred years the heretics occupied
the city, whose beautiful church they abused and pro
faned. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) brought a
change in affairs. As the first religious disturbances had
broken out in Bohemia, under Huss, one hundred years
before the so-called Reformation, so, too, did the Thirty
Years' War take its rise in the same country. During
the reign of the Emperor Mathias, Protestant tenants of

14 Life of Bishop Neumann.

the Archbishop of Prague, relying on the imperial re
script given them by the Emperor, Rudolph II., erected
churches at Klostergrab, whilst those of the Abbot of
Braunau did the same. The rescript had, however, been
granted only to the Protestant lords and knights, and
not to the Protestant tenants of Catholic landlords, as
was decided by both the court and the Emperor.

On the 23d of May, 1618, Count Thurn, with a body
of Protestant Bohemians, made his way into the royal
castle, seized the imperial councillors and hurled them
out the windows. Daily increasing in numbers, the
malcontents expelled the Jesuits, and placed the supreme
authority in the hands of a regency composed of thirty
directors.

The Protestants had, in 1608, formed a compact called
"*The Union," at the head of which was Frederick of the
Palatinate, who sent the insurgents auxiliary troops
under the command of Count Mansfeld. And now the
flames of revolt burst forth. The Emperor Mathias
was succeeded by Ferdinand II. The rebels discarded
the new Emperor, and at Prague solemnly crowned
Frederick of the Palatinate leader of the Protestant
Union. With the aid of the brave Tilly, the usurper
was, however, defeated at White Mountain, near Prague,
November 8, 1820, by Maximilian of Bavaria, head of the
Catholic League.

In 1619, Mansfeld's troops occupied the city of
Prachatitz as a frontier fortress; but on September 27,
of the following year, they were vanquished after a
bloody battle with the imperial forces under Count
Boucquoi.

Peregrin, in his Chronicles, gives a sad picture of that
fearful combat in which eighteen hundred soldiers lost
their lives. Hundreds of cannon-balls may still be seen
in various openings of the city wall, striking proofs of
the sanguinary attack.

While Mansfeld held Prachatitz, its Catholics num-

" t/L^*

y^iWW

Birthplace and Childhood. 15

bered only eighty-eight. They assembled for divine
service in the side-chapel of St. Barbara. Six years
later, however, all the inhabitants returned to the faith
which St. Adalbert had preached to their forefathers.
The church of Sts. Peter and Paul is said to have been
dedicated by the same holy Bishop.*

In this ancient and memorable city, on Good-Friday,
March 28, 1811, the subject of the present biography
was born. On the same day his soul was regenerated
to the .life of grace in the church of the Apostle St.
James Major. His sponsors, John and Barbara Marek,
a truly Christian husband and wife, named him John
after the glorious protector of Bohemia.

To the new-born child was granted the inestimable
blessingof good and pious parents. Philip Neumann, his
father, born at Obernburg, Bavaria, October 16, 1774,
had come to Bohemia and settled in Prachatitz in 1802,
making choice of this city because into it his business
of stocking-weaving had not yet been introduced. Here
he married Agnes Lebis, the virtuous daughter of one of
the citizens.

God blessed their union with six children, to whom
the pious parents imparted a truly Christian education.
John, whose birth and baptism we have just recorded,
was the third child. The eldest daughter, Catherine,
married Mathias Berger, who left her a widow in 1848,
when she chose a life of seclusion devoted to God alone.
Her only son entered the religious state and became a
priest. Veronica, the second child, was united in mar
riage to Anthony Kandl, and died in 1850 without off- <••
spring. Joanna, the fourth child, entered at Prague, in
1840, among the Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Bor-
romeo, and took the name of Sr. Mary Caroline. These
religious had recently been introduced into Bohemia
from Nancy, in Lorraine. At present they are laboring

* St. Adalbert died a martyr in 997.
C

Ate U. }\V , *M</C.J //*o

1 6 Life of Bishop Neumann.

successfully in various communities, in prisons and
orphanages. Since her profession, Sr. Mary Caroline
has constantly exercised the office of Superioress, and
for a long time that of Superioress-General. The fifth
child, Aloysia, has, since the death of her much-loved
father, been with the same Sisters of St. Charles Bor-
romeo. The youngest child was a son, named Wences-
laus. He learned his father's trade, and was destined to
succeed him in the business; but Almighty God had
ordained otherwise. He followed his brother John to
America, where he has been since 1841 a lay-brother in
the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. Such
were the consoling fruits of conscientious and religious
training on the part of parents whose earnest endeavor
was to give good example to their children.

The fear of God reigned in their household, and the
works of a genuine Christian life were zealously per
formed by all its members. It was soon well known in
the little town that if one of Philip Neumann's work
men dared to utter an improper word on his employer's
premises, he would be suffered to make his appearance
there no longer. Morning and evening, before and after
meals, prayer was made in common, the head of the
family presiding. Business ceased earlier than usual on
Saturday afternoon, that the workrooms might be
cleaned and the employees free from labor on Sunday.

Philip Neumann was a man of very active habits.
He was never seen idle. " Early to bed and early to
rise" was his motto; and his whole life was an exempli
fication of the proverb, " Eat little, live long."

His eminent virtues, above all his prudence, rendered
him conspicuous among his fellow-citizens, who elected
him to several public offices, the duties of which he con
scientiously discharged to the satisfaction of all. It
was as city-almoner that he especially distinguished
himself; for during his administration of that office a
beggar on the streets was a rare sight. He levied a

Birthplace and Childhood. 17

poor-tax, and with the proceeds established a fund for
the relief of the indigent according to their needs. Here
he acted with his usual discretion. To thes destitute
through their own improvidence or extravagance he
furnished food and fuel, but withheld money lest they
should squander it; and he provided that young jour
neymen should be supported by the guilds. The gen
eral esteem for Mr. Neumann was so great that not unfre-
quently the people, young and old, would kiss his hand
when they met him on the street.

Passion never influenced his actions, as the following
instance will prove. His little daughters, it seems, were
great admirers of scalloped dresses. One of them, in
her childlike simplicity, conceived the happy idea of
affording her father a most unexpected pleasure, a most
agreeable surprise. Watching her opportunity, she
slipped unnoticed to the wardrobe where hung her
father's holiday suit, took down the coat and, as skilfully
as she could, scalloped the skirt. Next Sunday, the un
suspecting father donned the coat, and was about start
ing for church when some one drew his attention to
its unusual ornamentation. Convinced that one of the
little girls had been trying her skill on his coat, he called
them together and inquired which of them had done it.
But no answer came from the startled group; no ac
knowledgment of guilt was made. Displeased at their
want of candor, the father quietly changed the coat for an
other, and went to church. On his return, he tried again
to discover the author of the mischief. " If I could find
out who scalloped my coat so beautifully," said he, " I
would give her a twenty-cent piece." Instantly one of
the children cried out, ''Father, I did it, I did it !" The
little offender did, indeed, receive the promised reward;
but, at the same time, she underwent a suitable punish
ment, not because she had spoiled the coat, but because
she had delayed to confess her fault.

The following incident portrays Mr. Neumann's Chris-

1 8 Life of Bishop Neumann.

tian sentiments. He had been frequently warned that a
certain poor man was in the habit of committing petty
thefts at his expense. At first Mr. Neumann would not
credit the report, his charity inclining him to think well
of all. But finally the thief was caught in the act, and
Mr. Neumann himself sought an interview with him.
In trembling tones he thus addressed the offender:
"You know, my friend, that God sees even our most
hidden thoughts. How dare you, then, offend against
the Almighty?" The poor man was so affected by his
words and manner that he began to shed tears. " For
give me!" he cried, "I was driven to it by necessity."
Mr. Neumann replied: " Had you mentioned your needs
to me, I would gladly have relieved them. For the
future, come to me when you are in want, but never re
sort to theft again." The poor fellow was deeply hum
bled. He received a large alms on the spot, and, to fill
up the measure of his forgiveness, Mr. Neumann for
bade the two witnesses to speak of the affair, that the
man's reputation might not suffer.

Let us here record the testimony of the venerable
Father Schmidt, at that time Catechist and Director of
the city school. In a letter dated February 27, 1872, he
says: " The parents of Bishop Neumann were plain
people of Prachatitz, but highly distinguished for their
thoroughly Christian conduct and industry. The father
was specially noted for his activity as city-councilman
and city-almoner. The Christian education which their
children received was truly exemplary. So well trained
were they that a look from their parents had more effect
upon them than corporal punishment on other children."

In the practice of all good works, Mr. and Mrs. Neu
mann were models for imitation. Their biography, writ
ten by their illustrious son himself, records the following:
"Our education was conducted in accordance with the
good old Catholic method, for our parents were thorough
Christians. After morning prayers, our father superin-

Birthplace and Childhood. 19

tended his workmen until evening. Our mother daily
heard Mass, to which she always took one or other of
the children. She received Holy Communion and fasted
on certain days besides those prescribed by the Church.
That one of us who had been so fortunate as to be
chosen to accompany her to Mass, to the Rosary, or
to the Way of the Cross, generally received a penny
or some other trifling reward." This circumstance gave
rise to the following ingenuous remark on the part of
one of their young companions. His mother was ex
horting him to imitate John's assiduity in attending
church, when the little fellow replied, " Mother, give me
a penny every day, and I will do the same; I'll be just
like him."

It was an acknowledged fact that when Mr. Neumann
no longer held the office of city-almoner, beggars began
again to frequent the streets. Certain days, Fridays es
pecially, were set apart by Mrs. Neumann for the distri
bution of alms. Then, prayer-book or rosary in hand,
a bag of flour and a basket of bread at her side, she
would take her seat near the door and deal out to the
poor according to their needs. Her donations were al
ways accompanied by a few kind and instructive words.
Others received a breakfast or a dinner on specified days.
To relieve the wants of the poor was her delight, and,
like a wise and prudent mother, she strove to instil into
her children an active love for their neighbor. She
taught them that virtue, to be of value, must spring from
the heart; and, to accustom them to its practice, she often
placed in their tiny hands the alms to be distributed
among the needy. She lost no opportunity of instruct
ing them, and a few simple words from her lips sufficed
to incline them to good. One day her daughters com
plained of their own plain clothes, whilst other girls of
their age were dressed according to the fashions. ''If
there is any good in you," replied their mother, "it needs
no finery to show it off. If you think to make yourselves

2O Life of Bishop Neumann.

something by wearing fine clothes, you clearly show that
you are nothing."

She greatly disliked to hear the faults of others dis
cussed, and if any one so far forgot himself in her pres
ence as to lessen the good reputation of his neighbor,
she met the indiscreet remarks with words like these:
" Such talk can do no good. We all have our fault , and
yet God is so patient with us."

The upright, straightforward principles of this family
failed not to attract the attention of every beholder.
Mr. Neumann abhorred flattery and deception. His in
structions to his sons and nephew on their departure
from home he terminated by this warning: " Beware of
flatterers! The flatterer is a deceiver, a wily thief whose
aim is to obtain something from you to your detriment.
Never trust a flatterer!"

The above brief remarks go to show what an example
John Neumann had in his own venerated parents, out
side of whose home he found no pleasure. Let us now
pass on to our proper subject.

Almighty God usually surrounds His chosen souls
from their very childhood with His special providence,
and endows them with peculiar aptitude for the acquisi
tion of virtue — a fact clearly exhibited in the subject of
this biography. The child was not yet three years old,
when he was saved by some invisible influence from a
fatal accident. He fell through an open door into a cel
lar fifteen feet deep without sustaining the least injury.
His mother always felt that God had protected her child,
and she frequently recurred to the fact in the presence
of the other children, to stimulate them to gratitude to
their Creator, and confidence in the divine assistance.

At an early age, the Christian virtues, and especially
the love of God, sprang up in the heart of the favored
child. His fervor in attending divine service was, as we
have already remarked, of such a nature that he was
held up by the neighbors as a model to their children.

Birthplace and Childhood. 21

The thought of sin filled him with alarm; to offend God
was his greatest horror. Only once, as his eldest sister
testifies, was he punished by his father, and that was for
telling an untruth. This punishment he never forgot.
In later years he used to say, "That correction did me
good, for I never after told a lie." When, years after, he
visited his native city as Bishop of Philadelphia, he
again thanked his father for that long-remembered pun
ishment.

In November, 1818, at the age of seven, John began to
attend the city school, where, for the next six years, he
was always the same gentle, pious, diligent lad, holding
among his school-fellows the highest rank in class. Dur
ing his first year at school an incident occurred which
though apparently trifling, yet shows the boy's extraor
dinary conscientiousness. His little five-year-old sister
begged one day to be taken to school, and John humored
the childish whim. But when he saw his companions
losing time in chatting and amusing themselves with the
little girl, he resolved that in future she should stay at
home. "I'll not take you to school any more," said he,
on their way home. " You distract the scholars; they do
not attend to the teacher."

A short cut through the city square led from his home
to the school. But when John found that it was a rendez
vous for mischievous boys, he took another route to es
cape witnessing their noisy games. He preferred amus
ing himself at home in the company of some young
companions with whom his parents allowed him to asso
ciate.

The Catechist of the parish church speaks of him in
these words: "I admired John Neumann even as a little
boy. When I looked at him I thought of what is written
of St. John the Baptist: 'What an one, think ye, shall
this child be?' (Luke i. 66.) He was always so gentle,
so good, so excellent a pupil, that by my advice, even
when he was in the lowest class, his teacher, Mr. Chlauda,

22 Life of Bishop Neumann.

appointed him monitor of the new scholars. Later on,
in the upper class, I gave him the duty of correcting his
companions' exercises. The task of tendering public
thanks to the trustees, and of making the address to his
schoolmates, usually devolved upon him."

He was nearly always monitor over the other boys,
who both esteemed and loved him for his invariable
justice toward them. He highly appreciated his school-
duties ; he was never known to be late, and he never
voluntarily absented himself. If, in the morning, his
parents required any little duty or errand of him, he
cheerfully set about its fulfilment, mindful all the while,
however, that school-time was drawing near.
; His vocation of ^after-life early manifested itself. He
erected a little altar, decorated it with lights and flowers,
and, assisted by his young companions, he frequently
" said Mass."

During his last year at school he was, on account of
his modesty and recollectedness, admitted to the honor
of serving in the sanctuary of the parish church. So
great was his reverence for the Holy Sacrifice that he
would not break his fast before serving, even at High
Mass.

His darling inclination, the one which followed him
through life, which gained strength as years rolled on,
was an intense yearning for study and reading. Books
were the joy of his heart. His parents procured him a
book-case well supplied with good and useful matter for
his perusal; and who can say how often these treasures
were handled, their leaves turned ? This was the boy's
greatest pleasure. He tells us in his journal: "From
my good father, who well knew the value of books, I had
inherited a passion for reading. Whilst the other boys
were romping, catching birds, etc., I was poring over my
books. My mother used to chide me, sometimes, and
call me book-mad, a bibliomaniac."

Here we discover in the boy of ten or twelve that thirst

Birthplace and Childhood. 23

for learning which was never content with a superficial
knowledge of things. He dived into first principles, and
not unfrequently his abstruse questioning puzzled both
parents and teachers. About this time John and his
little brother Wenceslaus roomed together. One night
the latter ran to his mother complaining that John would
not go to sleep. The mother anxiously arose and hur
ried to see if anything ailed her boy. What was her
indignation, on entering the room, to hear her young
philosopher propounding to her the question: "Mother,
how is it that our earth floats in the air without falling?"
"Let it float! You have not to hold it," was the curt
answer. " God takes care of that. All you have to do
is to go to sleep and not disturb your brother." And
the obedient boy turned on his pillow to follow the
maternal injunction.

The education of his heart kept pace with that of his
mind. His neighbors' woes aroused his deepest sympa
thy. Once he saw a poor little child going from door to
door with a bag on his back. His heart was touched,
and in his childish compassion he exclaimed, "Oh, if I
only had a bag, I could go about begging with the poor
boy, and then he would get more !"

He could never be induced to keep for himself any
little present he might receive. Gifts from his god
parents were so distributed among his brother and
sisters that the smallest share always fell to himself ; and
he would often run away lest a larger portion would be
forced upon him.

One day whilst amusing himself with several com
panions at a game, in which each of the players mentions
what he desires to become in after-life, John was the only
one who kept silence. His mother, who was quietly
noticing what was going on, questioned her boy after
ward as to what he would like to be. " Mother," he
answered, " I would like to be something, if it did not
cost so much money."

24 Life of Bishop Neumann.

We shall soon see that God so ordained that money
should prove no obstacle to the fulfilment of the boy's
pious desires.

It is customary among the Bohemians to make on
some occasions three small crosses on the forehead, lips,
and heart, respectively, instead of the large Latin cross.
It so happened that one day at table John inadvertently
signed himself with the latter, whereupon an old maid
servant cried out, " Look at little John ! he wants to be
a priest !" His mother often adverted to this appar
ently insignificant circumstance in her son's presence,
for she dearly longed to see him enter the service
of God. John's secret aspirations seconded his good
mother's desires, but his notions of the dignity of the
priesthood were so elevated that he believed it far
above his efforts to attain. - ...

In his seventh year he made his first confession, and in
his ninth, as an exceptional favor, he was permitted to
receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Scarcely was
he ten years old when he was familiar with the so-called
Large Catechism, and was deemed sufficiently instructed
to receive First Communion with boys two years his
senior. From this period his fervent piety made him
long for the Bread of Angels, and he communicated as
often as his confessor permitted. In after-life he some
times reverted to the care with which he prepared
for Holy Communion in those innocent childhood
days.

The good old Catholic custom of teaching Latin, during
their last year at school, to those boys who intended to
pursue the study of the sciences still existed in his native
place. When John was asked whether he too did not
wish to study Latin, the boy at first hesitated to speak
his mind on the subject, lest he might afterward prove a
burden to his family. The Catechist, however, soon
calmed his fears, his parents' consent was obtained, and
from that time forward, with ten or twelve others, he

Birthplace and Childhood. 25

daily spent a considerable time in the study of the
classics.

Whilst still a boy he evinced great love for the beauties
and wonders of nature. His leisure moments were spent
in the garden of the Catechist, where he loved to work
among the flowers. Here he began the study of botany,
in which he afterward became so proficient that even at
the present day we may marvel at the advance he made
in it.

26 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER II.
Student-Life.

AT twelve years^pkf John was ready to enter a gym
nasium, and it was decided that he should be sent
to Budweis, the episcopal see, distant one day's journey
from Prachatitz. Toward the close of October, 1823,
the young student presented himself as a candidate for
examination, through which he passed successfully. In
every branch he received the note " Very good," and was
found worthy of admission to the " First Class with dis
tinction."

Again we meet his considerate affection for his parents.
To reduce his expenses he clubbed with three other stu
dents for a room, an arrangement which he afterward
regretted when he found himself deprived of that quiet
and seclusion so necessary to successful study. He com
plained of this later, and to it attributed the little head
way he made in his studies during his first two years at
Budweis. He learned very little, but in fact he had lit
tle to learn at the time. His good Catechist must have
instructed him well, since he so readily gained admit
tance to the Third Grade of the gymnasium. The days
of his childhood had flown by unclouded and happy,
leaving their sweet remembrance to brighten after-years.

But now Almighty God, who had great designs over
the pious boy, allowed various trials and annoyances to
cross his path; not yet launched into life, he was to taste
some of its bitterness. He was confided to the care of a
teacher who reflected little honor on his calling. Of this
period John writes as follows: "We had for professor a
very old, very good-natured anan, who was unfortunately

Student-Life. 2 7

addicted to liquor. We made, as may be imagined, no
progress in our studies. I even forgot much of what
the Catechist at home had taught me. During the third
year, our professor came, intoxicated as usual, to the
examination presided over by the Reverend Superinten
dent. The unfortunate man was of course compelled to
withdraw. He soon after died by his own hand. His
successor was as strict as he was learned, and wished us
to crowd into six months the studies of two years and a
half. This was, however, requiring too much of most of
the pupils, especially as we had contracted habits of care
lessness under his predecessor. The result was, as
might be expected, that many of them remained behind.
I was even more dissatisfied with our teacher of Chris
tian Doctrine. He was the very personification of dry-
ness and a great stickler for verbatim recitations. But,
as I had no memory for words, our two hours of religious
instruction became very irksome to me."

John Neumann soon suffered the consequences of this
faulty method of teaching. At the close of his fourth
scholastic year he returned home worn out in body and
mind. His friends noticed with regret the absence of
his wonted amiability and cheerfulness. In former years
he had at once produced his certificate for inspection;
but now things were changed, and not till called upon
did he place it in his father's hands. With a heavy heart
he awaited the paternal comment, for in two branches,
Latin and mathematics, he had received only " two."
After quietly and attentively scanning the report, Mr.
Neumann turned to his son: " It seems that you are no
longer interested in your studies. You may stay at
home and choose a trade" — stern language for the boy's
tender heart, more afflicted at his parent's disappoint
ment than at his own trials. And so poor John actually
resigned himself to exchanging his books for the tools of
a workman. Let us quote his own words on the subject.
At the close of 1827 he writes: " I was thoroughly dis-

28 Life of Bishop Neumann.

gusted with my studies, and I resolved during the vaca
tion to discontinue them. But my good mother's per
suasion, joined to that of my brother and sisters, finally
overruled my objections. Besides, just at that time the
study of the humanities had grown less irksome to me,
as we had a professor who, though even stricter than his
predecessor, yet showed some consideration for us poor
boys." These words disclose the real cause of his dis
couragement; for John, during the same vacation,
avowed to his father, after long deliberation, that he
had not deserved the unfavorable notes; that there were
outside influences bearing upon the discouraging result.
Mr. Neumann immediately spoke to the Reverend Dean
and to a professor who was at that time staying at Pra-
chatitz. Both asked for an interview with his son. After
questioning him closely in the branches in which he had
failed, they unhesitatingly advised Mr. Neumann to de
mand a second examination for his son. It took place,
and John stood it most successfully.

When the new term began, he requested to be allowed
a room to himself, that his studies might be pursued in
quiet. The first three years he passed almost unnoticed
by either professors or schoolmates. The wish to live
unknown was his life-long characteristic. To this qual
ity, perhaps, he is chiefly indebted for his progress in
the sciences and his growth in grace. We shall soon
have opportunities of admiring both.

Rev. Adalbert Schmidt, Spiritual Director of the
Episcopal Theological Seminary at Gratz, was John
Neumann's most intimate friend. Concerning those
years of student-life he writes as follows: "When a boy,
not yet twelve years of age, I became acquainted with
John Neumann at Budweis. During the first three or
four years we entertained friendly relations of mutual
respect, though we were not intimate; but our fourth and
fifth scholastic years found us on more confidential terms.
We used to study and walk together. John's progress

Student-Life. 29

in the sciences astonished me then, and arouses my ad
miration even now when I reflect upon it. As to the
labor he performed and the answers he gave, he never
advanced beyond the middle grade; but his quiet study
probed every subject. He contrived to procure books
in all branches of learning, and, like an indefatigable bee,
he laid up a store of knowledge for future use. His re
flections on what he had read afforded ample matter
for conversation during our rambles after study-hours.
Summer and winter, sunshine or storm, we traversed the
environs of Budweis in all directions, quite forgetful of
aught else in the heat of our discussions. Neumann's
conversation, as might be expected, was never frivolous
or superficial; his learning was many-sided and thorough.
He was well versed in languages, sacred and profane
history, geography, geology, and poetry. During his
philosophical studies he occupied himself with physics
and astronomy also. In this last-named branch two
companions shared with him his labors and successes,
and without the aid of a teacher, even with slender
pecuniary resources, they attained an extraordinary
knowledge of the heavenly bodies and the laws by which
they are governed. What one read or discovered by
investigation was enthusiastically accepted and noted
down by the others. Their attainments in astronomy,
if we consider their circumstances and their little leisure,
we must designate as truly splendid."

We here subjoin the testimony of some other ecclesi
astics, former schoolmates of John Neumann. They all
express themselves in praise of their illustrious friend.
The Rev. Dean Iglauer, born at Prachatitz, writes: " I
knew John Nepomucene Neumann when I was a boy. I
saw a good deal of him at the Budweis gymnasium and
during the vacations which we spent in our native place.
As a boy he was exceedingly industrious. He was
fond of drawing and natural history. He had an excel
lent microscope, and in his study of created things he

30 Life of Bishop Neumann.

saw and admired the omnipotence and greatness of the
Creator. To these divine attributes he frequently drew
the attention of his young companions. He received a
solid and thorough education, and was well versed in the
classics."

Rev. Mr. Laad, another of his schoolmates, writes:
" It is a pleasure to me to recall that, for thirteen years,
I was a fellow-student of the Right Rev. Bishop Neu
mann. Born in the little city of Walschbirken, about
two hours' walk from Prachatitz, I met the deceased at
the city school of the latter place, to which my parents
had sent me, and I was not separated from him till the
year 1836. The school at Prachatitz enjoyed a high
reputation, especially under the management of Rev.
Peter Schmidt, Director at that time. . . . John Neu
mann was endowed with superior mental gifts. He
was also a hard-working student. I never saw him idle;
he even took his walks book in hand. The branches
discussed in the class-room were not the only ones that
occupied his attention. He found time for other useful
pursuits, among them the study of languages, to which
he early devoted himself. In the lowest class of the
gymnasium he began Italian; in the upper class, French
was his favorite. During his course of philosophy I
remarked some Protestant books in his room; but I soon
found that he read them only to discover in what they
differed from the truth, to be able to refute their errors,
and, above all, to strengthen more and more his attach
ment to the true faith."

Rev. Father Krbecek testifies as follows: "I studied
at the gymnasium at Pisek, and so became acquainted
with John Neumann only in the class of philosophy. I
noticed how well he employed his time. We used often
to walk together after school-hours. Sometimes I
brought my little scholars to see him. He always gave
us a cordial welcome, and to my boys a treat of nice
white home-made bread out of the large chest that stood

Student- Life. 3 1

in his room. Then he let the little fellows play on his
zithern, showed them his microscope, and laughed heart
ily at their exclamations of amazement. Their eagerness
to see his wonders made them push and jostle one an
other, sometimes, to his great amusement. Once I ac
costed him with, 'Well, what progress have you made
to-day?' 'You mean in Littrov ? ' * he answered, and
, at once set about giving me the results of his careful
experiments, calculations, etc. I became greatly inter
ested in the study, especially after he had pointed out
to me, one night, the different constellations. One
evening in autumn we were standing together with
our telescope viewing the heavens, when a soldier pass
ing by exclaimed, ' What ill-mannered people to
smoke so late ! ' 'Oh!' we cried, 'come closer and look
at this.' He did so, and said, 'Ah! that's something
else! You are not so ill-mannered, after all.' Neumann
was greatly amused. I never look at the starry heavens
now without a grateful remembrance of my dear friend.

"On another occasion we were trying to prove a the
orem, but could not succeed. Neumann went to the
professor of mathematics, and asked for an explanation;
but all the information he received was, 'I never came
across such a thing before ! ' Upon this, he returned
courageously to the task, and on the following day
showed us the proper solution of the problem. He
labored unremittingly. It would seem that he had laid
down for himself the rule never to rest.

" One day as I entered his room to invite him to a walk,
he closed his book in a serious mood. I ventured to
take it up, and found it an Italian grammar. I expressed
my admiration for that beautiful language, whereupon
he offered to instruct me in it if I would give him
lessons in Czech. We mutually promised to do so, and
during the vacation we gave each other lessons and

* Astronomy (Littrov's).

32 Life of Bishop Neumann.

corresponded in Czech and Italian. In this way we be
came quite proficient in those tongues. When, years
after, he visited us as Bishop Neumann, he gratefully
told me what benefit the Bohemian language had been
to him in America, since by its aid he was able to mas
ter other Slavic dialects. His active mind was ever in
search of solid information. He disliked nothing so
much as want of depth; a thorough insight into what
ever he undertook alone satisfied him. Although natu
rally reticent, he knew how to give clear and satisfactory
explanations when called upon."

In the Bishop's journal we find the above statements
corroborated by himself: "During our two years of
philosophy many changes took place in my surround
ings. There were at least a dozen students who
showed great aptitude for the different sciences. We
employed all our free time, even our days of recreation,
in communicating to one another what we had acquired,
each in his separate department of learning. While
improving ourselves in this way, we were greatly assisted
by the good Cistercians, our teachers in philosophy.
They received us kindly and answered all our questions
satisfactorily. These good Fathers ever showed them
selves stern enemies of deceit or ill-will. During these
two years I followed perhaps a little too much my in
clination for the natural sciences. Natural history,
geography, physics, geology, astronomy kept me busy,
whilst algebra, geometry, trigonometry, which I had
formerly disliked, were now my favorite studies." John
seemed to possess the art of finding persons suitable to
give him assistance in the commencement of any new
branch. In Joseph Jiittner, Artillery Commander, he
found a friend who gladly instructed him in higher
mathematics. His thirst for secular knowledge did not,
however, lead him to neglect the sacred sciences, nor did
his demeanor become gloomy or repellent from close
application to study. His companions remember him as

Student-Life. 33

invariably bright and cheerful, not unfrequently surpris
ing them by his modest but clever display of wit.

On the summit of Mount Libin, in the neighborhood
of Prachatitz, stands a chapel dedicated to " The Patri
arch," and which contains a large picture of St. Philip
Neri. Neumann visited this chapel once with some of his
young friends, one of whom inquired what patriarch it
was who was there venerated, Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob.
John smiled and said, " Why, there are patriarchs in
Europe. This is St. Philip Neri, the founder of an Order,
and one who has as much right to the title of patriarch
as St. Benedict, St. Francis, St. Dominic, and others."
Then his friend remarked that Philip is derived from
the Greek and means a lover of horses; to which John
laughingly replied, " Indeed, you are Greek with a ven
geance!"

After a certain tedious examination in history, John
began to skip about and shake his head, as if to shake
something out of it. His companion, astonished at so
unusual a demonstration, inquired, " What is the matter ?
Is there water in your ears ?" " No," was the laughing
rejoinder, " but I want to get rid of that hard-studied
history."

The students of that period were required to learn
verbatim a history impregnated with the errors of Jo-
sephism. This was a task highly repugnant to our young
scholar. He studied the Holy Scriptures, also, at this
time, and set a high value on the apologetic method so
well calculated to refute the errors of Protestantism.
On one occasion he said: "Protestants allege that we
Catholics change the passage hareticum devita and write
the word devita in two words thus, de vita; for, as they
say, it was on account of this word that Huss and his
adherents were condemned to death by the secular au
thority. Have these gentlemen so slight a knowledge of
Latin ?"

John was most considerate in his behavior toward his

34 Life of Bishop Neumann.

fellow-students. Once during vacation they had made
arrangements for a ball. Our young friend, not wishing
to offend any by a refusal to attend, withdrew during
the dancing to the refreshment-room, where he zealously
attended to the wants of all who presented themselves.
Next morning one of the students twitted him on his not
joining in the dance, when John laughingly compared
himself to Saul taking care of the garments of the Jews
while they stoned St. Stephen. His studies proved no
hindrance to the care of his soul. His most earnest aim
was to become daily more pleasing to God. At the early
age of sixteen he already understood that mortification
of the senses is absolutely necessary for advancement in
virtue.

He was, therefore, scrupulously careful to mortify his
senses and chastise his body. In childhood we meet with
mortifications that betoken an extraordinary spirit of
self-denial, surpassing the natural powers of tender age.
In his sixteenth year he took but one meal a day, his
breakfast and supper consisting of only a piece of dry
bread. A fellow-student who, on account of family
affairs, was compelled to give up his studies writes of
him as follows: " As a mere boy, I admired in Neumann
his remarkable strength of character, his perseverance,
his resolute will in mortifying himself, a disposition
which increased with years. I remarked in him a spirit
of self-control and self-denial. He was always ready to
sacrifice even the most lawful worldly pleasures to spirit
ual ones. When, in the fourth year of my studies, I was
obliged to discontinue them on account of ill-health and
certain family reasons, he wrote me in so consoling a
strain that I was encouraged to support the trial with
resignation. Whilst others aggravated my troubles by
urging me to continue my studies in spite of all difficul
ties, from him alone I received consolation. He constant
ly wrote me letters full of piety and encouragement."

Another fellow-student renders the following beautiful

Student-Life. 35

testimony of him: "Heart and mind were benefited by
intercourse with John Neumann, though the impression
produced was wholly involuntary on his part. The
principal trait of his beautiful character was his unassum
ing, childlike piety. Obliging in his demeanor, ever
ready to perform an act of kindness, he was at that time
at which I knew him a pious student, living only for God
and for his studies; a youth according to God's own
heart." Selfishness formed no part of John Neumann's
character. To help one to advance in the love of God
gave real joy to his heart.

" One day I went to see him," a fellow-student writes,
"and. found lying on his table a small Latin book. I
opened it, and was deeply affected by the very first lines.
It was a copy of Thomas a Kempis, of whom I had never
heard before. Seeing my interest aroused by the little
volume, he at once offered me the use of it. This inci
dent contributed not a little to strengthen and spiritualize
our friendship. On another occasion I noticed in his
room two small volumes, of which he made me a present.
They were Louis of Grenada's * Sinner's Guide.' "

We would fear fatiguing our readers were we to insert
the many beautiful and edifying communications received
from his fellow-students. We cannot, however, omit
that of his most intimate friend, who writes: " Even now
I dwell with pleasure upon that time when we were but
one heart and one soul. On the paths which Neumann
trod in childhood and in youth was met only disinterest
edness. Those worldly goods and advantages which
others eagerly crave possessed no charm for him; they
proved no snare for him, they gained no hold on his
affections. Toward his fellow-students he was affability
itself, a model of true fraternal charity. He was always
ready to lend his books and manuscripts, or give assist
ance to students who were backward in their studies.
His manner on such occasions was marked by the most
charming willingness to be of service; no shade of osten-

36 Life of Bishop Neumann.

tation could be observed in him. His life was one of
great mortification. True, he practised no unusual pen
ances at the time, but his whole life was one of self-de
nial. He nevervisited saloons or theatres, never indulged
in games for money, though sometimes, for recreation,
he would take part in the amusements of his compan
ions. In his food he was not hard to please. He never
tasted liquor. A glass of beer, at most, was all he allowed
himself when setting out on a long journey on foot.
Heat and cold, rain and storm, were all the same to him,
and by their patient endurance he added new vigor to
his naturally strong constitution. Vanity, hidden under
a thousand forms, often attacks, to their incalculable in
jury, the intellect of the most promising youth. But in
the heart of Neumann were found, in its stead, only mod
esty and humility. Unlike other young men of his age
and talents, he never made any display of his learning,
never boasted of his feats of courage and daring. His
dress was plain and betrayed no attempt at prevailing
fashions. Calm deliberation reigned in all his actions.
His memory was retentive; his imagination lively, but
always under the dominion of his cool, correct judgment.
From extravagant enthusiasm he was quite free. With
him all things were regulated by weight and measure.
Modest and cautious in speech and action, one could
readily detect in him the well-ordered mind. His calm
and prudent deliberation was his shield against undue
excitement or outbursts of passion; a fact which ren
dered intercourse with him easy and pleasant."

We have now followed John Neumann to his twentieth
year. May we not, from all we have learned of him,
conclude that the dangerous period of youth had cast no
stain on his baptismal innocence ? His love for God, his
humility and mortification — virtues necessary for the
preservation of purity — secured to him that precious
treasure. Like three stanch bulwarks, they enclosed
his innocent heart. His intimate friends admired his

Student-Life. 37

modesty, and his fellow-students unanimously concur in
testifying that from his lips even an equivocal word
never issued. Until he began his theological course he
lodged at the house of a widow, whose daughter received
the addresses of her affianced a long time previously to
marriage. One of his friends said to him: " Do not the
frequent visits of that girl's lover annoy you ? Is she not
herself a subject of distraction to you ?" John answered:
" Not at all. That girl occupies my thoughts no more
than any other woman. To me they are all beautifully
bound books which I know not how to read." The same
friend tells us: " In his love for the holy virtue, John
Neumann shone a model for all. His whole demeanor
was modest; his glance never rested on dangerous ob
jects. He never jested with females, nay, I am certain
that he never exchanged a useless word with any one of
them. When questioned, he answered, and that was all.
Not even under the pretext of piety or edification did he
lay aside his reserve in his communications with the op
posite sex. Few knew the nobility, the elevation of Neu
mann's soul. He was a diamond which from lack of
outward polish was all the more precious in the sight of
God, all the dearer to those privileged ones who enjoyed
his friendship." The reminiscences of another friend end
with these words: "The more deeply versed in human
nature were our professors, the more able, just, and pious,
the more was Neumann respected and honored by
them."

Another dangerous rock against which many young
men suffer shipwreck John Neumann carefully avoided,
viz., the neglect of the Sacraments. In those early years
he often approached the Heavenly Banquet, for which
he prepared with extraordinary care. "I aimed most
especially," he says of himself in the sketch of his life,
"at deriving the greatest possible benefit from Holy
Communion. The recollection of the piety that reigned
in my father's house, of the devotion with which my

38 Life of Bishop Neumann.

mother prepared for Holy Communion, was for me
the best guide. I was thus protected from those dan
gers and sins which cause the ruin of so many souls. I
heard Mass daily, and never neglected my evening visit
to the Most Blessed Sacrament. This was the pious cus
tom of many of my fellow-students."

The Seminary at Biidweis. 39

CHAPTER III.
The Seminary at Budweis.

WE have seen that John Neumann in the course of
his studies was in danger of losing his vocation,
not indeed by his own fault, but through unfair treat
ment on the part of his professors. Almighty God, how
ever, who had marked out for him a very high destiny,
had regard to the uprightness of his intentions, and
made use of the pious mother to protect the docile son.
After eight years of diligent study he completed his
classical and philosophical course, obtaining to his own
and his parents' satisfaction the highest testimonials of
exemplary diligence and irreproachable conduct. The
joy of his friends was further enhanced by the thought
that in four years more he would leave the theological
seminary a priest. But a great and unlooked-for trial
was in store for the young graduate. The youth so
highly privileged by God, who had been marked out,
even in early boyhood, for the clerical state, must now
prove that vocation and strengthen his natural inclina
tion to virtue. The Christian mother, ever watchful
over her boy's interests, was still to be the guiding star
to light him on to his high destiny. We cannot but re
joice in beholding young Neumann following, despite all
obstacles, the path marked out for him by Divine Provi
dence. With the docility of a child he allowed himself
to be led by the hand of his Heavenly Father. In his
autobiography he speaks as follows: "When, at the
close of my philosophical course, I had to make choice
of theology, jurisprudence, or medicine, an incident oc
curred which made me incline toward the last-named.
Out of eighty or ninety applicants for theology but

4O Life of Bishop Neumann.

twenty were to be accepted, and that only on the best
testimonials, the highest recommendations. Now, this
offering of recommendations for such a purpose I re
garded as an innovation; consequently I would use no
effort to obtain them. In this uncertainty as to the
choice of a profession, I arrived home in the autumn
holiday of that year, and found to my surprise that my
father was not disinclined to my going to Prague for the
study of medicine, although such a step would entail
considerable expense. My mother, however, was quite
dissatisfied with the arrangement; the very thought of it
saddened her. I represented to her my inability to pro
cure recommendations, as I was not acquainted with any
prominent personages. But she would not listen to
such reasoning. She urged me to send a petition to the
Episcopal Consistory, saying that God would help me.
In compliance with her wish I drew up a petition for
admission, and sent it by a special messenger to the
Council. Without recommendations, simply at my own
request, I was admitted to the seminary, and from that
moment the temptation to devote myself to the study
of medicine disappeared. Even my favorite pursuits,
physics, astronomy, etc., I gave up almost entirely and
without regret."

Thus did God reward Neumann's childlike obedience.
But the evil spirit, not discouraged by the failure of his
plans, approached the youth with other temptations, and
sought to seduce him by earthly joys. The children of
the world, under the mask of friendship, tried to dissuade
him from choosing the clerical state, a state fraught with
pain, void of pleasure. Let him, they said, employ his
talents and acquirements for the world, which alone
holds out prospects of a position of ease, honor, and
happiness. But these and kindred illusions had no
other effect upon him than to call up a smile. Enlight
ened from on high, he understood the vanity of the tran
sient things of earth.

vS-^

The Seminary at Budweis. 41

On All-Saints, 1831, Neumann began the study of
the sacred sciences. The seminary was small and could
accommodate only the alumni of the last two years'
theological course; so Neumann during his first two
years had lodgings in a private family.

And now his soul, thirsting for knowledge, drank
deep draughts from the clear fountains of theology; his
zeal for study increased. The natural sciences were still
pursued, but only as secondary objects; for, following
the dictates of conscience, he applied first of all to what
he knew to be of obligation. Hence his efforts were
crowned with success, and his professors praised his
diligence. That they were pleased with his progress
may be gleaned from the fact of his being allowed to
engage in other studies. He tells us in his journal:
" My favorite occupation during my first year of theology
was the study of the Old Testament, ecclesiastical his
tory, Hebrew, etc., which afterward proved of incalcu
lable benefit to me. My professors encouraged me, and,
to their credit be it said, they all had, with the excep
tion of one who was inclined to Josephism, a good spirit;
they were stanch adherents of Holy Church. They
were, also, competent instructors. With great facility
and in a short time one might acquire under their direc
tion much useful and practical information."

That his superiors were satisfied with their young
student is also clearly manifest in the fact of their per
mitting him in his first year of theology, July 21, 1832,
to receive the tonsure and minor orders.

A fellow-student, speaking of this period, says: "His
acquirements in every theological department were thor
ough and comprehensive. The Holy Scriptures were his
daily bread. He had a copy of the Vulgate in several
small volumes. No fact of the Old Testament, no bibli
cal character, was unfamiliar to him; there was no pas
sage of Scripture that he could not quote. The students
used to amuse themselves in cross-questioning one

42 Life of Bishop Neumann.

another on dates, localities, personages, facts mentioned
in the Bible, upon which they raised objections, debated
on the proper application of different passages — in a
word, engaged in animated discussions. Their enthusiasm
was enkindled by Professor Koerner's practical explana
tions of the Sacred Text. In these discussions Neumann
showed himself fully equipped for every encounter,
ready for any question that might be proposed. By
such practices his stock of knowledge increased like a
stream swollen in its course by the inflowing of many
tributaries. But with it all he was ever the modest, re
tiring youth, aiming only at the acquisition, not at the
display, of learning."

Behold another communication from one of his con
temporaries: " Neumann sustained, in Budweis, a theo
logical discussion of several hours with the Professor of
Moral Theology, a man justly esteemed the most able in
the seminary. At the close of the disputation the pro
fessor remarked: * Had a stenographer taken down
Neumann's defence, any theological journal might insert
it in its columns.' Next to the Holy Scriptures, dog
matic theology was his favorite study. He had a copy
of Peter Canisius' " Summa Doctrinse Christianae," with
notes, which he studied until he made it entirely his
own. In questions involving an explanation of some
scriptural text the students unanimously appealed to
him; for he either knew it by heart or could point to
the page on which the solution might be found."

At the beginning of his second year of theology the
designs of Almighty God over young Neumann became
more manifest; he was gradually being prepared for his
high vocation. Grace illumined his intellect and inflamed
his heart. He understood that he was called to labor at
the salvation of souls in the far-off regions of America.
He lent an attentive ear to the voice of God; his noble
and generous soul responded to the call of grace. The
Professor of Holy Scripture, Rev. Father Koerner, to

The Seminary at Budweis. 43

rouse in his pupils a love for the study of the Bible, was
accustomed to speak in enthusiastic terms of the Apostle
to the Gentiles. In glowing words he depicted his labors
and sufferings for the glory of God and the salvation of
souls.

It so happened that one of John's friends, fired with
the desire of imitating the Apostle, and his attention being
directed by the reports of the St. Leopold Society to the
vast field offered the missionary in America, resolved to
devote himself to that work. He soon made known his
resolution to Neumann. The latter, to prove his friend's
earnestness, bantered him a little on the subject. But no
long time elapsed before he, too, expressed his deter
mination to accompany him. " Do you know that I am
going with you to America ?" he said one day. " Yes,
such is my fixed intention."

This most important resolve is thus noticed in his
journal: "In my second year of theology I began to read
the annals of the St. Leopold Society. The letters from
Rev. Father Baraga and other German missionaries in

North America charmed me. One day, as G and I

were walking along the banks of the Moldau, the thought
came to us to set out for America as soon after ordina
tion as we should have obtained some practical knowl
edge of our priestly duties. We invited two or three of
our fellow-students to take part in our enterprise; but,
though admiring our resolution, they were unwilling to
accompany us. I suppose it was not their vocation.
From that day my resolution was so firm, my desire so
lively, that I could think of nothing else."

Such a resolution we must pronounce grand and
heroic, when we reflect on the time of its adoption and
weigh well the circumstances connected with it. In 1833
America was looked upon as little more than a vast wil
derness, a land of privations, sufferings, and persecu
tions, offering to the missionary no other prospect than
that of sacrificing health and life for the glory of God

44 Life of Bishop Neumann.

and the salvation of souls. Bohemia had not yet sent
out its priests, its young seminarians had not yet crossed
the Atlantic, and the fact of emigrating to America as a
laborer in the vineyard of the Lord was thought equiva
lent to seeking martyrdom. Though the actual state of
things in America was not quite so bad, still there ex
isted for the Catholic missionary many hardships and
privations. From this time the most engrossing thought
of the two young friends was their missionary project
and the means of carrying it out. Prudence demanded
secrecy. Their plans were disclosed to only a few special
friends, and Mr. and Mrs. Neumann for nearly three
years had no suspicion of what was almost exclusively
occupying their son's mind. Henceforth all Neumann's
aspirations aimed at one object — to become a worthy
and efficient missionary. This object, he thought, could
be accomplished only by courageous self-denial, by
assiduous prayer, by diligent study, and unlimited trust
in the help of God.

He began to prosecute his studies with still greater
zeal, and to devote himself to prayer with such fervor
and perseverance that both students and professors
looked on in wonder.

Young Neumann was of the opinion that a missionary
should, as far as possible, be able to speak all living
languages; consequently he eagerly sought every oppor
tunity to perfect himself in the same. The right to aJow
some of his seminarians to study at the Archiepiscopal
Seminary at Prague had been conceded to the Bishop;
and, as the students of this institution frequented the
university, Neumann hoped that there he would find
superior advantages for acquiring English and French.
He petitioned for a transfer to the Seminary of Prague,
which favor was readily granted.

At the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Prague. 45

CHAPTER IV.
At the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Prague.

JOHN NEUMANN left the seminary at Budweis after
two years of successful study, and went to Prague
in 1833, there to spend two years more in theology. Soon,
however, he regretted the change. " The Right Rev.
Bishop," he says in his journal, " permitted me to leave
Budweis in order to finish my studies at the Archiepis
copal Seminary of Prague. But at the latter place I met
a great disappointment. I had just begun to visit the
French school at the Clementine, when an order was
published by the Archbishop prohibiting seminarians
attending the lectures. I could not study English, for
this language was not taught at the university. Nor
was I satisfied with the professors of dogmatic, moral,
and pastoral theology. The first was more against the
Pope than for him; yet, as the objections which he ad
vanced were most absurd, he could do but little harm.
The second was too philosophical to be understood by
his hearers. The third was a thorough Josephist. I had
to do violence to myself even to listen to them, for the
absurdity of their treatment of those subjects I fully un
derstood; much less could I accept their opinions, which
I regarded as heterodox. It is a matter of regret that in
such institutions so much is done to preserve the splen
dor of learning instead of diffusing good Catholic and
useful knowledge. I was, therefore, heartily glad when,
after the examinations, I was, in August, 1835, allowed to
return to Budweis."

Among the papers written at that time by Neumann
we find a dissertation on the infallibility of the Pope,

4.6 Life of Bishop Neumann.

which point he defended most strenuously, though his
professor favored the views of Fabronius and the Galli-
cans. This paper is an answer to a former fellow-student
of Budweis who asked Neumann's opinion on Papal In
fallibility, which at that time was not an article of faith.
From this document we see that Neumann, even in his
third year of theology, set forth his arguments plainly and
solidly; that he was imbued with childlike docility, and
that his judgments in questions of mere opinion were
decided.

As we have gathered from Neumann's own words, he
hoped to find at the University of Prague an opportu
nity of perfecting himself in French and English. His
disappointment *we have seen. English appeared to him
indispensable for one who would labor successfully as a
missionary in America, and now he had no other re
source than to apply to these languages by private study.
He did so, and attained so great proficiency that all who
knew him were astonished. A fellow-student relates
that, at the close of the school-term, Neumann ap
plied for examination in French. When the professor
turned to him with the words, " You never attended my
lectures," Neumann replied in excellent French that he
had studied in private and now wished to be examined.
The professor admitted him to examination, from which
the young candidate came forth with the certificate
" First Class with distinction." " Every theologian,"
Neumann used to say, "should learn French, if only
through respect for the ascetic and theological works
written in that language."

English also engrossed his attention, and, in his eager
ness to speak it correctly, he went so far as to call upon
some English workmen in a factory. They were de
lighted with the student's great desire to learn their lan
guage, and they did all in their power to help him in its
attainment. It was not long before this assistance was
unexpectedly withdrawn, and he was again thrown on

At the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Prague. 47

his own resources. His efforts, however, were soon
crowned with success, as his aptitude for languages was
very great. His journal of that period furnishes us
with a proof of this, for a large part of it is in French
and much of it in English. It contains but few errors
in the construction of those languages, errors which are
usually overcome only after long and continued practice.
He had begun Italian years before at the gymnasium,
and he soon made such progress that he both spoke it
and wrote it with ease. He loved to read the works of
St. Alphonsus in Italian.* He made numerous extracts
from them, some of which we find among his papers.
The beautiful work entitled " The Way of Salvation" he
translated into German with the twofold intention of
benefiting himself and others. It was published by Rev.
Father Dichtl. He afterward mastered Spanish, in which
he read with profit the works of St. Teresa and the letters
of St. Francis Xavier. From these, also, he made copious
extracts. At the time of his theological studies they
comprised at least thirty-eight books.

The study of Latin and of Greek was obligatory at the
gymnasium, and by continued practice he attained
facility in the use of both languages, as his journal and
scientific treatises on different subjects testify. Whilst
at the seminary he undertook the study of modern
Greek, and skilfully translated the Greek text of the
Bible into three and even four modern languages at one
and the same time. In his fourth year of theology he
turned his attention to Hebrew, and with such success
that he was soon able to meet every difficulty and give
clear explanations to all that sought his aid. Add to
these his own native tongues, the German and Bohe
mian, and we find Neumann, even as a student, familiar
with eight languages.

With good reason could he make the following asser-

* The saint at that time had not yet been canonized.

48 Life of Bishop Neumann.

tion in a letter written in 1834 to his family : " If I do
not mistake, it is Catherine's turn to write me a letter.
Let her begin very soon. The letters need not be painted;
as I am familiar with eight languages, I shall undoubt
edly be able to read hers. She always wrote a neat
hand. Let her set to work at once."

It will not be a matter of surprise to us if, with so
ardent a desire for knowledge, young Neumann scarcely
allowed himself sufficient time for corporal needs. When
at home in vacation he not unfrequently had his book
before him at meals, and so preoccupied was he that he
forgot to eat. When addressed by his parents or any
other member of the family he was often at a loss as to
the subject of conversation, and for this he received many
a reproof.

It happened once that, after spending, according to
custom, the greater part of the night in study, all around
him suddenly grew dark. He groped for the candle in
order to relight it, but scorched his hand in the flame.
The light was still burning, but his sight had failed.
The strain upon his eyes had been too great, and from
that time he was forced to use glasses.

Neumann understood the art of landscape-painting
both on paper and glass, and great was his delight when
able to present one of his own productions to his friends.
He displayed some talent also for portrait-painting ; and
several excellent pictures of his friends painted by him
are carefully preserved to this day, treasured memorials
of the reverend artist. He cared not to have his own
picture taken, and to the entreaties of some of the
students to that effect he answered that it was sufficient
for him to be remembered in their prayers. The largest
and most important painting he has left us is a faithful
representation of his native city and its environs. With
this piece of genuine art is associated an act of virtue
far more valuable than the picture itself. The young
artist had bent perseveringly over his work during an

At the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Prague. 49

entire vacation, had laid on such colors as best corre
sponded to the reality, and had earnestly watched the
effect produced by each new touch of his brush; at last
the work was completed, to the great admiration of the
beholders. Long and approvingly did they gaze upon
it, now in the whole, now in its parts. It so happened
that, in his too great eagerness, one of its most sincere
admirers broke the glass and very seriously injured the
picture itself. Not the least sign of anger did he exhibit
who for so many hours had devoted time and skill to its
perfection, but, stepping quietly forward, he gently set
about protecting his work from further accident. As
long as that picture exists, the marks of the damage it
then sustained will bear evidence to John Neumann's
patience and self-control.

5O Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER V.
His Piety as a Seminarian.

LET us now speak of the interior life which Neu
mann led as a seminarian. His fellow-students
have recorded many beautiful traits of his piety. His

friend A gives us the following:

"Although humility, meekness, and mortification, all
the virtues, in fact, seemed natural to him, and for the
same reason less meritorious; yet, at the beginning of
the year 1833, when he knew that it was his vocation to
become a missioner, they assumed a more perfect char
acter. To his lively faith was joined heart-felt piety.
Both were genuine; he knew not hypocrisy; both
sprang from the depths of his soul, and both were con
cealed as much as possible from the eyes of men. No
one ever remarked in John Neumann the least singu
larity, not even in prayer. He entered and left the
church at the specified hour; he punctually performed
whatever was prescribed for all the faithful in general;
but in secret he practised many mortifications, especial
ly during the last two years of his student-life. Many
an hour of the night, even during the depth of winter,
did he spend on his knees in fervent prayer. His obe
dience to his superiors and professors was sincere; but
he never cringed, never flattered, never displayed any
noticeable attachment toward them. Had they been
asked what they thought of him, they must have an
swered: ' We know nothing particular of him. He does
not distinguish himself in any way from others.' The
order prescribed the students he kept most faithfully;
the keenest observer would have failed to detect in him

His Piety as a Seminarian. 51

the least infringement of rule. * It is the rule, it must
be kept ! ' clinched every difficulty on the score of col
lege regulations. In the absence of superiors, he spoke
and acted as he would have done in their presence. If
I review those ten years during which I was on inti
mate terms with him, to discover what were Neumann's
faults, I should find only one imperfection, and that was
a little obstinacy in clinging to his own opinions. In
the case of a young man, clear-sighted and given to
deep thought, whose conclusions are generally correct,
this failing is quite natural. Indeed, without such ad
herence to one's views there can be no thorough work,
no surmounting of difficulties; in a word, the practice
of virtue itself becomes almost an impossibility."

The foregoing statement is fully endorsed by others of
his fellow-students. One writes:

"As John Neumann increased in knowledge, he
treated his body with a severity that often excited our
astonishment; for instance, he frequently denied himself
food and watched entire nights in the open air. Such
severity on his part appeared to me, I must confess,
asceticism altogether too strict. It was only at the close
of his theological course, and when he was preparing
for missionary life, that I understood his object in de
voting himself to the study of languages and the practice
of such mortifications."

Another friend testifies:

" Unaccustomed as he had ever been to a life of ease,
yet Neumann strove to inure himself to still greater
mortification. When others loudly complained of the
seminary fare, he was never heard to utter a word of
dissatisfaction; he even shared his portion of food with
one of the poor students. If the day proved insufficient
for the tasks assigned him, a part of the night, yes, even
entire nights were stolen from sleep and devoted to their
accomplishment. When at last he found himself actually
overcome by sleep, he would put several chairs together

52 Life of Bishop Neumann.

and rest for a few hours on this uninviting couch. He
also passed many nights in prayer and meditation before
the Most Blessed Sacrament, especially before and after
Holy Communion. Daily meditation he never omitted.
In the year 1835 some gentlemen presented themselves
at the seminary, to offer on the part of the government
the position of Foreign Secretary to any one of the as
pirants to holy orders who possessed the requisite
qualifications, viz., a knowledge of languages. All
eyes turned toward John Neumann, who, however, be
trayed not the least desire for a post at once honorable
and lucrative. Astonished at his unaccountable indif
ference, I begged him to inform me of his intentions for
the future; what career had he mapped out for himself.
He looked at me smiling, and answered, 'Guess.'
1 Well,' I replied, ' I suppose it is nothing less than the
life of a missionary in America.' He made no com
ment on my conjecture, but requested me to remain
with him in the study-hall after evening prayers. I was
all impatience for the appointed moment, so eager was
I to hear what he had to communicate. At last even
ing came, prayers were said, and, after the other stu
dents dispersed, Neumann and I stood together at a
western window looking out on the clear starlit sky.
Like an experienced astronomer, he pointed to the
worlds above us; but I paid little attention. His de
lay in coming to the point only increased my curiosity.
Then he spoke of America, of the actual state and the
future prospects of the Church there, remarking that the
harvest was great, the laborers few. He referred to the
missionaries, and at last acknowledged his own settled
resolve to labor in that portion of his Lord's vineyard.
I could not repress my tears of joy as I leaned over to
press my lips to his hand. He begged me to keep his
secret, as the fulfilment of his desires depended upon
his parents' consent; meanwhile he would pray God to
incline their hearts to the sacrifice."

His Piety as a Seminarian. 53

Though Neumann's contemporaries offer us so much
to admire in his life and labors, yet we find in his own
journal subjects for still greater edification. Therein are
noted down his secret thoughts and aspirations, the in
terior life of his soul. It is to be regretted that only a
part of this journal is extant, and even of this part we
must, in order not to exceed the limits of our task, give
only a few extracts. His record refers to the last two
years of his student-life, and affords us a glimpse of the
interior workings of his mind and heart.

His two years at Prague proved a true novitiate of
suffering which prepared him for his subsequent career.

From earliest boyhood, his most earnest desire had
been to love and serve God ; and as years passed, and
the conviction of being called to the missionary life in
America took possession of his soul, he felt that his first
and holiest duty was to confirm himself in the practice
of virtue. None other than a high degree of divine love
could satisfy the longings of his soul, and the persevering
efforts he made for its attainment find a parallel only in
the lives of the most saintly.

By serious meditation upon the infinite perfections of
God and his own miseries he arrived at true and solid
humility. This virtue he recognized as the foundation
of all others, and many were the prayers he uttered for
its acquisition. One day he thus addresses his own
soul: "O my soul, where wast thou twenty-five years
ago? No one then knew that, created to the image of
God, thou wast to have an existence; where, then, wast
thou ? Not in heaven, not in the abyss. Thou didst
not exist, neither couldst thou call thyself into existence.
Almighty God created thee ! Thou wast nothing; thou
couldst not even cry to God to call thee forth from
nothing. Thou wast less than a drop of water, less than
a grain of sand. God could have made thee a blade of
grass, a plant, a worm, a bird, to exist for a time in His
honor and then to fall back into thy original nothing-

54 Life of Bishop Neumann.

ness. But this He did not do. Thou canst turn to thy
Creator, thou canst love Him, thou canst thank Him,
since thou dost exist, since thou wilt exist to glorify Him
forever. Ah, with what docility ought I not to corre
spond to the end for which I was created! Teach me, O
Lord, to praise Thee!"

Let us hear the cry of his heart when he petitions for
humility, when he invokes the btessed in heaven for the
same: "O Jesus, my divine, my most amiable Teacher,
teach me humility and resignation to Thy most holy
will! I ask with confidence. Thou didst grant me
temporal favors when I called upon Thee; Thou wilt not
now reject my prayer for spiritual ones. True, the favor
I now beg is infinitely superior to any temporal one, and
I am altogether unworthy to receive it; yet it is Thy
will that I should be humble, be really humble with sin
cere, heart-felt humility. Grant it, dear Jesus, that I
may be more conformable to Thee! Grant it, my beloved
Saviour, my most amiable Teacher! O Mary, Mother of
mercy, whose help I so sensibly experienced to-day, pray
to thy Divine Son for me, a poor sinner; beg Him to
make me humble! Oh, how humble thou wast! thou, the
purest of virgins; thou, my powerful mediatrix! Thou,
O most holy among the children of Adam; thou, Immac
ulate Mother of God, thou didst declare thyself the
handmaid of Him whose Mother thou wast! Behold,
my dear heavenly Mother, how gladly I would devote
myself to thy Divine Son that His will may also be mine!
But my pride, my self-esteem, my vanity, are always
against me. I fear them, and yet I allow them to sur
prise and deceive me so often. Oh, how this afflicts
me! O Mary, O refuge of sinners, if I were only sincere
when I beg of thee to obtain for me humiliations! But
alas! whilst praying for such helps to humility, I fear
the granting of my prayer. I clearly see the better
things, I even desire their possession, and yet I shrink
from what alone can give me true humility! Behold my

His Piety as a Seminarian. 55

trials, my combats, in this valley of tears! O my dearest
Mother, if to be freed from this body of death would
give God glory, how gladly would I not lay down my
life! Yes, and gladly would I lay it down for the attain
ment of humility. But what do I say ? My life ? Is it
anything praiseworthy to give as a ransom from the
slavery of sin, that existence which sin renders burden
some to me ? O Jesus, meek and humble God-man, my
Teacher, teach me to be humble! Regard not the rebel
lious struggles of him who has been confounded! Pardon
his vexation when insulted, his tears when neglected!
Let me everywhere know and adore Thy holy will! O
my Guardian Angel, lead me to the practice of humility!
Help me to become more like unto thee, more like unto
my best friend, my most merciful Lord Jesus Christ!
And ye, my holy patrons, St. Joseph, St. Francis Xavier,
St. Vincent, pray for me! Ye taught humility by word
and deed. Take me for your disciple, that I may become
worthy of being the least and last of the servants of my
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!"

Neumann not only prayed for humility; he was, more
over, careful to repress every craving after honor or
distinction. The following lines betray the feelings that
dictated them:

" The happy events of last week, the scene at the house

of Professor M , my meeting with the Englishman,

very greatly excited my ambition and vanity. There is,
perhaps, a great struggle in store for me. O God, have
mercy on me! O Jesus, grant the victory to humility!
Grant that I may, at last, obtain this fundamental virtue,
for I dread humiliations, the only means of destroying
in me my thirst for fame!"

Mindful of his Divine Master's words, " He that hath
My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth
Me,"* he put forth his best endeavors toward their fulfil-

*St. John xiv. 21.

56 Life of Bishop Neumann.

ment in deed as well as in word. From childhood he
had scrupulously avoided sin; and in early manhood
his whole aim was to divest himself of his faults and
imperfections. Sincerely, and with exactitude peculiar
to himself, he daily examined his conscience, calling
himself to account for all his thoughts, words, and actions,
scrutinizing his inclinations and desires. He spared
self-love in nothing. He deplored even his involuntary
faults, which, in the light of God's infinite sanctity, he
called his sins, his crimes, his sacrileges; and, with heart
felt sorrow, he begged for grace and pardon. To pro
pitiate God's mercy, he imposed upon himself penances
which were scrupulously performed; and, having dis
covered the cause of his relapses, he made firm resolu
tions for the future. Conscious of his own weakness,
he called the angels and saints to his aid, but most
frequently he had recourse to the Blessed Virgin. " O
my Mother Mary," he cried, "Mother of my God, turn
not thy eyes from me on account of my sins! I desire
to love thee like a little child, but I am not worthy that
thou shouldst think of me. How can I say that I love
thee, when my sinful life proves the contrary ? I weep;
but what do such tears as mine avail ? Do they console
me, a sinner? Are they tears of penance? Alas, how
insignificant is my penance compared with my sins! O
Mother, help me whose sins crucified thy Son!"

Thus did he struggle courageously and perseveringly
against his inclinations to sin, against his real defects.
He complains in strong terms of his deviations from
truth, as he termed certain involuntary inadvertencies of
speech.

"O my God," he writes, "do Thou accept, at least for
the present, my earnest desire not to offend Thee, in
stead of the well-merited penance from which my ob
stinacy still recoils. Hear, O my Divine Teacher, hear
my prayer! Teach me how to speak, for I am ignorant
of the art! Permit me not to fall into temptation! My

His Piety as a Seminarian. 57

conscience shrinks from falsehood, but alas! my God,
how can I avoid such faults? O Thou, the All-Holy, the
All-Wise, direct my speech! If it be Thy will, O my Jesus,
that I should communicate with my fellow-creatures,
grant me the necessary qualifications for gaining their
confidence; but if such be not Thy holy will, grant
me patience to bear the confusion in store for me!"

On October 4, 1834, he made a vow to fast one day for
every exaggeration in speech of which he found himself
guilty. A day or two after, he purchased some fruit; on
returning with it to his rooms, he encountered the presi
dent of the seminary, who playfully accosted him: "Are
you going to eat all that yourself?" " No," answered
Neumann, " I am going to share with L ." Now, pre
viously to the president's remark, Neumann had formed
no actual intention of sharing the fruit; the resolve to do
so was made only when unexpectedly interrogated. He
did, indeed, divide the fruit with his friend, but that eve
ning his remorse found vent in such lamentations as these:
"O my soul, how hast thou fallen to-day ! How deeply
hast thou fallen into the sin of falsehood ! Oh, how
hateful is this vice ! To-morrow will be for me a fast !
O God, grant me grace to fulfil my resolution !"

One day the prefect questioned each seminarian as to
the number of languages he understood. Neumann,
taking the word in its strictest sense, answered in his
turn, "Three." But soon after he reproached himself
with having exaggerated, and begged pardon of God
for his two offences, one of exaggeration, the other of
pride.

How great were his fervor and devotion in celebrating
the festival of Christmas ! Daily did he hold long collo
quies with the Infant Jesus. One year, about three
days before Christmas, to his great confusion he failed
in an address he had been chosen to deliver. In excusing
himself he made use of an expression 'which, according
to his ideas, was not strictly truthful. Intense was his

58 Life of Bishop Neumann.

sorrow, and many are the lines of his journal we find
devoted to its expression. Among other things, he
says:

" Dear Infant Jesus, I must give Thee back to Thy
Mother; I am no longer worthy to bear Thee in my arms !
Ah, miserable indeed I would be, were I to die in this
sin! The dear little Jesus in His crib weeps over my
offences."

All are familiar with the fact that students occasionally
amuse themselves at the expense of their masters. One
day Neumann joined in a laugh raised against a certain
professor; but soon recovering himself, he resolved to
do penance for his fault. " My penance for this sin is
far too trifling," he writes. " I feel that divine love has
been diminished in my soul. I perceive the abyss opened
by it, O my God, between Thy glory and my ever-increas
ing malice. Have mercy on me !"

Although every page of his journal is a proof of
Neumann's indefatigable zeal, yet he sincerely regarded
himself as an indolent, useless servant. ''My predomi
nant passion," he says, " is sloth in the fulfilment of my
duties. I perform them only from dread of remorse. O
Spirit Sanctifier, grant that never more may I insult Thy
presence and degrade myself by sloth ! Give me, O
Jesus, more earnestness in striving after perfection; give
me more humility ! I ought willingly to relinquish every
thing that might prove a hindrance to me in imitating
Thee." Here follow resolutions to devote the time after
morning prayers to his prescribed studies. Soon, how
ever, we meet fresh self-accusations on account of new
failures:

" I resolved to devote myself after prayers to my reg
ular duties, and an interior voice urged me to the fulfil
ment of my promise; I also begged Thee, O my God,
for the grace to overcome my self-love to-day: and yet,
behold, something quite the opposite of my good resolu
tion ! My sinful conscience knows no rest. O my Jesus,

His Piety as a Seminarian. 59

I have rendered myself unworthy of Thy grace!" Next
comes a resolution to deprive himself of bread both at
breakfast and supper whenever he failed in his duties.
Again he laments:

" O my Jesus, once more I have separated from Thee
by my disobedience. I have again broken my resolution
to study at fixed hours. Pardon me, my God, pardon
this my great sin !"

Later on he accuses himself: " To-day I neglected my
morning prayers. My God, to what may not this lead
me ! O my God, change my joy into bitterness, that I
may weep over my sins !"

Once he fell asleep whilst preparing for confession.
" O God," he cried, " will not this disrespect be the cause
of my eternal damnation ?"

Such tenderness of conscience greatly displeased the
evil one, and he endeavored to check young Neumann's
ardent zeal. But Satan's efforts proved fruitless, as the
journal testifies: "God often permits me, for my greater
humiliation, to fall into despondency. Then rise up be
fore me all the sins of my past life, my hardness of heart,
the thought of God's justice, etc., and I feel as if I should
die of grief. This gives place, in turn, to hellish pride
and vanity, which whisper, 'You do not commit so many
faults; your sins are not so great as those of others. You
perform such or such a good work; you avoid such and
such evil ones. Do not be so troubled; be not so dis
couraged ! ' Ah, Satan, how foolish thou art! True, I
am not a murderer; but am I not constantly committing
great sins in little things ? God has enlightened me. He
has taught me how pleasing virtue is to Him, and how
hateful vice, though to thee, O wicked spirit, the latter
is more acceptable! Heaven and hell lie open before
me; and yet I crucify Christ anew, I persevere in my
wickedness, I heap crime upon crime ! O merciful God,
whither shall I flee from Thy wrath ? Thy immensity
fills heaven and earth, whilst I disgrace both. Where shall

60 Life of Bishop Neumann.

I hide myself ? Thou heapest graces upon me, and I con
tinue a malefactor, a monster in human form. Alas, my
Jesus ! Thou didst pray for Thy executioners. Behold
at Thy feet one of them! Have mercy on me ! Thou art
peacefully enthroned in the hearts of Thy saints, but my
heart is the foul haunt of Satan. O Lord, my God, have
mercy on me! Break the hard rock of my heart, but be
merciful to me! Pardon the work of Thy hands ! My
soul, where art thou ? How far removed art thou from
salvation! Woe is me! O Jesus, I have driven Thee from
Thy own possession, I have cast Thee out of my heart !
Oh, what misery! My God, be merciful!"

His contrition, being true and supernatural, was also
effective. Hence the following petition: "Since Thou
art so good, O my Jesus, grant me true compunction for
my sins ! Give me to taste the bitterness of Thy chal
ice ! Let one drop of Thy baptism fall upon my head,
that in some small degree I may experience the pain
my sins have caused Thee !"

His untiring supplications were at last rewarded. The
love of God, which, as we have seen, early possessed his
heart, began to take new increase in the midst of trials
and temptations of divers kinds.

We have already stated that his sojourn at Prague
was for Neumann a time of suffering; but, though the
thought of those two years was a bitter one in after-life,
yet they were, on the whole, of inestimable advantage in
the formation of his character.

The opinions of his fellow-students were entirely too
liberal for one of Neumann's pious turn of mind, and
their mode of life was little in accordance with the spirit
of Jesus Christ. This diversity of sentiment rendered
him an object of contempt and ridicule in their sight;
they regarded him as one given to eccentricity. The
unkind treatment he experienced from them pained
young Neumann's sensitive heart, and the pleasing
reminiscences of Budweis, where, as a student for ten

His Piety as a Seminarian. 61

years, he had made so many friends, only aggravated his
present position. He writes:

" The thought of Rev. Father Dichtl and my friend

A only increase my desolation; my tears flow every

evening. Here I live in the midst of sloth and tepidity,
which are a hindrance to my own advancement; and
among the pious directors of Budweis no one is thinking
of me. They have all forgotten me; I am sad and alone!
Willingly would I bear it all, could I only advance in the
spiritual life. My heart bleeds; I have no remedy.
Abandoned and despised by all, I turn to Thee, O Lord!
Oh, let me be ever, ever Thine, though Thou be deaf to
my prayers, unmindful of my tears!"

Again we read: "X will have nothing more to do

with me, he thinks me idle and unfaithful; and for this,
O Jesus, mayest Thou be ever praised! The good de
spise me for my awkwardness, and the wicked for my
apparent rigor, which they take for false enthusiasm.
Gladly do I throw myself at Thy feet, O Jesus! Tram
ple upon me; I deserve it, but do not cast me off from
Thee!"

On December 10, 1834, one of the students read aloud
in the study-hall a letter ridiculing Neumann's ex
travagant orthodoxy, as they termed his firm adherence
to Holy Church. Its effect was to alienate many of his
companions from him. In his examen that evening he
thus alludes to the affront: " My self-love was roused.
My God, what will become of me if I continue so sensi
tive ? I am not yet ready to suffer with Jesus. O God,
pardon me!" — and then and there he resolved to be re
venged, but in a manner worthy of a Christian. " I
find," he writes, " that pride, even on account of some
seeming spiritual advantages, begins to show itself; a
kind of jealousy gnaws at my heart. To humble
myself, I will on every occasion offer my services to my
brethren. Every time I meet any one of them I will, in
spirit, lovingly kiss his hand as I would that of our

62 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Lord Himself. I will also defend and excuse them
whenever I possibly can."

We must conclude from these words that his love for
his neighbor was true and sincere. In his humility he
seeks and finds the cause of their unjust treatment,
not in their ill-will, but in himself; he turns the insults
heaped upon him to his own greater humiliation.

Quite differently, however, did John Neumann judge
of things when God or His Holy Church was made the
object of contempt.

" O Mary, my Mother," he one day exclaimed, " pray

for me in this affair with D regarding Canisius, that,

if it be God's holy will, our contention may cease!"

On another occasion he remarks: "A dispute arose at

table which filled me with disgust. H ridiculed

certain saints whose canonization he regards as the re
sult of ignorance and superstition. I will withdraw as
much as possible from all who love not Thee and Thy
Church, O Jesus!"

Our straightforward and unpretentious student was
generally misunderstood by his professors, who often,
though unintentionally, increased his interior sufferings
at this period. We have already caught a glimpse of
his opinion of these gentlemen, and much of his suffer
ing was due to the fact of his own inability to treat with
the president as a child with its father. Daily do we
find him lamenting this want of confidence in his superi
ors, though, in his humble estimate of himself, he seeks
the cause in his own shortcomings.

" The president and all good people despise me," he
writes. " My Jesus, my uncertain relations toward
the president cause me great anxiety." And again:
" My aversion for the president increases. I regret that
he knows my most important secret, my intention of
going to America. If I mistake in his regard, pardon
me, O my God! I will be obedient to him, I will shield
him from derision, I will try to bear him a Christian love."

His Piety as a Seminarian. 63

May 10, 1835, he writes: "O Jesus, Thou didst permit
me to-day to become better acquainted with the presi
dent through his criticism of Father Dichtl's article in
the Katholik. Ah, my Father, do Thou win him to Thy
self ! He is Thy son. Hear my prayer in his behalf !"
"To-day the president entered the museum whilst
I was reading the Meditations on the Gospel. He
glanced at the book and asked, 'Why do you occupy
yourself with such reading?' 'You know the reason/ I
answered. Then he continued, 'Are you serious in your
resolve to be a missionary?' I replied in the affirma
tive. Now I must speak to him on this delicate matter;
for, should he mention it to others, he might do much
harm to the cause."

On April i3th he wrote with still greater freedom:
"If sometimes I seek his company, he avoids me; he
seems to despise me. Perhaps more than appearances
are against me. Were it not for this misunderstanding,
I would not feel as I do toward him, and he could give
me much assistance. But his maxims, his guarded be
havior, his carefully concealed intentions, his want of
forbearance toward the erring, his apparently unsympa
thetic nature, which seems only to feign compassion, —
all prevent my opening my heart to him. My God, for
give me if I sin against this zealous man! My own bad
heart may be the cause of my unfavorable judgment of
him; yet, so far, I have not been able to understand
things otherwise, and I dare not act against my con
science. To consult another would infringe upon the
respect due to him, and would help me little. The judg
ments of others might be still harsher, since, perhaps,
even less than myself can they form an opinion of him."

Despite his reluctance, however, we find young Neu
mann a few days after disclosing his plans to the presi
dent, who, so far from discouraging him, suggested his
entering the Society of Jesus. But soon again we meet
the lines: "The president's sermon has wounded my

64 Life of Bishop Neumann.

heart. I like him now less than ever. O Jesus, Thou
knovvest my sad condition! Here I am without a guide,
without an adviser. Lord, teach me how to pray that
I may obtain what is so necessary for me, a guide in the
spiritual life. I have none to console me in my falls, to
counsel me in my doubt as to whether I should enter an
Order or Congregation where I might live in perfect
obedience; none to direct me in my efforts to amend my
life, none to point out how I may become more pleasing
to Thee. O my Jesus, in my desolation I cry to Thee!
Hear my prayer, send me a good confessor!"

Neumann recognized the necessity of a spiritual guide
in order to make progress on the road that leads to per
fection; but no such director was to be found to'assist
him in his scruples and doubts. This uncertainty, this
feeling of abandonment, added greatly to his mental suf
ferings at this epoch. With what fervent supplications
did he not entreat God to send him an enlightened di
rector! " To-morrow," he writes at the beginning of the
scholastic term, "to-morrow I shall go to confession. I
pray God that I may meet a confessor who will under
stand how to apply a remedy to my passions!"

His preparation for confession always comprised a
prayer for his confessor: "O Jesus, enlighten my con
fessor that he may make known to me Thy will!" Again:
"O Jesus, enlighten my confessor that he may under
stand the state of my soul! Oh, see how I wander with
out a guide in this labyrinth of doubt! To whom shall
I apply for counsel ? Where shall I find relief? O Lord,
Thou knowest my heart with all its faults, but Thou also
knovvest that it is resigned to Thy holy will! Aid me
in my misery!"

His temptations increased daily, whilst his efforts to
attain perfection became more earnest.

" Would that I had some one to point out the sure way
to Thee, O my Jesus! O my Divine Master, if Thou
wert still on earth, I would seek Thee out, cast myself

His Piety as a Seminarian. 65

at Thy feet, and abandon to Thee my life and my soul!
But, alas, I wander here an exile, far from my country,
far from Thee! Thou hast established Thy Church, and
she teaches me that if I fulfil Thy holy will, Thou wilt
love me. Thou seest my heart, O Jesus! I am firmly
resolved to follow Thee. Have mercy on me, O good
Saviour!"

This spiritual guide whose assistance would have been
of such benefit at this time was not to be found. John
Neumann was to attain perfection without human aid and
by the royal road of the cross. This was God's most
holy will. His daily examen was always followed by an
act of heart-felt contrition, which was greatly intensified
when about to approach the tribunal of penance.

" My Lord Jesus," he cried, " behold me defiled by sin!
Again have I stained the holy garment of purity which
Thy Blood has so often cleansed. O Father, hear my
prayer! Give me the true spirit of penance, that, through
the humble supplication of my contrite heart, I may
again receive pardon. Since my last confession, O my
Jesus, I have fallen more frequently than usual! My
incessant combats, my unholy desires, my tepidity and
discouragement, have made me forget many great sins.
My Jesus, I have not kept my word! I promised to ad
vance, and lo! I have gone back. But do not Thou for
sake me, though I have richly deserved to be rejected as
obstinate and incorrigible. But what would become of
me if Thou wert always angry with me ? Behold me
prostrate before Thee, O my God! My sinfulness weighs
me down. My anguish Thou, the Omniscient God, alone
knowest. Alas! Jesus, my God-Saviour, I dare not raise
my eyes to Thee! How can I presume to ask pardon? I
who have so often violated my word, so often returned
to the mire of iniquity whence Thy love had drawn me!
O my soul, my poor, cowardly soul, thou art crushed
by thy load of sin! Take courage; thy Redeemer
will console thee in thy wretchedness! Come, let us

66 Life of Bishop Neumann.

again approach His throne; let us again crave forgive
ness. Jesus, my Lord and my God, I beg pardon for all
my sins! Reject me not, although I have miserably
broken my resolution of amendment. Mercy, my Jesus!
I have no one to help me. Thou alone art my Lord and
Saviour. Cast not off Thy wretched, sinful child, or he
will be forever lost! From my heart I grieve for having
offended Thee, O Jesus, and yet I am so cold that I
fear my confession wilt not be a contrite one! O holy
Mother of God, my guardian angel, my holy patron, in
tercede for me with my Judge, obtain for me the pardon
of my sins! O Jesus, grant me the true spirit of pen
ance; permit me not to make a bad confession! Pray
for me, ye blessed spirits! My Jesus, have mercy on me!
Amen."

His desire for weekly confession was real and sincere.
He was impatient for the appointed day to arrive, for in
the Sacrament of Penance he found calm for his troubled
heart. Yet even this consolation was often withheld, as
we discover by the following lines: "I long to confess
to-morrow that I may regain my peace of heart, for my
sins are continually before me. But Thou, my Lord and
my God, Thou art my law! Do with me as is pleasing
to Thee; I resign myself entirely to Thy will. Dost
Thou wish me still to bear the pain of the withdrawal of
Thy grace, be Thou forever praised! I will be more
watchful, I will never forget Thee, I will love Thy Law
as Thy gift to man; and since Thou art the best of
fathers, I will be faithful in keeping Thy commandments.
Teach me Thy will, O dearest Lord, that I may never
waver but, trusting in Thy assistance, may begin and
end all my works to Thy greater glory!"

On the following day, so eagerly longed for, so ar
dently hoped for, no confessions were heard. For this
privation our pious student thus consoles himself: "No
confessions to-day. What a disappointment for me!
Now for eight days more I shall be restless and misera-

His Piety as a Seminarian. 67

ble. But I must not lose courage. Thou, O my most
amiable Jesus, Thou dost sleep in the poor crib of my
heart. Art Thou, perchance, weary of my incessant
weeping over my sins? Forgive me, O Divine Babe!
Whilst Thine eyes are closed in slumber, I will adorn
Thy crib with the most lovely flowers. When Thou
awakest, Thy little eyes will be delighted; Thou wilt be
better pleased with Thy new home. Dearest Mother
Mary, teach me how to adorn the dwelling of thy Divine
Child! Thou art full of grace; the Lord is ever with
thee! Angels and saints of God, help me! With the
blue forget-me-not I will surround Thee, little Jesus;
they are blue as Thine own loving eyes. Oh, do not Thou
forget me on the great Day of Judgment! I will keep
Thee alone before my eyes, for Thou art my God! On
Thy breast, O Divine Infant, I will lay the white lily of
purity and innocence, for Thou art the All-Holy. I will
become like unto Thee. To it I will add the rose of
love, as a proof that I sigh for Thy love alone. Oh, let me
love Thee with my whole heart! It is a blood-red rose.
Deign to purify me from my sins, cleanse me in Thy
own precious blood! And, because of its sweet fra
grance, I place beside the lily and the rose the humble
little violet! Jesus, my Teacher, I am Thy slave, Thy
disciple! Be Thou merciful to me! Grant me true
humility; make me advance in Thy love! Sweet Babe,
scarcely hast Thou begun to live when Thy cheek grows
pale and on Thy eyelids tremble the glistening tear
drops. Thou sufferest for me. Ah, do not reject me!
I will never more offend Thee! What shall I do to
regain Thy favor? Thou art my God, my Creator; I
have nothing but what Thou hast bestowed upon me;
but, behold, what I have I return to Thee! For Thee
only will I live, Thee only will I love! What causes
Thee joy shall be my joy, and all that Thou dost hate I
will hate. See, my soul, how sweetly the Divine Infant
slumbers! do thou watch and pray that He may love

68 Life of Bishop Neumann.

thee! Fear not that He will reject thee. Children are
kind, they have no guile. But take care not to cause
Him pain by any disobedience on thy part, not even by
some slight carelessness; for He is also a God who has
it in His power to punish thee!"

On February 14, 1835, Neumann made the general con
fession for which he had so long and so ardently sighed.
He prepared for it with the full persuasion of its being
one of the most important actions of his life. Urgent
were the prayers he poured forth to his Divine Re
deemer, and repeated his invocation of the saints, that
he might accuse himself of all his transgressions with
profit to his soul. We find him recording the momen
tous affair in the following words:

"O my God, it is accomplished; a Christian life has
been begun! I have confessed all the sins of the
past. Henceforth I will ask consolation neither of the
world nor of Thee, O my God! Thou, my Divine
Teacher, knowest whether consolation is useful to my
soul or not. In dryness I will no longer be disturbed,
but do Thou, my God, preserve me from presumption!
Take entire possession of me. To Thee I consecrate all
the powers of my soul and body, my whole being!"

After each confession we find a grateful and loving
acknowledgment of the graces received.

" O my Jesus, Thou hast cleansed me from my sins!
For this I rejoice, as I can now again love Thee as I
once did. But yet, my God, my poor heart is not joyful,
though it is contented. Yes, it is satisfied, since Thou
dost treat it according to Thy mercy. Come, O my
Lord, come and inflame my heart with love! Thy love
raised Lazarus from the dead; Thy mercy has roused my
soul from the lethargy of sin. Thy priest has loosened
the bonds which bound me fast. Ah, truly, Thou must
love me! Thou dost heal all the wounds of my soul at
once. O Jesus, accept my thanks! Though they come
from an arid, tepid heart, I know that Thou wilt not

His Piety as a Seminarian. 69

reject them. From this day I begin a new life! With
the help of Thy grace I will be patient, diligent, and
devout. Remind me, dear Lord, on occasions in which
I may practise my good resolution. Hear my prayer, O
Jesus, to love and praise Thee with my whole heart,
with my whole soul, with all my strength! Mother of
Jesus, pray to thy Son for me! Jesus, be with me! Jesus,
stay with me!"

Almighty God was all in all to John Neumann. Sev
eral days previously to the happy one on which his Lord
and Saviour, his only Love, was to enter his soul in
Holy Communion he spent in devout preparation. The
thanksgiving which followed was not less lengthy or
fervent. No expressions seem adequate to depict his
transports during this happy period. Sufferings and
joys, consolation and desolation, were alike laid as a
holocaust at the feet of his Divine Redeemer, to whom
he again consecrated himself an obedient disciple and
slave. To record the one-hundredth part of his edifying
thanksgivings at such times would far exceed the limits
of our work. A few will suffice to convey some idea of
all. On November 22, 1834, he writes:

"My Lord and my God, once more am I to approach
the altar of Thy Most August Sacrament; once more am
I to receive the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth;
once more receive the Most- High God in whose all-see
ing eyes the seraphim are not pure; once more receive
that Just Judge who knows my crimes better than I do
myself; once more receive Him whose garments alone
healed the sick! My God, what shall I do, since in Thy
sight the angels themselves are not pure ? What shall I,
a sinner, do that I may not eat judgment and damnation
to myself? O my God, my Redeemer, how is it that
Thou dost desire to confer on me this great favor ? Be
hold, I offer Thee my tears of penance and of love! I
have naught else to offer. Deign to accept my heart
and my will. Enlighten me, O Eternal Wisdom, that I

7O Life of Bishop Neumann.

may practise Thy teachings, that I may concur in the
salvation of those whom Thou didst purchase at so great
a price! Do with me what Thou pleasest, for all my
desire is to fulfil Thy holy will. Ah, I know that Thou
lovest me! Thou didst grant me to-day tears of love and
of penance, for which, O Jesus, mayest Thou be ever
blessed! I would ask Thee for many things, but, alas,
I know not what to ask! O Father, give Thy children
daily bread; forgive us our sins; lead us not into tempta
tion, but deliver us from evil ! Preserve Thy Holy
Church, our good Mother! Direct our Holy Father the
Pope; be merciful to all the faithful; enlighten unbeliev
ers! Bless my parents, my brother, my sisters, my
friend Schmid, and all my friends and enemies. And
thou, my Heavenly Mother, accept my thanks for thy
wonderful intercession! Be forever my refuge, my con
soler! My loved patrons, whom I have chosen as inter
cessors at the throne of the Most High, come to my as
sistance! My holy guardian angel, my faithful guide,
thou hast seen the tears that have flowed from my eyes
— those eyes which were before so long without a tear; to
thee I give them, that thou mayest present them to my
Judge and Redeemer. Amen."

Neumann's love for God suffered no decrease even in
seasons of great aridity. Behold the proof of it in the
familiar language he addressed to Almighty God:

"True, I feel but little devotion; my soul is dry and
sluggish; but yet, O Lord Jesus, I believe in Thee, I
hope in Thee, I love Thee, and I grieve for having ever
offended Thee! Behold my resolution to live entirely
for Thee, to be patient in sufferings, diligent in the ful
filment of my duties, humble before Thee and my neigh
bor, and devout in Thy service. O my God, accept the
sacrifice of my lowliness! Holy Immaculate Mother of
my Jesus, pray for me, a poor sinner, that I may worth
ily receive my God!"

Here follows a prayer for the day of his Communion,

His Piety as a Seminarian. 71

In it we see his love inflamed, his will strengthened by
contact with his Eucharistic God: "O my Jesus, Thou
hast come into my heart! I cannot weep for joy, be
cause of the aridity of my soul, but I can protest that I
love Thee above all things, O Jesus, Thou God of my
heart! Before all the angels and saints, I promise that
in trials and sufferings I will love Thee as much as in
joy and consolation. Bless my work, rouse my cour
age, and, should it be Thy most holy will, help me to
announce Thy divine teachings to the ignorant."

72 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER VI.
Trials and Sufferings.

A LMIGHTY GOD, finding His youthful disciple
/~\ willing and capable of being received into the
school of trial and purification — a school frequented
only by His special favorites — treated John Neumann as
a hardy soldier, or rather He sought, by severe disci
pline, to fashion him into such a soldier. For this end,
his virtues were, one by one, to be tested and ennobled
by temptation; consequently he began about this time
to experience great disgust for prayer and the perform
ance of daily duty. His soul entered into that utter
darkness where faith and hope and love seem totally
extinguished. He felt that God had forsaken, had
entirely rejected him; and yet he bravely struggled on,
resolved to love Him, and Him alone, as his Lord and
Sovereign Master. But the anxiety he felt as to the
reality of his love filled up the measure of his misery.
In this painful state, with no one to direct him, God
allowed him to remain a considerable time. It was pre
cisely along this rough road, however, that he was to
attain a high degree of humility and love. His journal
now teems with amorous complaints: "Alas, I am in
great distress ! Last evening, after prayers, I lingered
in the museum, reflecting on the love ®f Jesus for me
and my own ingratitude toward Him. Tears of bitter
sorrow fell from my eyes. In my misery I turned to
the Blessed Virgin for aid; and I also addressed Jesus,
whom I fancied by me. I besought Him to teach me
how to act in order not to cast obstacles in the way of
grace. But I waited uneasily for the sound of His
voice in my soul; nay, my whole soul seemed to revolt

Trials and Sufferings. 73

against it. In my heart, I wished to hear nothing; my
corrupt nature shrank from its whisperings. Then came
the bitter thought that I do not love my Saviour, that I
do not esteem Him, seeing that I do not receive Him
oftener in Holy Communion. I was perplexed and
uncertain as to whether this was an inspiration from
God or a suggestion of the evil one. Now I believed
it from God, and again I doubted. I was cast about in
anguish of spirit. But, O my God, of this I am certain:
I do feel a great desire to receive Thee more frequently.
This is now my dearest wish, and yet I dread to enter
upon a closer examination as to how I may effect it, in
view of my relations to the president, to my confessor,
and to my fellow-students. This unceasing attraction
of grace on the one hand, and my own resistance on
the other, cause me unspeakable pain. In my anxiety,
I do not consult my love for Thee, O Jesus, because it
would demand of me a firm resolution and a generous
correspondence. Or does the evil one seek to place
obstacles to my love for Thee ? Ah ! he will never suc
ceed; for behold me, dearest Jesus, behold me awaiting
Thy decision !"

After spending the Lent of 1835 in the devout medita
tion of our Lord's Sacred Passion, Neumann made, on
Palm-Sunday, a cross of blessed palm, which he placed
on his breast in memory of his suffering Redeemer. The
enemy of salvation, enraged at his tender devotion,
raised on the instant a storm of revolt in the heart of
the young man, though he did not succeed in making
him omit any of his penitential practices. The follow
ing effusions of love sufficiently express his sentiments
at this period: " My dearest Jesus, to suffer something
for Thy sake, and to bear Thee in constant remem
brance, I placed on my breast a cross of blessed palm.
Oh, what joy to suffer something for Thee, my suffering
Saviour ! But, alas, such things are trifles ! Oh, that I
could be burned alive, if only to love Thee more per-

74 Life of Bishop Neumann.

fectly ! O Sovereign Lord of my life, my mind, my
soul, my whole being, O my Saviour and my God, send
me great sufferings, that I may thereby better love and
praise Thee ! Ah, behold ! since I placed that cross on
my heart there have sprung up within me diabolical
emotions and desires. But wherefore should this trou
ble me? Ought I not rather rejoice that, by despising
their importunity, I may prove to Thee that I love Thee
better than my body and its miserable pleasures ? Thou,
my Jesus, art my joy ! My heart longs for Thee !
Come, my Love, my All ! If it be to Thy honor, let me
become a missionary, that I may suffer for my sins
and die for Thee, my Divine Master; nevertheless, not
my will, but Thine be done !"

His tender and persevering supplications at last
drew upon him the merciful regards of Almighty God,
and obtained for him a favorable answer. The trials
and sufferings which purify the soul on its road to per
fection, which lead to the acquisition of perfect love,
were freely bestowed upon him. The childlike narra
tive, culled from the daily record of his passing thoughts,
tells us of his struggles and his love:

"Remorse pursues me!" he exclaims. " My Jesus,
banish the demon of despair ! My devotion has van
ished, my tears are dried up, thoughts of my angel and
of my patron no longer soothe my troubled soul ! Even
Thy remembrance, my Saviour, and that of Thy Blessed
Mother, grow dim before my mental gaze. O Jesus, do
not forsake me ! Help me ! help me ! I am resolved
not to omit a single one of my devotions !"

The greater his sufferings, the greater his struggles,
the more fervent his prayers. " Hear me, O my God,"
he cried; " strengthen and increase my faith! Lead
me not into temptation. O Jesus, Thou who hast said,
' My yoke is easy, My burden light,' have mercy on me !
for wheresoever I turn my eyes, I see naught but obsta
cles and difficulties. Lord, pardon my impatience !"

Trials and Sufferings. 75

A few days later we read: "O my God, this dreadful
state has come on me again ! O my Divine Teacher,
make known to me the faults that have merited such
punishment ! Were my faith strong, I would thank
Thee for my sufferings; but, alas, I feel only impatience,
doubt, and discouragement !"

We cannot behold young Neumann's immediate re
course to his Heavenly Father in the midst of his mental
sufferings without sentiments of edification ; but still
more are we touched by his childlike, trustful supplica
tions when freed for a time from temptation:

"I am still incapable of meditation, but I feel the
necessity of speaking to Thee, my highest Love ! Do
thou, my heart, open thyself to thy Lord. Receive Him;
do not offend Him; do not force Him to separate from
thee again. I foresee shame and disgrace, and the
prospect fills me with dread ; but Thou, my Jesus, art
my strength ! Thou wilt not permit him to pine away
whom Thou hast once rescued from death. I am
assaulted by the demon of discouragement and despair;
but do thou, my soul, hold fast to Jesus. He will have
mercy on thee ! This temptation is like remorse of
conscience; with difficulty is it distinguished from it,
and with still greater difficulty is it overcome. Jesus,
Thou knowest how much I love Thee; protect me from
my enemy! How faint-hearted, how childish I am! Thou
art all-powerful, my Jesus, and yet I am afraid ! But I
feel that Thou wilt soon grant me many great graces,
since I have so little consolation on earth ! All my com
fort, all my joy must come from Thee. Worldlings may
call me unhappy, but I will rejoice in Thee alone. Thou
wilt free the poor sinner from his burden; Thou wilt
receive him again into Thy favor. My heart longs for
Thee ! O my Jesus, if it be Thy will that these terrible
temptations against faith should again assail me, I be
seech Thee suffer me not to fall! Let me taste their full
bitterness, but let me not fall ! O my Lord, my God,

76 Life of Bishop Neumann.

I cast myself entirely into Thy hands ! Worn out by
the struggle, I will rest beneath Thy cross; I will em
brace it; I will kiss it as the symbol of my victory! O
Mother Mary, pray for me, a poor sinner; pray for me
in my desolation of soul ! Jesus, be merciful to me !
Amen."

On the following day he thus expresses himself : "All
despise me, but I have deserved it. All avoid me, — the
bad because I cannot countenance their wickedness; the
good because they find in me only sin and imperfection.
I am alone, despised by men, and in thy sight, O my
Supreme Good, a most sinful creature ! The joys of this
world I hate, and of heavenly joys I am unworthy. My
life is a joyless one !"

After several weeks of such spiritual desolation God
enlightened and strengthened his soul, but only to pre
pare him for fresh sufferings. June n, 1835, seems to
have been a day of unusual spiritual gladness. That
evening he wrote: "The study of the rubrics of Mass,
and especially that of Canisius, warmed up my heart.
True, I am not yet entirely relieved from my fears, but
I feel far nearer to Jesus Christ. Ah, how sad has been
my state for the past three or four weeks ! I might have
committed any sin, even the most horrible, had not God's
mercy protected me ! Truly the soul without God is
nothing. My Jesus, my God and my King, to Thee do
I return, since Thou dost call me !"

These sorrowful outpourings of a desolate spirit
strongly remind one of St. Francis de Sales, who during
his career as a student neared the brink of despair
through a similar state of soul. And, like that great
saint, we find young Neumann protesting in accents of
love that he will never abandon his God: "The spark of
faith and love is almost, if not wholly, extinguished in
my soul. What shall I do without faith, without hope,
without love ? To whom shall I turn if my God casts
me off, — if, on account of my sins, He withdraws from

Trials and Sufferings. 77

me the graces necessary for my salvation ? My soul,
what wilt thou do? Thy Redeemer has forsaken thee,
perhaps forever. His merits are lost to a soul hardened
in malice. Thou mayest knock at heaven's gate, but it
will not be opened. Thy crimes have barred it against
thee. Thy God loved thee, but thou didst flee from Him,
and now He leaves thee to thyself — alone, alone, alone !
No friend, no consoler will rise up to aid thee, for thou
hast sinned against the whole world. O my Lord Jesus
Christ, Thou hast indeed forsaken me on account of my
sins, but I will never abandon Thee ! My observance of
Thy commandments will still be pleasing to Thee, and I
will keep them as far as I am able. To transgress them
would be to increase my misery."

The nearer Neumann approached the end of his de
sires, the sharper and more frequent became his trials.
God permitted all kinds of temptations to combine their
force in order to torture his soul. Disgust for his voca
tion to the priesthood first assailed him. He speaks of
it in these terms: "Self-love demands that I should re
nounce the priesthood, since its uninterrupted round of
duties calls for the sacrifice of every earthly comfort and
pleasure. Cowardice whispers that Jesus did not die for
me, that I am a reprobate, that I shall be eternally un
happy; then, wherefore devote myself in this world to
such a life of privation ? Would that I could find some
one to understand the state of my soul ! If I felt sure
of its being only a passing temptation, I would bear it
patiently."

And now came the tempter, holding out as a snare to
the young student's innocence the thought of carnal
gratifications. His journal at this time records the fol
lowing:

"Temptations against the holy virtue assail me. It is
long since I was molested on this point. I imagined all
such inclinations dead within me. Thank God! this temp
tation is more easily vanquished, since it is less subtle

78 Life of Bishop Neumann.

than pride, vanity, sloth, anger, etc., etc. O Queen of
those virgins that follow the Lamb, intercede for me that
I, too, may remain pure, that I, too, may one day gaze
upon Thy Divine Son ! Ye saints of my God, have com
passion on me, a poor sinner ! Pray for me that God
may free me from my sins, that the garment of innocence
and purity of heart may be mine !"

His earnest prayers and supplications were abundantly
rewarded, not by a release from sufferings and tempta
tions, but by the bestowal of that strong and dauntless
love which always and in all occurrences seeks only the
greater honor of God. Wherefore his actions from this
time were performed with a spirit of greater generosity
which sprang from a heart inflamed with purer love.
No desire now animated him but that of loving and serv
ing God, suffering and laboring for God; no other desire
than that of being forever united with Him. He multi
plied his penances and exercises of devotion; he spent
much of his leisure time in church, heartily lamenting
the sins of his life. He cries out in loving accents:

4< How much do I not love Thee, O my Jesus ! I love
Thee with my whole soul, but yet 'tis not enough. The
fear of being condemned on account of my sloth still
haunts me. Would that I could die in fulfilment of Thy
good pleasure, O Thou sweet Bridegroom of my soul! I
have only one desire, that of being with Thee. My Lord
Jesus, my Love, my All, gladly would I endure hunger,
thirst, heat, and cold to remain always with Thee in the
Blessed Sacrament ! Would that I might unceasingly
weep over my sins at Thy sacred feet !"

The following lines afford a beautiful example of his
disinterested love for God:

" My joy of heart, my feeling of love for my Jesus, were
very moderate to-day. When I felt my soul trembling
under their influence, I asked Thee, my Jesus, to take
such sweetness from me, and to give me instead the grace
to avoid sin. And yet perhaps I was wrong in making-

Trials and Sufferings. 79

such a request. Is it for me to determine which grace is
the more advantageous to me ?"

His communications with Almighty God were those
of a loving child with an indulgent father:

" Where art Thou in my heart, O Jesus? Art Thou
pleased with me ? Do I not often pain Thee by my im
prudence ? Teach me how to amend my ways. Ah,
how foolish I am ! I forget that Thou art the Physician
of the sick; wilt Thou not take pity on my fainting soul ?
Have patience with me still. I will aim at rooting out
my bad habits. I rejoice to see others love Thee. Would
that I could infuse into all hearts a burning love for
Thee ! How glorified wouldst Thou be on earth if every
human heart were an altar, on which every human will
weje laid in perfect conformity with Thine, to be con
sumed by the fire of Thy love!" Again: "O Infant
Jesus, I desire to love Thee, to love and embrace Thee
with my whole soul ! I desire to love Thee as Thy Holy
Mother, Thy foster-father loved Thee ! Oh, that I had
their humility, their fidelity, their purity, confidence,
and love ! My Divine Redeemer, grant me these virtues !"

If our perfection depends upon our love for God, and if
both are in proportion to our conformity to the Divine
Will, we must conclude that John Neumann, even as a
student, attained a high degree of sanctity. The ac
complishment of God's good pleasure formed the object
of all his aspirations. "O my God," he exclaims, "I
have consecrated myself to thee! Do with me whatever
is most pleasing to Thee!"

The gift of tears was again bestowed upon him, as we
see by the following ingenuous remarks: " I cannot un
derstand how it is that the fire of divine love, which is
enkindled every evening in my long communings with
Almighty God, can become extinguished during the
night. The tears which I shed in such abundance after
evening prayers must quench its flames, for in the morn
ing I feel nothing but dryness." And yet we know how

8o Life of Bishop Neumann.

faithfully, even during the periods of his greatest interior
troubles, he had embraced every opportunity to make
himself worthy of that precious and exceptional grace,
the gift of tears! With admirable tenderness of con
science he sought out the cause of any interruption to
his childlike intercourse with God; and with deep con
trition he deplored the same, firmly resolving to amend.
Once after the usual lamentations respecting his spiritual
aridity he added these words: "But I richly deserved it
for reading a sonnet that was not quite proper. I should
not have read it."

His great love for poetry led him to purchase a volume
of Petrarch's sonnets, which, however, he afterward re
gretted in these terms: " Of what use will this work be to
me ? I did not invoke the light of the Holy Ghost; there
fore I fell into the occasion of sin." For the same reason he
resolved to give up the reading of Shakespeare, although
he found it of great service to him in acquiring English.
Horace came under the same ban, as we see by the fol
lowing lines written on another occasion: " I was faith
ful to all my resolutions to-day until the evening, when I
read one of Horace's satires. Its rhetorical beauty
pleased me. But all profane books, especially if no men
tion is made in them of God, distract the soul and ren
der it unfit for meditation. I am resolved, therefore, to
give up such reading, or to indulge in it only when some
real advantage is to be gained from it."

He had, on the other hand, a high appreciation of the
benefit to be derived from the use of good books. On a
certain occasion, after the erection of a raised seat for
the reader in the refectory, his comments on the same
end by these significant words: "It is truly wonderful
how the reading of a good book revives piety, infuses
the love of well-doing, and affords subject-matter for
conversation on the infinitely good God."

Neumann was, as he tells us himself, passionately fond
of painting; " But," he adds, "I will give it up, for time

Trials and Sufferings. 81

is too precious to be so employed." One evening, after
his examination of conscience, he wrote the following:

" O my God, how I offended Thee by my distractions
during evening prayers ! Ought I not to give up play
ing checkers ? The distractions that follow those games
seem to demand the sacrifice. I will not, for the future,
play until I become excited. I would like to engage
in a game occasionally, in order to overcome tempta
tions to envy at the success of others, or pleasure at their
failure. By limiting myself in this particular I shall
gain more time for my studies. Pardon me, dear Lord,
my sin of this evening. I will no more offend Thee in
this way."

A few days after penning the above, we find him
again accusing himself in the same strain: " The dryness
I experienced to-day prevented my recalling Thy Divine
Presence as frequently as I should have done. No doubt
it arose from my indulgence in chess. I will play chess
no more. Heavenly Father, bless my resolution !"

Now his imtnortification at table gives rise to the
following remarks: " Although to-day I felt somewhat
devout, and fulfilled all my duties diligently, yet I have
not been free from a certain interior trouble. Doubtless
it arose from my excess in eating, for during breakfast
I was inattentive to the reading of the Word of God."

Again, he rejoices in having complied with God's will:
"To-day, after our walk, I felt hungry, and I thought of
buying some apples. But, my God, Thou didst not per
mit me to carry out my intention, and yet the hunger I
felt did not prevent my getting through all the work I
had intended. Now I know that I can fast and work at
the same time, and I will often mortify my appetite."
And, in fact, he at once imposed upon himself a priva
tion by making over to one of his needy companions
half the bread, fish, and soup destined for his own meal.

Not satisfied with the punctual observance of the
seminary rules and regulations, his love of God and de-

82 Life of Bishop Neumann.

sire for perfection urged him to map out for himself a
still stricter mode of life. His great object was to spend
every moment of the twenty-four hours in the manner
most pleasing to his God. And here again he felt the
need of a director. His stock of self-confidence was
not very great. He dreaded going astray; but, after in
voking the Holy Spirit, he formed his resolutions, which
he committed to writing. Five o'clock was the regular
hour for rising, but Neumann determined to advance
it an hour for himself. One morning he failed to rise
with his accustomed alacrity; and we find, in conse
quence, these lines recorded in his journal : " My soul,
what a miserable day! We have displeased our God by
our inconstancy in good resolutions. Although awake
at four, I failed to rise promptly, owing to sloth and
carelessness. The thought of my unfaithfulness haunted
me even in prayer, and I found no consolation. O my
soul, acknowledge thy sloth and ingratitude ! If the
Divine Master should reject so sluggish and disobedient
a disciple, thou wouldst surely forfeit eternal happiness.
How easily thou mightest have fallen into some great
sin if His grace had not shielded thee ! What wilt thou
do with this poor soul of mine, O Jesus ?"

Here are the resolutions above referred to : " On rising
I will recite the morning prayers from ' La Journee du
Chretien' ['The Christian's Day'], and in the evening I
will say the seven penitential psalms, with the usual
prayers. I will meditate on a verse of the Holy Scrip
ture every day. O Holy Spirit, give me Thy grace to
perform all this well. O my Jesus, I will every day re
ceive Holy Communion spiritually, and offer it up for
the prevention of sacrilegious communions. Lord, in
crease in me the effects of Holy Communion. In my
visits to the Blessed Sacrament I will recite the psalms
xiv., xxvi., and Ixxxiii. At the beginning of every sacred
function I will say: 'O good God, incline unto me a
favorable ear!' In church I will sing the hymns with

Trials and Sufferings. 83

the people. Every day I will read a chapter of the ' Fol
lowing of Christ,' one of Canisius, or one from the
' Catechism of the Council of Trent.' At every change
of occupation I will make the sign of the cross, in order
not to lose sight of God's presence. I will be more punc
tual in the fulfilment of the duties of my state; I will
labor with more love and confidence. Every quarter of
an hour I will offer myself to God and make an act of
love."

Whilst our fervent young seminarian was aiming with
all his power to serve his Lord and Master well, he could
not banish the apprehension that he might possibly be in
error. The desire for a guide in the path of perfection
still pursued him, and led him at one time to entertain
the idea of becoming a Jesuit. " It is," he says, " a strict
Order; yet if I live piously, Almighty God will grant me
the grace to comply with its rules." Again: "O my
Jesus, enlighten my confessor that he may make known
to me Thy holy will. Behold me ready to fulfil it! The
desire to be a Jesuit haunts me again to-day, for certain
reports have so inflamed my soul that I long to conse
crate myself entirely to God. My God, give me to know
Thy will; direct my steps ! St. John, pray for me
that, like thyself, I may become a holy priest. I resolve
to lead the austere life of a missionary." Again he says:
" The wish to be a Jesuit is stronger than ever to-day,
and I desire especially to remain here several years
more. The time spent in the novitiate and the year of
probation would greatly conduce to my spiritual advance
ment. Doubtless there are many good confessors among
those fathers, and I would be wonderfully assisted by
the society of so many saintly men. Thy will be done,
O Lord ! Thou seest that the resolution to serve Thee
is firmly fixed in my heart. I am resolved to suffer every
torment of soul and body for Thee, my Jesus ; yes,
even death itself. Do Thou prepare the hearts of my
beloved family and friends, that our separation may

84 Life of Bishop Neumann.

not afflict them too deeply. Indemnify them for the
pain which my obedience to Thy commands will cause
them."

The president of the seminary had on several differ
ent occasions strongly urged the young seminarian to
enter the Society of Jesus. His motive in so doing was,
perhaps, the thought that, in an Order which was accom
plishing so much for the Church, Neumann could more
easily carry out his project of becoming a missionary in
America. His advice, however, produced just the opposite
effect upon the young student, as we see by the follow
ing remarks: " The president spoke to me to-day of the
Jesuits. He praised their institutions, and showed me
a letter just received. The writer recorded, as an in
stance of obedience, the account of a certain Jesuit who,
on his death-bed, expired only after having obtained
leave from his Superior to do so. Then, with a signifi
cant look, the president went on to say that he had been
instrumental in obtaining an entrance into the Order
for several who had so distinguished themselves as to
authorize his proposing others; that a letter of recom
mendation from him would open the doors to a candi
date, etc. But I feel very little inclination to accept his
services, for the way in which he offered them makes
me doubt his sincerity. If I knew it to be Thy holy
will, my Jesus, I would willingly take the step. I beg
Thee, O my God, to let me see clearly what I ought to
do!"

To be a Jesuit was not, however, his vocation. Some
circumstances about this time diverted his attention to
a certain undertaking which, unfortunately, was never
carried out. In May, 1835, Rev. Father Dichtl contem
plated the establishment of a mission-seminary. In this
pious and enlightened priest Neumann had unbounded
confidence. The hope that under his prudent guidance
light would dawn upon his soul, and anxiety as to his
future career cease, was a powerful inducement for the

Trials and Siifferings. 85

young seminarian to view the plan with an eye of ap
proval. But this was not the only motive that enlisted
his sympathy; his far-seeing glance discovered other and
more cogent reasons for wishing well to the projected
institution. May 30, 1835, the journal records these re
marks: u For me, O Jesus, to enter the mission seminary
which Thy servant, Rev. Father Dichtl, thinks of estab
lishing will, I think, contribute more to Thy glory than
my joining the Jesuits would do. To see me a secular
priest and a missionary might encourage many young
students of theology to follow my example. Besides,
would not the contributions to the St. Leopold Society
increase in Bohemia if a missionary were to go forth
from this country? May Thy light, O my Jesus, en
lighten my soul!"

Here we discover the object dearest to young Neu
mann's heart, the only undertaking which he strove to
promote to the best of his ability — the glory of God,
the salvation of souls. His journal of May 23d of the
same year is still more explicit on these points. Moved
by the consideration of the pressing needs of the times
in which he lived, he casts around for means to rouse the
dormant zeal of his companions. Behold his words:
"It would indeed be well if our young seminarians who
really aspire to being good priests, to educate a new gen
eration pleasing to God, would unite more intimately,
would form a close if not a distinct society whose mem
bers would severally labor under the wise direction of
some one leader. True, the priesthood was instituted
for this general object; it has the same ends and the same
obligations. But. the spirit of Christ and His Apostles,
by which they should be animated, has grown cold.
Many have but little faith, and others are wanting in
that zeal which quickened Christ and stimulated the
Apostles to bear all sorts of trials and hardships. Reli
gious Orders of priests were soon formed. As long as
the spirit of the founders animated the sons, they accom-

86 Life of Bishop Neumann.

plished an extraordinary amount of good. But, however
strict, elaborate, or determinate the rules drawn up by
the founder may be, human artifice, or rather diabolical
cunning, can discover loop-holes through which the re
ligious may communicate with the world.

" If Superiors are not in harmony with the spirit of
the founder, abuses, defects, scandals will constantly
creep in, to convert an asylum of godliness into a home
for the lowest passions of man. How fatal has not State
influence been upon the internal well-being of reli
gious Orders! Where now is your spirit, St. ?"

(Here follow the names of several religious founders.)
" What do the religious in your monasteries think of
you ? The rules of an Order should never be tampered
with, even in the smallest particular, by the members of
a community, much less by State officials. What is
holy should be respected as such. Why, in so many re
ligious houses whose duty it is to send forth mission
aries filled with heavenly piety and wisdom, is there so
little knowledge — indeed, no knowledge at all — of that
striving after perfection, that sanctity which should
characterize them ? And look at the wretched state of
the confessional! Who goes to convents nowadays to
become perfect ? Poverty drives some, the hope of a
comfortable life attracts others, ambition is perhaps the
motive that impels others. How does it happen that

the " (here follow the names of certain Orders, male

and female) "are nearly the only ones that harbor saintly
souls ? Ah! it is because they are the most lowly. They
are despised by the world on account of their poverty
and rigid discipline. O Humility, thou dost effect this!"

Joys and sorrows and trials served only to draw John
Neumann more closely to his God. His life now became
one continued meditation on heavenly things, one series
of uninterrupted prayer. Once whilst enduring some
physical ailment, he wrote: "For nearly a week the
pain in my right shoulder has been constant. But, not-

Trials and Sufferings, 87

withstanding its intensity, I would rather bear it than
the hopelessness of suffering in vain." Again: "Dear
Lord, my throat is very sore to-day, but I thank Thee for
it! Bodily ills keep Thy remembrance ever before me,
my Supreme Good! Pardon me, O Lord, if I have done
wrong in applying remedies! I have only myself to
blame for it. Punish me if Thou wilt, but forgive me
likewise. Thy displeasure would be for me a far greater
evil!" The laughter and ridicule which he sometimes
had to endure from his companions he knew how to turn
to good account, by offering all to God. Behold the proof
in the following lines, written with charming ingenuous
ness on some such occasion:

"My God, Thy hand lay heavily upon me to-day!
Shame, sadness, and vexation were mine. My cassock
came home, but it did not fit around the neck. The
students all laughed at me. My neck was the source of
greater vexation to me to-day than my sore throat some
time ago. But I thank Thee, O my Jesus, for this op
portunity of mortifying my vanity! I see now that I
ought to have recourse to Thee more frequently."

In order to have the means of procuring good books,
Neumann imposed upon himself numerous privations,
as well in clothing as in other things. The following is
an instance of this. On a certain New- Year's Day the
students of the seminary went, as usual, to offer their
greetings to the Archbishop. Young Neumann could
not form one of the number, as his old torn cassock was
no longer presentable. He bore the humiliation with
characteristic resignation, exclaiming, as he turned to
his beloved books, " My God, do Thou comfort me!"

He prepared by assiduous application, and still more
by earnest prayer, for his examinations, whilst at the
same time offering to God, in the humility of his heart,
any possible failure that might follow. Such a result
with its attendant disgrace he was willing to endure if
it were more agreeable to God, more salutary to his own

88 Life of Bishop Neumann.

soul. One day he thus addressed himself to God: "Our
new professor will examine us to-morrow. O my God,
give me skill and courage! But should my desire pro
ceed from vanity, hear not my prayer! Yet, Lord, my
heart still bleeds from former wounds, have mercy on
me now !"

On June 3, 1835, we find him delivering his first trial-
sermon. As usual, he prepared for it by imploring
assistance from on high, and begging to be preserved
from discouragement should his effort prove a failure.
"My God," he cries, "I have indeed deserved but
shame and chastisement. But of what use would be
a disheartened missionary?" The sermon, however,
turned out well, as we infer from the usual evening
record: " My Jesus, who didst shield me to-day from
disgrace, who didst infuse into my soul courage to
preach Thy holy Word, what thanks can I render Thee ?
By this Thou hast given me a sign that I am chosen to
announce Thy Gospel to souls redeemed by Thy Blood.
My first trial-sermon was preached to-day in pres
ence of Professor M . He found some fault with my

reading of the last part of the Gospel, some fault with
the connection of certain words. He also criticised one
of my gestures. The expression carnival he did not like,
because of my youth. The composition, however, as
well as the delivery, met his approbation. Jesus, keep
me in holy humility !"

True love for God begets a corresponding love for
one's neighbor. As John Neumann's love of God may
be termed magnanimous, so also may his love of his
neighbor be judged worthy of our highest admiration.
His was a charity which sought to help and console
wherever help or consolation was needed. When the
bestowal of active aid was not in his power, his heart's
best sympathy, his earnest prayers, were freely poured
out on his suffering brother. His own heaviest trials,
his aridity and desolation, even those most painful

Trials and Sufferings. 89

temptations against faith which shrouded his soul in
darkness, could offer no hindrance to his sharing in his
neighbor's griefs. "My God!" he exclaims, " how are
they not to be pitied who have no faith, or who are weak
in their faith ! They believe not in Thee, O my Jesus !
Enlighten them, I beseech Thee ! For this end I offer
Thee the troubles I am enduring in my own wretched
state !"

Sometimes we find the journal recording loving com
plaints to God of his being forgotten, forsaken by his
friends. Letters from his loved companion Schmid, to
whom he so often alludes, seem not to have been forth
coming as frequently as he desired. Witness the follow
ing: " I would gladly write to dear Schmid, could I re
frain from chiding him for his silence. It would not do
to reproach him on his feast-day; rather should I seek
to give him pleasure. I will wait, O Lord, if it so pleases
Thee, till I am in a brighter mood."

On October 23d the good friend above referred to
made known his intention of entering the Collegiate
Society of Hohenfuhrt, a piece of information which was
far from gratifying to Neumann. Both had agreed to
labor together in America, and here now was a cloud
overcasting that bright prospect. In his chagrin and
disappointment Neumann turned to God: "If I did but
know it to be an inspiration from Thee, my God ! Have
mercy on him ! Oh, that it be not vanity or discourage
ment which has induced him to take this resolution! A
resolve to change one's state, to give up a pious design,
ought not to be the result of one day's reflection."

Among all his college companions we find mention

made of only one, of L , who seems to have been a

man after his own heart. He rejoices on one occasion

that L had acquitted himself creditably in a certain

discourse before Professor M . And again, he re
marks: "I spoke to-day with my good friend L on

the subject of the priesthood, the confessional, etc. My

90 Life of Bishop Neumann.

God, strengthen him that he may become a good priest,
a consolation and guiding angel to Thy people !"

Rev. Father Dichtl, of whom we have already made
mention, was stationed at the cathedral of Budweis.
With evangelical freedom he rebuked the soldiers, and
especially the officers, for their habitual vices, earnestly
reminding them of their obligations as Christians. This
frankness on the part of the zealous priest so exasper
ated certain unruly spirits among them that it was
deemed necessary for him to seek safety in flight. On
hearing of the affair, Neumann rejoiced at the oppor
tunity offered his friend to suffer for Christ's sake, and
thus alludes to it in his journal: "This day will ever be
a memorable one to me, since it brought me the news of
Father Dichtl's having to flee from the revenge of the
soldiers whose vices he had reproved. O my Jesus,
Thou knowest how my heart beat for joy when I learned
that Thy faithful servant had had an opportunity to dis
play his courage and fidelity in Thy service. O Jesus,
grant me, also, and grant to all Thy priests, the courage
to resist the world !"

In proportion to his joy at seeing God glorified by
word or deed was his sorrow on witnessing any offence
against Him. " I experienced a sweet feeling of devo
tion," he writes, "on visiting the holy relics in the
churches of Prague; but I was indignant on seeing the
disrespect shown to holy-water."

Neumann, as we may believe, paid few visits of cere
mony. The world and its formalities had no charms for
one whose thoughts and aspirations soared to a higher
level. Once only do we find his journal recording such a
visit. He seems to have been unable to avoid it; but, as
was his wont, he turned it to good account by referring
it to God: "Dear holy patron," he exclaims, "Madame

C has sent for me. I must call upon her. Do thou

procure, if it so please God, that I may be put to shame.
My God, if such be Thy will, I will visit this lady. Lead

Trials and Sufferings. 91

me as Thou didst lead Lydia to St. Paul; yet, if it be
Thy good pleasure for all to despise me, may Thy will be
done!" Next day he wrote: "I have been to Madame

C 's. She received me like a mother. Oh, how good,

how pious and charitable she must be ! Be merciful to
her, my Jesus ! She showed me some writings of the
Empress Caroline Augusta, and of our Emperor Francis
who now sleeps in the Lord. My God, grant our present
Emperor the spirit of piety, for they say that he sup
pressed the convent at Welk."

As Neumann approached the term of his desires, the
greater became the obstacles to their execution. Hope
held out to him her flattering promises, yet only to in
crease his disappointment when they remained unful
filled. His confidence, however, firm as the basis on
which it rested, God Himself, no difficulty could daunt.
On June 22, 1835, he received a cheering letter from his
friend Schmid. Its effect upon him we may gather from
the lines which noted its reception: "O my Jesus, I know
not whether to weep for joy or grief ! Yesterday, after
the procession of Corpus Christi, I received Schmid's
letter asking whether I did not want to accompany him
to Strasburg and thence to Philadelphia. Thou know-
est, O my Jesus, that I would willingly suffer and die for
Thee, though I am all unworthy of such a grace ! But
my poor parents — how will they endure the separation ?
I wish to be entirely Thine. Strengthen them, I beseech
Thee, since Thou callest me !"

On the following day Neumann discovered that the
news conveyed by his friend's letter was ill-founded.
He says: "I was speaking to the president to-day, and I
told him, among other things, that Father Dichtl in
tended to take seminarians to Strasburg, thence to sail
next spring for America. But he replied that Father
Dichtl had written to him contradicting the rumor. My
God, Thy will be done ! My own plans are ever before
my mind; and the thought of Jesus, the Almighty One,

92 Life of Bishop Neumann.

who will aid me to fulfil His blessed will, is never absent
from me."

The separation from family and friends, the dangers
and hardships consequent on a missionary life in
America, offered prospects far from seductive to nature.
The difficulties of such an undertaking were fully com
prehended by Neumann, for he says, June 29, 1835:
" Whilst pondering, last evening, on my resolution, sepa
ration from home appeared to me so bitter that I burst
into tears. My Jesus, if it be Thy will, increase my suf
ferings, but hear my prayers ! Let my resolve be put in
execution ! With no other guide than Thyself, O Lord, I
stand on the outskirts of an immense region full of
dangers and difficulties. The final step once taken, there
will be no looking back. No fond parents, no devoted
brother and sisters, no kind friends will greet my land
ing on those far-off shores. I shall meet none but
strangers. There, indeed, I shall find unbelievers who
scoff at Thee, my Jesus, but many souls, also, who
hunger to know Thy Word, O most merciful Saviour !"

Neumann had hoped to be ordained before his depart
ure for the scene of his future labors. To bestow the
priestly benediction upon his beloved parents, to cele
brate his first Mass in the midst of his family and friends,
would have gone far to assuage the grief of parting.
But on July 3d he learned through his friend that they
would be deprived of this consolation; that they would
be obliged to start before their ordination.

As usual, Neumann had recourse to God: "My Lord
and my God, how sad Schmid's letter made me to-day !
I must set out on my journey without giving the priestly
blessing to my dear parents and friends, without offer
ing the Holy Sacrifice for their spiritual welfare. This
thought grieves me to the heart. It will render the sep
aration more difficult, O my Jesus ! But I am Thine,
my parents are Thine ! Multiply my sorrows, but pour
out on them Thy consolations. I have consecrated my-

Trials and Sufferings. 93

self entirely to Thee; Thou art my only Lord ! Be mer
ciful to my parents, as also to those of my friend Schmid !
I will bless Thee for every blow, since Thou dost deal it
in mercy ! As I have recognized Thy holy will, so will
I conform to it !"

On the following day, July 4th, he learned that holy
orders were to be conferred upon all the seminarians,
with the exception of those belonging to the diocese of
Budweis. The reasons for this exception we shall meet
further on. Neumann's humiliation at having been put
off was faithfully recorded in his journal of this date:

" I am quite disheartened to-day. The seminarians of
Prague and Koniggratz will be ordained, though those
cities have a larger number of priests than Budweis."

The last day of his stay at Prague was one of intense
anxiety to Neumann. The final examinations after a
twelve years' course naturally claimed his time and at
tention, whilst his soul was a prey to interior sufferings,
perplexity, and doubt. His journal of the yth runs as
follows :

" How gladly, O my God, would I thank Thee for the
innumerable benefits Thou dost heap upon me ! Yes
terday my examinations ended happily, even more hap
pily than I dared to hope. But my approaching depart
ure from Prague, the postponement of my ordination,
and the arrival of my brother and cousin Janson from
Munich, distract me. I feel discouraged. My cousin
came to be present at my ordination, not knowing of its
having been deferred. His affection for me brought him
to Prague, but I can now afford him no gratification."

Finally, on July 8, 1835, the moment of release arrived,
and he set out from Prague homeward-bound, his feel
ings very foreign to what might be expected from the
successful termination of a twelve years' course of study.
The truth was this: the young seminarian felt very un
certain about his ordination, the first and necessary step
toward the attainment of his noble ambition. Added to

94 Life of Bishop Neumann.

this was the humiliation of receiving a certificate with
" Moral Conduct, First Class." *

In allusion to this circumstance he says : " I left
Prague feeling pretty calm, although with a foreboding
of unpleasant things. That ' Moral Conduct, First
Class ' embittered my joy at the completion of my
career as a student. Only in resignation to the will of
God did I find comfort. I thank Thee, O my God, that
during this time my faith did not waver, else I might
have perished !"

* It would appear from this that there was a higher testimonial
awarded at the seminary which Neumann failed to attain.

Preparations for Departure to America. 95

CHAPTER VII.
Preparations for Departure to America.

ON the morning of July loth Neumann arrived at
his father's house dispirited, as we have seen in
the last chapter, and far from certain as to his future.
And indeed, viewed in the most favorable light, his pros
pects were not cheering. The great object of all his de
sires, the work of the missions, was still far from his
grasp ; the diocese of Budweis possessed more than a
sufficient number of clerical workmen for all its needs,
and the Right Reverend Bishop, with his eighty years
and feeble health, was in no hurry to ordain supernu
merary priests. Permission to leave the country could
not easily be obtained, the episcopal consistory opposing
determined opposition to such departures. As to his
travelling expenses, Neumann, not wishing to tax his
parents, hoped to have them defrayed by the St. Leopold
Society of Vienna. Supposing all the above obstacles
cleared away from his path, there still remained the
most painful and difficult of all, that of breaking the
news to his family. He shrank from causing them pain,
whilst his own heart bled at the thought of separation
from home and friends.

This delay and uncertainty caused him much uneasi
ness, as appears from his journal of the first days of va
cation. " I am in a most embarrassing position," he says,
"and to disclose my resolution to my parents seems al
most impossible. That note, ' First Class ' in moral con
duct, fills me with dissatisfaction. God knows my efforts.
I detest this delay to my eager wishes, and I doubt if
my application for the needed travelling funds will be

96 Life of Bishop Neumann.

successful. My parents and family will surely oppose
my project, and my own heart sinks at the thought of
separation."

Meanwhile Neumann failed not to improve, as far as
he was able, this tedious period of hope and fear. He
took counsel of several pious and learned men, who
severally approved the resolution which Divine Provi
dence appeared to sanction in the following remarkable
manner. About this time, Right Reverend Francis Pat
rick Kenrick, Bishop 4'of Philadelphia, empowered the
director of the Strasburg seminary to engage young
priests or theological students for the American mis
sions. The director applied to Rev. Father Dichtl to
know if such candidates could be found in Bohemia.
Father Dichtl was the confessor of Neumann's personal
friend, and was well acquainted with the desires and
plans of both. It was, consequently, highly gratifying
to him to be able to name the two young seminarians to
the director as aspirants for the American missions. He
took a lively interest in the realization of their long-
cherished intentions, and to him, under God, must be at
tributed its success, as well as that of many other good
works.

But as there was no prospect of their receiving holy
orders under five or six months, the zealous priest ad
vised them to set out at once and await their ordination
in America.

In the interim, Neumann had recourse to prayer. He
spent much of his time in pious pilgrimages to the vari
ous shrines in the neighborhood of Prachatitz, with an
occasional visit to one or other of his fellow-students.

On the second day after his return home he went to
Gojau, a well-known sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin,
and thence proceeded to Krumau and Goldenkron, little
towns in the neighborhood. The last-mentioned place
made a deep impression upon him, as he tells us in his
journal:

Preparations for Departure to America. 97

"The sight of the empty church and the dilapidated,
desecrated convent drew tears to my eyes. What little
Christian sentiment do these words express, 'Work is
more pleasing to God than prayer !' Men seek to justify
the suppression of monasteries on the plea that they
foster idleness."

On July i4th he went to Budweis, hoping to push for
ward the affair nearest his heart. Here he met some
encouragement from his friends, as we learn from
the following remarks: "I arrived in Budweis on the
evening of the i4th, but felt too despondent for any con
versation with Schmid. Next day, however, I met him,
and a talk with him did me immense good. Together
we called on the rector of the seminary, Father Dichtl,
who received us most kindly. His words, 'In your cer
tificate I have given you distinguished in every branch,'
cheered me considerably. The reception from my old
companions was cordial. I do not know whether they
have been informed of my project or not. May our ex
ample inflame their chanty more and more! P is a

perfect Christian. His humility shines forth in word

and deed. S was depressed: mental troubles. May

God be with him! The Right Reverend Bishop gave us
hopes of being ordained soon, though he said nothing
definite as to the time."

Nearly three weeks had now elapsed since his return
from Prague, and he had not yet ventured to disclose
his hopes and desires to his family. At last, however, a
favorable opportunity presented itself, of which he hast
ened to make use. In a few words, clear and decisive,
he unfolded to his mother and sisters his views and in
tentions, his ardent desires to labor in the American
missions, and his firm resolution to do so. His pious
mother, who may have suspected her son's design, ex
hibited neither surprise nor disapprobation. With ma
ternal solicitude she set forth in lively colors the dangers
and hardships of the missionary life; but in such a tone

98 Life of Bishop Neumann.

and manner as to reassure her son and give him to see
that from her, at least, he would meet with no violent
opposition. His sisters, however, were not so easily won
over to his views. It was hard to reconcile themselves
to the thought of giving up so dear a brother, perhaps
forever. They left no means in their power untried to
dissuade him from so perilous an enterprise. The sequel
shows with what result.

Six days later, June 26th, his presence in Budweis was
necessary, and at his friend Schmid's notification he im
mediately set out. Before doing so, however, he sum
moned up courage to inform his father of the object he
had in view. His journal records briefly this victory
over self, and then goes on to mention the business that
had called him to Budweis:

" July 26th," he writes, " before setting out for Budweis,
I made known to my father the project I have in view.
I could see that his distress was intense, though he tried
to conceal it by a smile. The morning after my arrival
in Budweis, I went to confession and communion, in
honor of St. Anne, in the parish church. I was by turns
depressed and joyous. My anguish of heart is unspeak
able, and yet I feel relieved, for I think Jesus has heard
my prayer. He has laid the sorrow of my family on my
shoulders. With Schmid I visited the Right Reverend
Bishop, the Canons, and Professors Leo and Kosel. We
are anxious to win them over to look favorably on our
enterprise."

Whilst Neumann's desire for the missionary life took
new increase day by day, and whilst hourly awaiting the
happy conclusion of preliminary negotiations, he re
ceived from his friend a letter containing the vexatious
intelligence that further delay was in store for them.
It stated that the St. Leopold Society had refused to
advance the necessary funds, alleging that not the two
young seminarians, but the Right Reverend Bishop of
Philadelphia, for whose diocese they were bound, should

Preparations for Departure to America. 99

present a formal petition to that effect; besides this, the
episcopal consistory had refused to sanction their depart
ure until they could present their parents' permission in
writing; and, lastly, passports were withheld on account
of some want of formality in the application for them.

This was bad news for the already sorely-tried student;
but by recourse to prayer, his never-failing remedy in
affliction, peace and courage were restored. Next day
he went for the second time to Budweis. On this jour
ney he took with him his father's written consent to his
leaving home. " Early in the morning, just before set
ting out, I asked my dear father for his consent in writ
ing. He gave it unhesitatingly, though the effort cost
him visible emotion. I thank Thee, my most merciful
Jesus! We started together, my father and I, for he was
going as far as Schwarzbach, where he had some busi
ness. On the way I laid before him all my plans. From
Schwarzbach I went on to Krumau. Beyond Gojau, I
prayed toward evening in the chapel of the Holy Virgin,
for her protection over our undertaking. God granted
me here special devotion. In Krumau, Rev. Father
Pfeifer introduced me to the Right Reverend Prelate.
Such scenes humble me. I feel embarrassed, and I can
not conceal it; and yet I have to put on an air of self-
confidence.

" The Bishop received me most kindly, and told me that
a priest of his diocese would accompany us as soon as
certain obstacles would be removed. Arrived, at length,
at Budweis, I went in quest of Rev. Father Dichtl. I
found that Krbecek had gone to Gmiinden, and Schmid
had not yet arrived; so I was forced to go alone to the
Right Reverend Bishop. I presented him the document
containing my father's consent, authenticated by the
city Dean. His reception was exceedingly cordial and
condescending. I returned to Prachatitz the same day,
though the heat was oppressive and violent thunder
storms succeeding one another in rapid succession."

ioo Life of Bishop Neumann.

Drenched with rain and worn out by fatigue, Neumann
reached home toward midnight. He found, of course,
the house closed and the family retired. Unwilling to
disturb any one at that late hour, he made his entrance
through a kitchen-window which, fortunately for him,
happened to be open. Great was the astonishment next
morning when he issued from his room, and in answer
to the questions as to what kind of supper he had had
the previous evening, he replied with a smile, " Oh, a
piece of bread is enough for me !"

Whilst efforts were being made to facilitate his depart
ure, and his friends were endeavoring to raise the re
quisite funds among the priests of the diocese, Neumann
was employing his time, as we have seen, in furthering
the interests of his soul. We know from his journal that
he paid frequent visits to the various places of pilgrim
age in the neighborhood, at whose shrines he received
many graces. Uniting mortification to prayer, he ap
plied himself to the acquisition of the virtues most
pleasing to God. These pilgrimages were always ac
companied by the reception of the Sacraments of Penance
and Holy Communion, for which he prepared with laud
able fervor and devotion. During a considerable time
he confessed daily, for his tender conscience, or rather
his love for God, gave him no rest until he had removed
every obstacle to the divine intercourse. His heart
yearned for the closest possible union with his only and
dearly Beloved. These pious journeys were made alone
and on foot; consequently we are in ignorance of many
particulars which might redound to his praise. On one
occasion, however, he was accompanied by a fellow-
student, to whom we are indebted for the little we do
know of the piety and zeal with which he performed
these exercises. The following is from the pen of this
student, now the Rev. Father K :

" In the middle of September, 1835, I visited Neumann.
Next morning he received Holy Communion, and we

Preparations for Departure to America. 101

started for Strakonitz, a pilgrimage dedicated to ' Our
Lady of Victory.' We both went to confession and
Holy Communion next morning at Podsrp, in the
church of the Seven Dolors. It was then almost noon.
After partaking of some refreshment at the inn, we re
turned home. It was a very warm day, and I was bathed
in perspiration. I took off my coat, but Neumann with
a smile only buttoned his more closely. The sun was
darting his fierce rays down on my head, which I did my
best to protect, whilst Neumann walked on coolly, hat
in hand, leading in the recitation of the Rosary. In this
way we reached Skocic, where stands a shrine of 'Our
Lady of Help.' We asked the pastor for the church-
keys, but he declined trusting us with them; and so we
were obliged to adore the Most Blessed Sacrament out
side the door. Then we recited together the Profession
of Faith of the Council of Trent, and turned our steps
homeward. It was about seven o'clock in the evening
when we reached my parents' house, where a good sup
per was soon set before us. Neumann smiled, but would
not touch anything. His conduct puzzled me, and I
exclaimed somewhat impatiently, 'Why do you act so ?
You are always tantalizing me. Sit down and eat ! ' 'I
must go,' he replied. ' Where are you going?' I asked.
1 Don't you see that it is already late ?' He sat down,
and I began to help myself, for I was hungry after our
day's journey. But in a few moments up he sprang,
saying in a cheery tone, 'I can easily find my way as
far as Prachatitz,' and seizing his hat, he was off. I ran
after him and insisted on accompanying him. He per
mitted it for a short distance, and then urged me to
return. It so happened that, in spite of his confidence,
he lost his way, and reached home only on the following
morning. 'God punished me,' he remarked some days
after. ' I should have passed the night with you.'
From his conversation that day I discovered his knowl
edge of the interior life. Among other things, he made

IO2 Life of Bishop Neumann.

clear to me the words apex mentis, and explained the way
in which the soul acts."

The pilgrimage referred to in the above account is
thus briefly noticed by Neumann: " On the same day

I went with good K on a pilgrimage to Podsrp and

Strakonitz. Next morning I went to confession and
Holy Communion again, and peace was restored to my
soul. To thee, O my Mother, Our Lady of Podsrp and
Skocic, I owe much ! I love thee with my whole heart."

The poor souls in purgatory claimed alike his sym
pathy and prayers. He often visited the cemetery out
side the city and St. Peter's Church adjoining. One

evening the " good K " accompanied him thither, and

thus alludes to the visit: "One evening in autumn we
went out to St. Peter's, where we prayed till eleven
o'clock. As we were returning, Neumann, pointing to
the cross in the starry sky, said, ' As often as you see
that cross, think of me, as I will of you.' "

The last day of September was devoted to a pilgrim
age to Our Lady's shrines at Klattau and Nepomucene,
the latter the birthplace of Neumann's patron. His ac
count of this visit is highly edifying.

"I was greatly distracted," he writes. " On the 23d
of September I made a sincere confession at the Capu
chins in Schiittenhofen. But I went to Communion
with a scruple which assailed me shortly before receiv
ing. This disturbed my devotion. Perhaps it was a
punishment imposed as a penance. At Klattau, where
I arrived on the 24th, at half-past seven in the morning,
I prayed earnestly in both the churches, though without
any sentiment of devotion. No opportunity for confes
sion presented itself. I was greatly disappointed, for I
would gladly have rid myself of my doubt I had,
moreover, to abstain from Holy Communion, a most
painful privation. With a sad heart, though not with
out a certain mixture of consolation, I went to Nepomu
cene, where God was waiting to visit me in a special

Preparations for Departure to America. 103

manner. I think that, with the exception of the time of
my general confession, I never entered the confessional
with greater fervor or a more upright intention than I
did here. This was Thy work, O Jesus ! Thou didst
hear the prayers of my holy patron. The kind recep
tion given me by the deans was quite in contrast with
that of the curates, though indeed that of the latter
was well merited. I love those curates, however, and
from this day forward I will look upon every priest,
without exception, as the representative of God. I
reached home on the 26th, richly rewarded for the bodily
fatigue and mental suffering I had endured. Now, O
my God, I belong entirely to Thee!"

Another of these pious pilgrimages led him through
Chrobold, where Rev. Anthony Dichtl, brother of the
aforementioned Rev. Herman Dichtl, was pastor. He
invited young Neumann to preach on the Feast of the
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. The invitation was
cheerfully accepted. The devout son of Mary rejoiced
in an opportunity to publish the praises of his good
Mother, the fair Queen of Heaven. To his act of con
trition that day he added these words: "O Mother of
my God, how can one as unworthy as I announce thy
praises ? O pray for me, a poor sinner !"

On the eve of the feast he says: "To-morrow I shall
preach at Chrobold my first sermon in honor of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. No doubt curiosity will attract
many. Thy will be done, O Jesus! If success will not
elate me, help me worthily to announce the praises of
Thy Mother! But if failure be more conducive to my
spiritual advancement, may Thy holy will be done!
Withdraw Thy hand but for one moment, and I shall be
covered with shame and confusion. O Jesus, I am
Thine!" The result of the sermon we may gather from
his notes: "My sermon was not so successful as I had
hoped it would be, but I bore my failure with passable
resignation."

IO4 -Life of Bishop Neumann.

We cannot peruse his journal of this time, nor, indeed,
of any other period of his holy career, without being
edified by the constant manifestation of his one great
desire, viz., to seek and adore in all things the honor of
God and the accomplishment of His most holy will.
We find also in that faithful record of his inmost thoughts
numerous occasions to admire his ever-active and disin
terested charity toward his neighbor. On one of his
journeys to Budweis he met a well-known free-thinker.
Neumann lost no time, but, engaging him in conver
sation, satisfactorily defended the truths of religion.
That evening we find him thanking God for throwing
such an opportunity in his way, and begging a blessing
on his efforts for the spiritual good of the deluded man.

A certain Mr. F with whom he had lately become

acquainted calls forth the following remarks: "He is a
very pious man. Thy Church, O my Jesus, has some
faithful sons after all !"

A visit from one of his fellow-students is noticed in
these words: " Would that I were able to contribute
something toward his perfection! He suffers greatly.
But I am presumptuous in my wish. I am far more im
perfect, more sinful than he." Of another he says: "It
is my opinion that he carries his mysticism too far.
May God grant us His grace!"

Neumann often accompanied his friend to the hospital
in charge of the Gray Nuns. The sight of the care be
stowed upon the poor sick by the good Sisters and their
postulants charmed him. His admiration of their work,
so pleasing to God, finds expression in the following
lines: "Oh, how great must be the fire of divine love
enkindled by the spirit of God in the hearts of these
spouses of heaven! I long to become as perfect as they.
Oh, how charming their heavenly sentiments, their resig
nation, their holy joy, their maternal care! How consol
ing the patience and cheerfulness of the sick! O God,
Thou hast poured into my arid, sinful heart a fulness of

Preparations for Departiire to America. 105

grace for which I cannot even in thought stammer my
thanks!"

Neumann knew how to defend God's honor on proper
occasions; and his words, brief and to the purpose,
rarely gave offence. When his missionary project to
America was rumored abroad, many were the represen
tations and entreaties of friends and acquaintances to
dissuade him from it. His only reply was, "If God
gives me the grace, I shall remain faithful to my resolu
tion."

One friend in particular was untiring in his importu
nities. Among other arguments, he alleged that the
sciences which Neumann had acquired with so much
labor and application would be useless to him in Amer
ica. To this Neumann replied by the question, " Why
do you ship your goods to foreign markets ?" " Because,"
answered his friend, " in foreign markets they command
higher prices." "For the same reason I intend to go to
America," returned Neumann, thus putting an end to
further remonstrance.

One clear, cold December morning, about half-past
four o'clock, the stillness of Prachatitz was broken by
the sharp clanging of the fire-alarm. Neumann sprang
from his bed, threw open his window, and saw flames ris
ing from a neighboring village only a few miles distant.
Dressing hurriedly, he hastened to his father's room.
"Pfefferschlagisonfire!" he cried. "I'm off!" And soon
he was on the scene of action. One house was already
enveloped in flames, whilst the frightened villagers stood
in a crowd uncertain what to do. The danger was immi
nent as the houses were all of wood and close together.
"A ladder!" cried Neumann. " Form two lines and pass
up buckets;" and up he darted, followed by several others.
Water was passed from hand to hand, by which the
flames were kept under until assistance arrived from
Prachatitz. With God's help the fire was soon extin
guished and the homes of the poor villagers saved.

io6 Life of Bishop Neumann.

This village belonged to the sovereignty of Prince
Schwarzenberg, who, some days later, forwarded to Neu
mann a commendatory letter of thanks, inviting him to
apply confidently for any favor he desired. Neumann
quietly slipped the letter into his pocket without even
breaking the seal. His mother, however, with true femi
nine curiosity, questioned him on its contents. Then
only did he draw it forth, break the seal, and read.
"Very probably I shall never make use of this," he re
marked, as he folded it and returned it to his pocket.

In his violent efforts to extinguish the flames he re
ceived a severe wound in the hand. The cold weather
aggravated its grievousness to such a degree that when,
two months later, he set out for America it was not yet
healed. The villagers of Pfefferschlag often inquired
after him, expressing their desire to have him for pastor.
When they were informed quite recently that his biogra
phy was being compiled for publication, they insisted
that the above-mentioned fact should not be forgotten.
They forwarded a statement of it, signed and sealed by
their chief men, with the request that it should be
inserted in the said biography. The account contained
in this document informs us that Neumann worked so
hard that not a single garment on him remained dry.
His coat was encased in icicles. He continued his ex
ertions until he sank from sheer exhaustion, in which
state he was taken to a house near by and provided with
dry clothing and refreshment. A few modest words in
his journal record this event: "On December i3th a
fire broke out in Pfefferschlag. I helped to put it out.
To Thee, O my God, our first thanks are due! By calm
ing the winds Thou didst check the fire and save Thy
poor people from misery!"

John Neumann was silent with regard to whatever
might redound to his own honor; consequently we find
him merely touching upon those extraordinary favors
with which God at times rewarded his fervent prayers

Preparations for Departure to America. 107

and mortifications. His tender conscience gave him no
rest until again and again he had confessed his faults
and imperfections. He loved God truly, he loved Him
above all things, and his only dread was to offend his
only Love. Notwithstanding the violence he was forced
to offer his pride and self-love, he confessed every week,
and sometimes even more frequently. One day he writes
of himself as follows:

" I wanted, in honor of the Most Blessed Virgin, to go
to confession to the Piarist Fathers (Budweis), but I was
disappointed. I could not make up my mind as to the
choice of a confessor. I was not resigned to the will of
God. It was only on the next day that the Blessed Vir
gin granted my wish. Through her gracious interces
sion I resolved to confess to that priest whom I should
happen to meet first. It turned out to be the prefect of
the gymnasium. Then I received Holy Communion in
the parish church. Heavenly peace, resignation, and
joy were restored to my desolate soul. Ah, how I long
to meditate on the immense sufferings of my dearest
Jesus !"

We are astonished on beholding young Neumann's
diligent employment of those hours of vacation, his assi
duity in caring for his spiritual welfare, whilst his friends
in Budweis pushed on preparations for his projected
journey. And yet he regarded himself as an indolent
servant in his Divine Master's vineyard. " Yesterday,"
he writes, "I resolved most earnestly to lead a strict and
retired life. Both to-day and yesterday, O my Jesus, I
have had to ask Thy pardon several times; yet, so far,
Thou hast not answered me as Thou art wont to do !"

On November ist he laid down for himself a rule of
life in which the hours from four in the morning till
eleven at night were to be conscientiously divided be
tween prayer and study. So high was Neumann's appre
ciation of the sanctity of God that, notwithstanding his
rare gift of tears, his mortified life, and his regular recep-

io8 Life of Bishop Neumann.

tion of the Sacraments, he never thought his penance
adequate to his sins. He exclaims in his journal, " Ah,
woe is me ! Of what avail are my tears, O God, when I
offend Thee by my deeds ? Oh, that these tears might
lessen my pain and wash out my sins ! O Jesus, behold
me here by Thy cross ! Hear my prayer ! Alas, I have
so basely crucified Thee ! Forgive me ! O Cross, I trem
ble before Thee ! Far rather would I kneel at Thy crib,

0 Divine Child, were I less sinful! I offer Thee only
desires, no works; therefore how can I hope for pardon ?
On Thy heart my hot tears have fallen; do Thou soften
my hard heart, dear Infant Jesus ! Oh, that I had never
come into this world, since I am in it only to give Thee
pain ! O Divine Child, did I know that my tears would
reconcile me to Thee, they should flow till sight would
fail! But what are tears without works?"

About the middle of December a letter from his friend
Schmid bore him the welcome intelligence that the long-
expected passports had been received by the episcopal
consistory, and that a collection was being taken up
among the priests to meet the expenses of the journey.
Rejoicing at the happy progress of his affairs, Neumann,
as usual, confided his emotions of joy and gratitude to
the pages of his faithful journal:

"My God, pardon me for not thanking Thee with all
my heart as I should! My will is bound up with Thine;

1 desire only what Thou dost desire ! Oh, what pain this
leave-taking will cause my poor heart ! My grief bor
ders on despair; it draws from me these supplications.
O Jesus, upon me, the wretched malefactor, let the whole
weight of this bitter trial fall! Brand me, Thy penitent,
with Thine own hand, but soothe my parents' grief !
With the assistance of Thy grace I will be able to en
dure the blows of Thy merciful justice, for they come
from Thee, most amiable Jesus, my Love, my Treasure,
my All! Have mercy on me !"

At last the final preparations were made, the moment

Preparations for Departure to America. 109

for departure was at hand, and the struggle going on in
the breast of our noble young student may best be de
picted in his own words: "I tremble at the thought of
parting from my parents, my brother, my sisters ! My
heart is torn with anguish! O Jesus, Thou who hast in
spired the resolution, grant me strength to fulfil it ! All
things urge upon me the necessity of doing so. Oh, what
sacrifices have to be made in Thy service ! The Broth
ers of Mercy must constantly sacrifice many things in
order to follow out their vocation in the care of the sick
— and I? what am I doing here ? Cannot I, too, resolve
to do something for God ? O my Jesus, give me
strength!"

And yet, it must be allowed, the result of this long
preparation, this waiting and hoping for six weary
months, was far from satisfactory. Only after repeated
petitions and negotiations was a passport granted which
was to hold good for three years; Neumann's undertak
ing was approved neither by the Bishop nor his chap
ter; and the St. Leopold Society absolutely refused to
supply funds for the journey. Through Rev. Father
Dichtl's efforts, however, a sum was raised among the
priests of the diocese, but it was scarcely sufficient to de
fray the expenses of one individual. It was decided,
therefore, that Neumann should set out alone, and that
his friend should follow as soon as practicable. The
director of the seminary had promised to every mis-
sioner going to America the sum of four or five hundred
francs to supply any deficit in travelling expenses. Avail
ing himself of this kind offer, Neumann saw at last the
obstacles to his long-cherished desires removed. We
shall, however, see, as we follow him step by step in his
career of self-sacrifice, that the removal of present obsta
cles did not mean immunity from those of the future.

1 10 Life of Bis/iop Neumann.

CHAPTER VIII.
Departure from Home.

ON February 8, 1836, John Neumann bade farewell
to Prachatitz, his native place, though not to his
parents and family. Mr. Neumann, in giving his con
sent to his son's leaving home, had made use of these
words: " If you believe yourself called by God, we shall
put no obstacle in your way, but you must not take leave
of us." The father was visibly affected at the thought of
losing this first-born son, who had never before caused him
a moment's pain. As the young student frequently ab
sented himself from home, either to go to Budweis or to
make a pilgrimage to some hallowed shrine, his doing so
at this particular time called forth no special comment
from any member of the family. Merely signifying his
intention of going to Budweis, he set out with the pain
at his heart all the more poignant from his efforts to con
ceal it under an appearance of indifference. His fare
well letter to his beloved parents, dated from Budweis,
February nth, affords some intimation of the feelings
which prompted it:

" MY VERY DEAR PARENTS:

" By my sudden and unexpected departure I designed
to lessen our mutual pain of separation, as much on your
account as on my own. Convinced that your parental
blessing will follow me wherever I go, I forebore for the
reason stated to ask it before leaving you. I feel assured,
also, that the thanks I owe you for so many and so great
benefits, and which I now express in writing, you will
accept as if tendered by word of mouth. I am persuaded

Departure front Home. 1 1 1

that the career in which I am about to embark, and
which, with God's blessing, I shall faithfully pursue, will
be conducive to your spiritual good also.

" You have, my dear parents, the right to lay claim to
whatever return my affection could possibly make you,
and, God knows, I would have done my duty in this
matter ! But the unalterable resolution cherished for
three years, in spite of so many hindrances, and which
was so near being fulfilled; the ease with which I ac
quired the knowledge necessary for my future career,
with many other circumstances, combine to assure me
that it is God who calls upon me for this sacrifice,
however painful, in behalf of the ignorant and aban
doned. These considerations, added to the conviction
that my sacrifice will be beneficial not only to my own
soul but to yours likewise, determines me not to relin
quish the end in view. My dear parents, may you bear
patiently and resignedly this trial imposed upon us by
God ! The greater our sorrows now, the greater our
joys hereafter. God would not demand such a sacrifice,
did He not deem it salutary to us and were He not
willing to impart the necessary strength. May His
holy will be done !

" I thank you for all you have sent me. You have fur
nished me too abundantly; less would have been suffi
cient. In a few days I shall set out by way of Linz. To
morrow I call on the Bishop.

" I embrace you with all my heart, and beg you to
present my regards to the Reverend Dean and the other
priests of my acquaintance. My heart-felt thanks to the
charitable ladies of Prachatitz for all their very accept
able gifts. From Nancy I will write soon again.

" Begging your prayers, I remain your devoted and
grateful son, JOHN N. NEUMANN.

" BUDWEIS, February n, 1836."

His separation from home and friends was a bitter
pang to Neumann's sensitive heart, one too keen for en-

112 Life of Bishop Neumann.

durance, perhaps, had not his intense love for God come
in to rectify natural feeling. He thinks only of his
Jesus; he sighs only for union with Him. "Ah, Lord
Jesus," he cries, "Thou must tear my heart from this
world that it may be healed ! O Jesus, be my Saviour !"

On February i8th he left Budweis, though not till he
had implored a blessing from the Right Reverend Bishop.
The favor was indeed accorded, although his lordship
plainly intimated dissatisfaction at his going abroad.
Distressing doubts and disappointments awaited him;
but trust in God's providence buoyed him up to bear
them manfully.

" The thought of the journey before me," he says,
" banished every other care. I became almost insensible
to other considerations."

The road to Linz led through the Bohemian forest,
and snow lay on the ground to the depth of from four
teen to fifteen feet. His friend Schmid accompanied
him a considerable distance. The journal informs us:

"At Einsiedeln my dear Schmid and I parted. But
few words had been interchanged by us in the stage
coach, for we had little to communicate. The thought
that now I have so many for whom I must pray weighs
upon me. My unworthy prayers can do my benefactors
little good, and still I yearn to show my gratitude."

On arriving at Linz, Neumann's first care was to visit
his Lord in the tabernacle of some church, and there to
pour out his heart in praise and prayer. Thence he re
paired to the seminary, where a cordial reception was
tendered him by the rector, Rev. Father Stolzenthaler.
Next day he was introduced to Bishop Ziegler, who hon
ored the young missionary with an entertainment and a
Latin address. Neumann thus records these items:

" Yesterday I prayed, with many tears, in the beautiful
parish church. My heart grew strong, and my resolution
of last week revived. Then I went to the seminary,
where I was received by the rector with the greatest

Departure from Home. 113

courtesy. This roused my courage. To-day I called on
the Bishop. What an apostolic man ! 'Have you not
the Holy Ghost to enlighten and teach you ? ' he said to
me with fatherly kindness. O God, how holy and
mighty art Thou !"

On the morning of February 2oth he arrived at Mu
nich. Under this date we find the following expressions
of gratitude, the outpourings of his noble heart:

" The rector, the spiritual director, and the sub-rector
of the seminary at Linz provided for me in a truly pa
ternal manner. May God reward them ! The Bishop
was extremely kind, and told me to write to him at once
should I be in any need. He assured me of his readi
ness to come to my assistance. May God reward him
for his charity !"

Young Neumann's next visit was to his cousin Janson,
who resided in Munich, after which he attended to some
business for his friends of Budvveis and Linz. While
thus engaged he met Rev. Father Henni, a missionary
from the diocese of Cincinnati, later Archbishop of Mil
waukee. Through this reverend gentleman Neumann
learned that German priests were indeed badly needed
in some parts of the United States, though not in Phila
delphia just at that moment; that Bishop Kenrick had

revoked the order given to Dr. N , director of the

seminary, but that admission might, perhaps, be secured
to the diocese of New York, Detroit, or Vincennes. Right
Rev. Bishop Brute, of Vincennes, he further stated, was
then in Rome, but was expected in Paris at Easter.
There he might meet him, confer with him upon the
subject nearest his heart, and perhaps cross the ocean in
his company. Father Henni, moreover, strongly advised
the young student not to start for America without a
permit from his Bishop. These communications were
not very encouraging. They might, perhaps, have
shaken the resolution of one less dauntless than John
Neumann. But in his case they had only the effect of

H4 Life of Bishop Neumann.

sending him to the source of strength and courage

resignation to the holy will of God. His journal of this
date runs as follows:

" The information just received casts me down. Why ?
Will Canon N furnish funds for my travelling ex
penses ? Will he give me a recommendation? Shall I
receive the written discharge from my Bishop ? How shall
I be received under the circumstances ? I am almost dis
heartened. What is worse than all else is that in these
trials I cannot encourage myself with the thought that
my heart is pure. I know full well that I have naught
but sin. Perhaps God has forsaken me on that account.
Prayer has grown irksome; my efforts seem vain and
fruitless. O Jesus, have mercy on me! Jesus, living
God, make haste to help me! The waters of tribulation
are rising, my feet find no solid resting-place. My God,
I am sinking! Save me, O Lord; I perish! Say not,
'Thou art not deserving of pardon.' Lord, hadst Thou
willed to glorify Thy justice in me, I should have died
a million deaths! But T implore Thee to show forth in
me the greatness of Thy mercy; forgive me my sins!
Behold, my bodily strength is well-nigh exhausted by
my journey; how will it bear up against the mental trials
that now assail me ? Jesus, my Jesus, Son of David,
have mercy on me! My dear Mother Mary, St. Joseph,
my guardian angel, my holy patron, pray for me!"

As there was little room for hope of his being received
into the diocese of Philadelphia, Professor Philipps
offered to interest himself to secure him admittance into
the diocese of Vincennes. It was therefore decided that
Neumann should await in Strasburg an answer from
Bishop Brute. On his journey thither he stayed two
days at Augsburg, where he received hospitality from
Rev. Father Fischert, of the cathedral-chapter, and his
curate, Dr. Schmidt. He had a letter of introduction
from Dr. Stadtler of Munich to Mr. Charles Brug, editor
of the Sion. Some of the citizens of Prachatitz had,

Departure from Home. 115

shortly before, forwarded through this gentleman a pious
gift to Sweden. This circumstance, joined to the letter
of introduction, secured for our traveller a most flattering
reception, cordial beyond expectation. On taking leave,
a number of prayer-books and religious works were pre
sented to him for the American mission. Before quitting
Augsburg he made the following note in his journal:

" I have indeed arrived thus far safe. But I feel de
jected, owing in part to the state of my soul, the delay
in my journey, and the visits I have been obliged to pay.
O my Jesus, truly present in Thy Blessed and Most Won
derful Sacrament, help me! He will !"

At last, February 27th, he reached Strasburg, and
with his letters of introduction repaired to the seminary.
Here he was most graciously received, although disap
pointments seemed to await him at every turn; one dis
appeared only to give place to another. Philadelphia,
he was again informed, needed no German priests, and
the funds promised him had been given to other mission
aries from Alsace and Lorraine. Dr. N consoled Neu
mann by promising to apply for his admission into the
diocese of New York. He further assured him that funds
would be forthcoming on his presenting a letter of in
troduction from himself to a certain merchant in Paris.
The latter, he said, was a friend of the missions and
would, without doubt, advance a considerable sum in
their interest. He advised him also, in consideration of
his slender means, to set out immediately for Paris and
there await an answer from the Bishop of Vincennes.
These incidents gave rise to the following notes in our
young student's journal:

" Perhaps I shall be received into the diocese of New

York. No money to be had in this place. Dr. N has

received no letter, and I no written discharge from my
Bishop. Yet all this troubles me little. God does not
afflict me with all these evils at once, but only one by one;
it is a salutary school for me. Reasoning from the past, I

n6 Life of Bishop Neumann.

shall, doubtless, have many more crosses to endure. I
rejoice at the thought, for thereby I shall be able to
atone for my sins. Help me, O God! Be not Thou far
from me when tribulations come upon me! I have a
presentiment of approaching sorrow; my heart grows
restless and uneasy. My soul is dry and parched, as if
a tempest were about to burst upon it. Thank God that
I can raise my eyes to Him with confidence!"

On the afternoon of the following day, March 3d, he
left Strasburg with a heavy heart.

"March 3d. — I will start at four o'clock to-day for
Nancy. I received no pecuniary assistance here at Stras
burg, though I was told I might have better success in
Paris. Now I plunge into the uncertain. It seems to

me that Dr. N is not well informed in this matter; the

truth is, it looks like some underhand game. But no evil
can befall me, for I am Thine, my Jesus, and Thou art
mine! Men cannot injure me, for Thou art omnipotent!
Out of my poor purse I have to pay the freight of other
people's books. But if they only serve to glorify Thy
name, dear Jesus, I am willing to hunger and to pay, for
I love Thee in my poverty !"

On arriving at Nancy, Neumann's first care was to
despatch a second letter to his parents, to acquaint them
of his movements up to that time and relieve their anx
iety on his account. After describing the various inci
dents of his journey, he says:

" Almighty God, who confirms me more and more in
my resolution and gives me the physical strength nec
essary to accomplish the work I have begun, will surely
recompense you for the sacrifice demanded of you. He
always helps us to do what He requires of us. Let this
thought, which inspires me with courage, console you. I
embrace you," etc., etc.

Neumann hoped to meet in Strasburg Rev. Father
Schaefer, who, like himself, was bound for America; but
he had not yet arrived. Behold the journal of this date:

Departure from Home. 117

"I was disappointed more than ever here at Strasburg.
How will affairs turn out in Nancy ? Will Father Schaefer
come? On Monday I leave for Paris. Admission to
either the diocese of New York or Vincennes is uncertain.
O Jesus, I am under Thy protection! The greater the
struggle, the more glorious the victory. Thy will be
done, O Lord, on earth as it is in heaven ! I shall very
probably experience some perplexity in Nancy, where
French is the spoken language. But I shall be no loser
thereby, for God is present when distress is greatest.
Lord, show Thy love for me, that, in return, I may love
Thee more confidingly! Jesus, have mercy on Thy poor
servant who for Thy sake has left father and mother
and all things dear to him! For Thee, my Jesus, I live,
for Thee I die, in life and in death all Thine !"

He remained four days at Nancy, awaiting Father
Schaefer's arrival. During this interval he prepared
himself, as usual, for the worthy reception of his Eucha-
ristic God, from every one of whose visits he gathered
innumerable graces and laid up a new increase of strength
against future trials.

He writes, March 5th: " My stay here has been so pro
longed that my funds are becoming low. It can be of
no possible advantage to me. But Thou art powerful,

0 my Jesus; in Thee will I confide. I will never despair,
however uncertain my position may be. Lord, permit
me not to be distracted by the bustle of this world! Re
call my wandering soul to thoughts of Thyself whenever
the things of this life have turned it away from Thee.
To-morrow I shall again venture to approach Thy sacred
Banquet."

" March yth. — Yesterday I experienced great devotion
in my Communion, which I received at the Cathedral, and

1 made a vow to recite daily the ' Little Hours ' of the
Church. May it be agreeable in the sight of God, and
may He grant me the grace to fulfil it whenever it is pos
sible ! I went to the Sisters of Charity of St. Charles

ii8 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Borromeo. They gave me a little book entitled ' Novena
to St. Francis Xavier.' I will make the novena at my
first opportunity. The confessor of the sick presented
me with some relics of the blood of a martyred mission
ary of Cochin China. This good priest, along with two
others, greatly approves my undertaking, though all
three think it rash to set out without a written dis
charge and recommendation from my Bishop."

Neumann took special interest in the Congregation of
the Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo, Nancy.
Two considerations influenced him: first, because shortly
before three postulants from Budweis had been sent
thither by Rev. Father Dichtl with the view of introduc
ing those pious and zealous religious into Bohemia; and
secondly, because his own sister Joanna was to enter
among them as soon as a house of their Congregation
should be opened in Prague.

On March nth, to Neumann's great joy, Rev. Father
Schaefer arrived. At 4 P.M. of the same day they set
out for Paris, which they reached late that night. Next
morning they sought hospitality at the seminary of St.
Sulpice, but were dismissed with the remark that stran
gers could not be admitted. They then turned their
steps to the house of " Foreign Missions." Here, also,
they were regarded with a sort of suspicion. It was
only after repeated entreaties that a room was assigned
them for which they were to pay twenty francs a month.
This unusual conduct on the part of those otherwise
hospitable gentlemen may have been prompted by the
odium cast upon the German priesthood in consequence
of the question of clerical celibacy agitated by the clergy
of Wirtemberg and Baden.

Disappointment and chagrin attended Neumann's
every step in Paris. The rich merchant whose gene
rosity toward the missions had been so vaunted was
nowhere to be found; no letter was forthcoming from
Bishop Brute; and his slender purse of only two hundred

Departure from Home. 119

francs was already considerably reduced. Reluctantly
following advice, he resolved to await the expected an
swer from Bishop Brute, into whose diocese both he and
Rev. Father Schaefer had applied for admission.

Neumann's impressions of Paris are found in his third
letter to his parents:

" I arrived in Paris about the middle of Lent, and the
first walk I took showed me this city in glaring colors.
I met a procession of masked fools. Carnival downs I
cannot call them; for, as I said, it was mid-Lent, and
Lenten clowns would be an appellation not only quite in
admissible, but among Christians altogether unchristian.
Some were on foot, some on horseback, and others in
chariots. Their behavior was simply scandalous. I
marvel that the earth did not open and swallow them
alive. However sad this picture, that of the great devo
tion in the churches was consoling. I was indeed sur
prised to see in this so-much-decried city the crowds
that filled the sacred edifices. Not only are the poor
and the aged there to be seen, but multitudes of the
higher classes. This proves that the apparently impos
sible is possible to God. He can cause a camel to pass
through the eye of a needle. He can harmonize riches
with piety. During Holy Week, especially, the churches
presented the sublime spectacle of divine life in God.
Here may be seen the faithful of every condition in life
kneeling during the consecration, kissing the floor, fre
quenting confession and Holy Communion, etc. In
short, Paris can display the two extremes of piety and
wickedness."

As usual, we behold Neumann making good use of his
stay in Paris. He frequented the various churches, daily
heard Mass in one or even several, visited the Blessed
Sacrament, recited the Rosary, made the Via Crucis,
and performed many other exercises of devotion. Sev
eral times in the week he approached the Holy Table,
his heart burning with the purest love, springing from

I2O Life of Bishop Neumann.

his. lively faith. Behold a few extracts from his
journal:

"March i8th, eve of the Feast of St. Joseph. — I should
like to receive Holy Communion to-morrow. Would
that my soul were purer, that my God might be better
pleased with me ! O Jesus, I long to receive Thee !
Thou knowest the yearning of my soul after the Bread
of Angels; but if, by communicating, I should be so
unhappy as to commit a sin, rather let me die to-night
than live to offend Thee !"

The feast of the following day was spent in the spirit
of the Church, and was in consequence fraught with
graces for the fervent young student. On the evening
of the i9th he thus records the events of the day:

" Our Lord has given me to-day innumerable bless
ings through the intercession of St. Joseph, whose feast
we celebrated. I made the earnest resolution to recite
matins daily, though I made no vow as yet regarding
this part of the breviary. I will strive to keep my reso
lution in honor of St. Joseph. I went to Notre Dame,
the church of Our Lady, the spouse of St. Joseph.
There the Lord led me to the privileged altar of the
saint, at which I received Holy Communion."

It was Neumann's good fortune frequently to be pres
ent at the Abbe Lacordaire's sermons. He loved to lis
ten to the eloquence of the great Dominican preacher,
though his notes record the fact in very brief words:
" It has become fashionable for the young people here
to attend Pere Lacordaire's sermons. The church is
always crowded."

He appears to have been particularly impressed by
the example of the Sisters of Charity, of whom he re
peatedly makes mention. Under date of March 3oth he
expresses the edification the mere sight of them caused
him: " The presence of these saintly religious in a church,
their modest demeanor on the street, enkindles in my
heart the love of Jesus. Would that it were in my power

Departure from Home. 1 2 i

to introduce them into other cities ! What joy that
would be to my heart ! Happy Prague ! A great
blessing is in store for thee ! Mayest thou be ever
blessed, for I owe thee much !" At Prague, as we have
before intimated, a foundation of these Sisters was to
be established through the efforts of Rev. Father
Dichtl.

The house in which Neumann and his reverend com
panion resided whilst in Paris offered to the ardent soul
of the former food for reflection and multiplied aspira
tions to God. It was the house of the "Foreign Mis
sions," and the thought of the brave hearts that had
gone forth from its hallowed precincts, that had toiled
and suffered for the glory of the Heavenly Master,
everywhere suggested itself.

"Oye glorified friends of God," he exclaimed, "ye
who once dwelt under this roof, who occupied this very
room, ye who gave your life-blood for Jesus, pray for me,
a poor sinner, that the Almighty may deign to make me
like unto you !"

The beautiful church of St. Genevieve, converted by
the Revolution into a pantheon, exerted a saddening in
fluence on Neumann's mind. His indignation finds vent
in these words:

"Alas for Christians changed to Pagans! O God,
have mercy on us! Permit not these multitudes of Thy
creatures to perish forever! They are Thy creatures; for
them Thy well-beloved Son shed His Blood."

One day, whilst returning from the church of St.
Roche, he lost his way and wandered into one of the
picture-galleries of the Louvre. That evening he records
the following: "Too great liberty of the eyes. Perhaps
purity of heart has suffered thereby. So will it ever
be when one runs wilfully into dangerous occasions."
And here follow heart-felt expressions of self-condemna
tion. He looks upon himself as impure, unfaithful, an
outcast, the greatest of sinners. Peace of heart was

122 Life of Bishop Neumann.

restored only after having unburdened his conscience in
the tribunal of penance. Behold his resolutions of
amendment:

''Henceforth I will be more on my guard. I will use
my glasses only when absolutely necessary, that my soul
may be less open to the attacks of Satan, who enters
through the eyes. I will remain more in my own
room, and study French and English. This will give
Thee greater honor, my Jesus, than the gratification
of my curiosity would do. On Fridays I will make
the Stations and recite the Rosary. O Jesus, assist
me to keep these resolutions according to Thy holy will !
Thou hast already taught me how to fast and pray; the
former I must practise more diligently, that my flesh may
not become rebellious."

Father Schaefer and Neumann often took long walks
together. On returning from one of these rambles,
Neumann records the following significant remark:
"Thanks to Thee, O my Jesus, the picture-gallery was
closed! Had it been otherwise, matters might have gone
badly with me."

The privation on which he so heartily congratulated
himself was, however, amply compensated by the pleas
ure derived from a visit to the zoological and horticul
tural gardens.

Another temptation, more difficult for one of Neu
mann's inclinations to resist, was that held out by the
bookstores. Many were the purchases there made of
what seemed to him at the time either absolutely neces
sary or, at least, very useful; but after-thought generally
brought with it the conviction that such outlays were
not for one of his limited means. Whilst in Paris, he
purchased at different times " Theotymus ;" a Greek
Bible; a Spanish prayer-book; Fleury; the "Works of St.
Francis de Sales;" "Devotion to the Passion of Our
Lord Jesus Christ;" "Entretiens avec Jesus;" "The
Spiritual Combat," etc., etc. Now he rejoices at having

Departure from Home. 123

possessed himself of some coveted treasure, and again
he accuses himself of bibliomania:

"Before God, it is high time for me to put an end to
these purchases. For the future I shall avoid temptation
by staying either at home or in church."

Not many days go by, and we again read: " My great
est temptation is to procure beautiful books. I begin
by imagining that such or such a book would be useful
to me, and that I must have it. This desire is so vehe
ment that it seems to penetrate my very soul, and yet I
ought to entertain myself with Jesus Christ alone. To
day brought me a fresh struggle, another temptation in
the form of a magnificent Greek-English dictionary. I
have wanted one like it a long time. I was on the point
of asking the price, but, with God's help, I resisted the
temptation and hurried into a church. I must struggle
against this enemy which I find ever ready to attack me."

On another occasion a small ivory crucifix attracted
his attention. It was very beautiful, and Neumann, ever
alive to all that is lovely in nature or art, felt that he
must have it. It is needless to say that it was soon
transferred to his possession. The cost, indeed, was not
so great in itself; but when we consider our young hero's
slender purse, we catch, as it were, an insight into the
elevated soul whose happiness lay in the gratification of
such tastes. Nor is it without a certain sense of appre
ciation that we recall the fact that he who knew so well
how to deny his body the usual quantum of food and
rest could not resist the attractions held forth by books
and beautiful specimens of sacred art. The circumstance
of the ivory crucifix called for the following note in his
journal. We cannot read it without a sympathetic glow
in our own heart, and we congratulate him on the pos
session of his treasure: "My little crucifix has given me
the greatest pleasure. I have long wished for such a
one. Seven francs do not seem so much for what affords
such gratification."

1 24 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Neumann's stay in Paris soon grew tedious. To the
silent pages of his faithful journal he confides the
uneasiness and misgivings aroused by Bishop Brute's
long delay in replying to his letter:

" March 22d. — Still in Paris, almost two hundred Ger
man miles from my loved country, where the tender care
of friends and relatives would lighten the burden of my
existence. My funds have dwindled to one hundred and
twenty-five francs, and here must I stay till the Sunday
after Easter. O my God, what shall I do if Bishop
Brute does not come, or if he will not receive me?"

Again: " My soul is in distress as to the future. My
want of means, the uncertainty of my reception in
America, and even the voyage across the ocean — all com
bine to destroy my peace. Several vessels have been
wrecked lately, and I shrink from the dangers of the
ocean. My want of confidence undoubtedly springs from
my want of mortification. I am too much given to idle
thoughts and desires. I must rise out of all this. St.
Francis Xavier had unbounded confidence, and therefore
God worked miracles through him. After his example,
I will love Jesus more by deeds, and then I, too, shall
have more confidence and courage. O Jesus, Thou hast
indeed much to bear from me! My rudeness heaps
upon Thee a thousand insults, even before it is conscious
of the wrong it inflicts."

On March 20th he felt interiorly urged to make a
review of all his confessions of the past year. The
inspiration fell upon good soil when it entered the soul
of John Neumann, as we may conclude from the follow
ing note:

" Whilst saying my Office, the thought occurred to me
to make another general confession. I will do so at
Montmartre in honor of St. Dionysius and the saintly
priests Ignatius, Francis Xavier, etc., who there entered
into a holy covenant for the greater glory of God. I
will go at once and inquire the regulations of the church

Departure from Home. 125

at Montmartre, that, cleansed from my sins in Thy
Precious Blood, O Jesus, my prayers may be heard, and
I may receive Thy grace! St. Ignatius Loyola, St.
Francis Xavier, St. Francis de Sales, St. Genevieve, all
ye holy souls who in Paris once lived and still live, all ye
whose holy relics rest here, obtain for me, a sinner, the
grace of true repentance!"

Thus resolved, he set to work to note down his sins,
which he did all the more carefully, as he distrusted his
own proficiency in the French language. He feared be
ing betrayed into a want of clearness in expressing him
self. Four days were thus spent. He says: " To-morrow
I will try to finish my examination of conscience. Then
I shall have but one desire, that of making my general
confession as soon and as perfectly as possible. My God,
direct me ! To Thee do I cry from the depths of my
wretched heart ! Have mercy on me ! I weep, but what
kind of tears ? If they were tears of love for Jesus, I
would gather them up as precious pearls. But, alas, they
fall on account of the unhappy state of my soul !"

His examination, lengthy and minute, finished on
March 24th, the eve of the Annunciation: "I have just
finished my examen since my last general confession of
February 14, 1835. O my God, Thou knowest that I
have reopened those wounds of my soul only for the
greater security of my conscience ! This is Thy work,
O my God, for I used to think such an undertaking be
yond my strength ! Thy yoke is sweet and invigorating !
O my Jesus, I fear nothing now, excepting that I may
recall some sins either this evening or to-morrow morn
ing, and so my work remain only half done ! My most
amiable Jesus, Thy wisdom and power have given me
new life, Thy goodness has strengthened me ! O Jesus,
look down upon my sins here laid at the foot of Thy
cross ! Alas, they are wicked deeds ! They nailed Thee,
the Most Holy, my most amiable Lord, my Master, my
God, to the cross ! Oh, would that my heart could melt

126 Life of Bishop Neumann.

with sorrow ! Ah, it is a bitter thought ! My Jesus,
perfect Thy work, give me contrition equal to my sins !
Give me Thy love, that my sorrow may be true and
sincere !"

Circumstances prevented his making his confession at
Montmartre, so he confessed and communicated, on the
Feast of the Annunciation, at the church of Notre Dame.
On the following day he received Holy Communion at
Montmartre, in honor of St. Ignatius. His general con
fession was made with the greatest devotion, fervor, and
childlike sincerity. But, as if to try His servant's cour
age, Almighty God permitted him to fall almost imme
diately into profound desolation, which state continued
throughout the entire day. Let us listen to him as he
describes this severe trial:

"O Lord," he exclaims, "there is naught but gloom
and misery in my soul; the staff on which my hope
rested is broken. I am like a plank at sea dashed about
by the winds and waves. Chaos more dreary, more
desolate than reigned in my soul to-day, could not have
existed before creation."

That evening he again writes: " The storm that raged
in my soul all day has somewhat abated; still I cannot
pray. This morning, full of courage and good resolu
tions, I entered a confessional at Notre Dame, and con
fessed my sins most carefully. My soul was at peace.
But scarcely had I left the confessional when I was over
whelmed by a sense of my own utter unworthiness, such
as I had never before experienced. As for several days
I had looked forward most eagerly to a devout reception
of the Holy Eucharist on this feast, this unexpected trial
fell upon me with crushing weight. It was with diffi
culty I repressed a cry of pain. I moved on to another
altar at which Mass was about to be said. Regarding
the storm so suddenly raised in my soul as a passing
temptation, I was still resolved to communicate. But
when the moment arrived, my conscience was in such a

Departure from Home. 127

state of revolt that I refrained from Holy Communion,
notwithstanding the sacrifices I had made in preparation.
On my return home, Rev. Father Schaefer received a
letter from Bishop Brute, promising him a position in
his diocese, but making no allusion to me. I yielded to
the bitterness of my soul. I had not the strength to
control it, though it would have been better for me had
I done so. Worn out with the struggles of the day, I
fell toward evening into a deep sleep, from which I
awoke refreshed and somewhat comforted. I had been
afraid to pray; it seemed to me so utterly useless. But
now I must say my Office and other prayers, and await
better times."

Next day he writes: "Comparative peace of soul is
again mine. In spite of my little devotion and feeble
desires, I went to Holy Communion. Thanks to God's
grace, I kept perfect guard over my eyes all day. This
morning I copied the protestation from ' Philothea,'
which on the day after to-morrow, my birthday, I will
sign in the church of Montmartre, in honor of the
founder of the Society of Jesus. I will also go to Holy
Communion, if possible. I feel more cheerful to-day."

The day following happened to be Palm-Sunday.
Consolation and encouragement seem to have returned, in
some degree, to Neumann's pious soul: " I went at an early
hour to the church of Notre Dame, and communicated
with some little feeling of devotion. I did this in com
parative peace, despite certain doubts which often de
prive me of my greatest good. I wonder to find myself
so full of courage. I feel ready for any cross, even if
accompanied by disgrace. My greatest trial, however,
would be to have to return home. I should certainly
feel that keenly. But were Almighty God to allow such
a termination to my project, He would not fail to sus
tain me by His grace. If it be for His greater glory and
my own salvation, I am resigned to His holy will. Our
Lord sent me to-day an opportunity of fasting. I gladly

128 Life of Bishop Neumann.

availed myself of it in honor of St. Francis Xavier, who,
as is related in the * Novena,' abstained from all kinds of
d for three and four days at a time during his retreat.
To-morrow, March 28th, my birthday, I will perform my
devotions at Montmartre. and sign the protestation which
I am resolved to read every day, or at least before every
Holy Communion. I have now been saying my Rosary
daily for some time, and many are the graces it has
brought me. I feel that to it I owe the inspirations
which prompted my confessions and good resolutions.
I will continue to recite it with still greater devotion for
my own benefit, as well as for my dear parents, relations,
benefactors, friends, and enemies — in short, for all who
have ever recommended themselves to my prayers. For
sake me not, O God, to-morrow ! Have mercy on
me !"

The morning of the 28th, Neumann's twenty-fifth
birthday, broke dark and lowering. The rain fell in
torrents, but, faithful to his resolution, he set out for
Montmartre, to perform his devotions in honor of St.
Francis Xavier. During the Holy Sacrifice he signed
the protestation which he had previously made in spirit
and in truth. Whilst thus holily engaged, he felt in
spired by Almighty God to receive Holy Communion
more frequently. The incalculable benefit that would
accrue to his soul therefrom was clearly shown him. In
the following words he expresses his gratitude for the
light vouchsafed him:

"O Jesus, with all my heart I thank Thee for teaching
me that only in the frequent reception of Thy Most Holy
Body can I find spiritual nourishment and salvation!"

That same day, as he was returning from church, he
found an opportunity of helping a little child, though in
what he does not tell us: " On my way home, our Lord
granted me the happiness of rendering a trifling service
to a little child." In this remark we discover more than
the words themselves imply; for we see how every

Departure from Home. 129

circumstance of life, even the seemingly indifferent, was
by Neumann directly referred to Almighty God.

Many favors appear to have been bestowed upon him
on this day, in reward, no doubt, of his fidelity. Behold
his own words:

" O my Lord, I thank Thee for the love Thou hast be
gun to plant in my heart! I will cultivate the precious
germ; I will cherish it as coming from Thee, my Heav
enly Spouse! I will guard it day and night that nothing
may injure it; that its delicious- fragrance may greet
Thee on Thy entrance into my heart. But do Thou, O
Lord, water it with the dew of Thy grace; do Thou
cause it to flourish, else it will wither and fall to the
earth. O Mary, Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, in
union with all the saints and angels, pray for me that I
may become a perfect disciple of Jesus!"

Neumann clearly recognized and keenly deplored what
he called his moral infirmities, his lack of energy for
good, his proneness to evil; and heart-felt was his hu
miliation before God when he contemplated his want
of correspondence with grace. " Lord Jesus," he cries,
"do not punish me by detaining me here in Europe, as
I have a thousand times deserved! Poverty and disgrace
I am willing to bear, O my Jesus; but, ah, do not punish
me by holding me back from the sublime and life-giving
struggle for souls! My severe headache prevents my
praying or studying long to-day, though I feel great
need of both. But if my patience will now be more
acceptable to Thee than study or prayer, may Thy holy
will be done!"

Here lay the secret of his strength, the holy will of
God. It sustained him in trial, enlightened him in
doubt, soothed him in anxiety, calmed him in the rudest
storms. Confidence in God, the total abandonment to
Him of self and of everything pertaining to the future,
shone forth conspicuously in Neumann at this time.

" My old courage," he writes, " has revived. Our Lord

130 Life of Bishop Neumann.

has never permitted utter discouragement to assail me,
though the prospects for my journey still cause me con
siderable anxiety. Surely an answer must soon be
forthcoming from Bishop Brute. He must have received
my letter in Lyons. O Jesus, I thank Thee with all my
heart for having placed me in so difficult, so perplexing
a position! O God, my longing for virtue grows more
earnest, more fervent! Grant me, I pray Thee, faith, the
foundation of the Christian life; hope, which sustains in
every combat; and the holy virtue of charity! But, above
all, dearest Jesus, give me Thyself ! To-morrow I will
again present myself to receive Thee, my Creator, my
Redeemer, my Sanctifier!"

The last three days of Holy Week were devoted in a
special manner to the consideration of the sufferings of
our Redeemer. On Wednesday evening of that week he
records the following: "Ah, my Jesus, the bitter-sweet
days of Thy Passion and death draw near! Could I
rightly meditate upon their mysteries, I would do so.
But Thou hast bestowed upon me only the gift of vocal
prayer and the simple consideration of Thy life and
sufferings, for which gift I thank Thee from the bottom
of my heart. To-morrow, Holy Thursday, I will re
ceive Holy Communion in the parish church; then I shall
adore Jesus in His Passion, and visit some of the other
churches."

" Holy Thursday. — On returning home, the thought of
fasting till eight that evening presented itself; but I
waived it, as I intended visiting Father Fischer at noon,
and doubtless he would have invited me to breakfast
with him. But I was prevented. When about to leave
my room, I found that the servant had inadvertently
locked me in. My mishap caused me more satis
faction than regret, since by it I understood that the
inspiration to prolong my fast actually came from God.
I comforted myself with Bourdaloue's sermons. They
inundated my soul with joy and devotion. During the

Departure from Home. 131

evening I received a letter from Rev. Father Rass of
Strasburg, which contributed very much to brighten up
my spirits. Father Rass held out to me the hope of
being received by Right Rev. Bishop Brute, and men
tioned, likewise, his having applied for my admission to
the diocese of New York. My effects are now being
forwarded to me. Full of interior joy, I went to Notre
Dame, heard a sermon, and visited the Holy Sepulchre.
O my Jesus, how is it that on the days that commem
orate Thy great sufferings I receive such graces, taste
such joys, whilst on the glad festivals of the Church it
is just the reverse? Ah, my Jesus, Thou dost wish to
encourage me to bear joy and sorrow equally for Thy
sake!"

Good-Friday was spent by Neumann in church, medi
tating upon Jesus in His Passion, death, and burial.
That evening he accuses himself of having prolonged
his fast only till four o'clock. Then he adds: " My long
ing for the Blessed Sacrament has increased since I have
experienced how much it weakens my bad habits, incli
nations, and passions, gives me strength to combat, and
fills my heart with joy and peace. The love of Jesus
sweetens what is bitter. Temptation is often a subject
of congratulation to me, since it affords me an opportu
nity of proving my fidelity to God. Ah, my Jesus,
how glad I am that Thy death-agony is over! The
thought of Thy sufferings gives me pain; and does not
every sin I commit torture Thee, crucify Thee anew ?
Help me, O my dearest Mother Mary, to fulfil in all
things the most holy will of Thy Son Jesus! Help me,
that I may never more offend Him!"

Holy Saturday found the pious young student still
occupied with thoughts of his Saviour, now resting in the
sepulchre, now risen from the dead. Nearly the whole
day was passed in church, as we read in his own account
of it, which closes with the following childlike petition:

"Ah, my Jesus, stay with me! Or wilt Thou abandon

132 Life of Bishop Neumann.

me to-morrow, as Thou dost generally do on festival-
days ? May Thy will be done! Let me not fall into sin;
teach me to detest and avoid it. Hark to Our Lady, the
angels and saints! They cry in ecstatic joy, 'Alleluia!
The Lord is risen!' O glorified Jesus, have mercy on
me!"

On this day certain individuals of the house behaved
in a rude and insulting manner to young Neumann, who,
as was his wont on such occasions, took little notice of
their conduct. He merely remarks:

" I will pray for all who have offended me, or rather I
will pray for humiliations. I will ask that they may
come upon me in such a way that God may not be of
fended by them, and that I may become more like my
Saviour in patience and meekness. Do I not deserve
severer reprimands, greater punishments ? Truly I do,
O my Jesus! Were the whole world to tread me under
foot, I should still be forced to acknowledge that I de
serve such treatment a thousand times."

The want of correspondence between the ceremonies
he witnessed in the churches of Paris and those of the
Roman ritual, to which he had ever been accustomed,
was by no means agreeable to Neumann. It evoked
from his pen the following remark: " The difference in
the ceremonies made a very disagreeable impression
upon me. It can scarcely be the spirit of Christ that
has introduced such changes; consequently there is
wanting, even in the hymns, that simple, tender, elevat
ing character so noticeable in the Roman liturgy. I
prefer in obedience to accomplish something less per
fect than, through self-seeking and vanity, to attain
greater perfection."

The festival of Easter was in fact, as he had antici
pated, a joyless day to Neumann. Although he had
devoutly received Holy Communion, he grieved over
his tepidity in the performance of other spiritual exer-
ercises. He ascribes his indignation at the changes

Departure from Home. 133

introduced by the Galilean church into her liturgy to his
own pride, for which he imposed on himself a penance.
Finally, we find him resolving no longer to await Bishop
Brute's answer, but to continue his journey on the fol
lowing Tuesday.

On Easter-Monday he communicated, made his thanks
giving till nine o'clock, and then began the necessary
preparations for his voyage. Five P.M. the next day was
fixed for his departure from the great French metropolis.
Twenty-nine francs were expended for fare, the trans
portation of baggage and the box of books received from
Dr. Rass. That evening he writes:

"O God, my undertaking is still marked by unlooked-
for incidents, failures, humiliations, and disappointed
hopes. I see, my God, that Thou dost will to do Thy
work alone. My good God, willingly and cheerfully do
I abandon myself to Thy care! My own designs never
lead to anything good. Be Thou, therefore, my constant
guide and protector! My Jesus, soon shall I embark
upon the sea of Thy Almighty Power! But joyfully will
I accept whatever Thou hast marked out for me, even
death itself if conducive to Thy glory and my own sal
vation!"

Tuesday evening, as previously arranged, he bade
farewell to Paris, no letter having as yet been received
from Bishop Brute. The resolution to confide wholly
in Divine Providence was to be the guiding-star of our
courageous young student, and to it he entrusted the
vocation that was to be his in the New World. Arrived
at last at the station whence the stage-coach was to
start, fancy his dismay on being informed that it had left
just five minutes before! To overtake it he hired a cab,
at a cost of five francs; but on reaching the city limits
the driver refused to proceed further. These incidents
the journal thus records:

"I would not turn back; so, trusting to my strong
limbs, I trudged coolly along the road toward the sea,

134 Life of Bishop Neiimann.

though the sun had already set. It grew darker and
darker, and rain began to fall. The end of this night-
ramble found me thoroughly drenched, though not un
usually fatigued, and so I arrived at Nanterre."

Here he was accosted by a good old Frenchman, who,
noticing the perplexity of the young stranger, conducted
him to the station and assisted him to mount to the top
of the stage-coach, on the point of starting for St. Ger
main. For the good old man's services Neumann had
to pay seventeen sous. At St. Germain he found time
to make a pencil-note of the condition of his soul:

" Ah! what is this, my dearest Jesus?" he asks. " Thou
dost tighten the reins, that I may not wander from the
right path. Dear Lord, I thank Thee for it! My pre
sent position is full of the most painful uncertainty, yet
this, too, is Thy most holy will. Mayest Thou, O my
Jesus, be forever blessed! Bright and early to-mor
row I will go on foot to Rouen. I shall reach it in good
time. I had better spend the nights in travelling, for
then I shall not have to pay for lodgings. However,
may Thy holy will be done, my Jesus! I will practise
resignation in adversity for the love of Thee, that Thou
mayest have mercy on me and on all my loved ones.
Lord Jesus, how sweet dost Thou not make my painful
position! Lord, stay with me now and ever! Amen!"

Early next morning he set out on foot for Meulan,
where, for ten francs, he purchased a seat on the stage
coach bound for Havre. At Rouen he entered the fol
lowing note in his journal: "My dearest Jesus, I thank
Thee for this day of suffering! Since my journey began,
this is the first day Thou didst try me sharply! But,
with the help of Thy grace, I have overcome my enemy.
I have been far from well; my head ached all day; the
past and the future lay like a hundredweight upon my
heart; the conductor's rudeness aggravated my dis
tressed position; but, because I turned to Thee, my
Jesus, or rather because Thou didst turn to me, I bore

Departure from Home. 135

all patiently for Thy love! O Jesus, I renew my morn
ing offering of the sufferings of this day. I offer them
for Thy glory, for the good of my own soul, and for the
souls of those to whom I am related as son, brother,
relative, subject, and client. My God, I now near the
term of my journey in this part of my native land. Soon
shall I leave it. O Jesus, forgive the sins I have com
mitted here in the Old World! Help me, O Almighty
Lord, to overcome, to root out the wicked passions that
have taken possession of me! Nowhere am I better off
than with Thee, my Jesus! While crossing a marshy
tract to-day, I lost my crucifix. I certainly regret my
little treasure; but what does it signify, provided I lose
not Thee, my Jesus ? Since Thou hast permitted this
loss to befall me, I beseech Thee, for the sake of the
tears with which I so often bedewed the little crucifix,
to allow it to fall in the way of some pious soul who will
embrace it with greater love, shed over it tears of truer
contrition than I ever did! Oh, that I, miserable sinner
as I am, could proclaim to all the world the sweetness of
Thy love, the happiness hidden in suffering with Thee
and for Thee, my dear Redeemer! Ah! this privilege
will indeed be mine when Thou hast received me into
Thy holy service. Come to my aid, O my Lord;
strengthen me in good that I be not a sounding bell,
calling others to devotions in which it never joins itself!
Ah, Lord, I am now alone! no friend, no acquaintance,
and in a strange land! But, surely, Thou dost ordain
this, in order to prove that Thou Thyself, the strong
God, will combat for me! Oh, lead me safe to-morrow
into the haven [Havre de Grace], as Thou once didst lead
me into the haven of grace! Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
mercy!"

A very pleasing little incident occurred to our young
-tfaveller-on his journey to Havre, which we cannot but
ascribe to the loving care of Divine Providence in his
regard. At one of the stations on the road the coach

136 Life of Bishop Neumann.

i

halted, and Neumann's travelling companions alighted
to take dinner. Neumann, also, began to feel his
strength giving out; nature called for food. Alighting
with the rest, he followed the direction of the crowd,
but at a slower pace, mentally revolving the question as
to how with the least outlay he could procure some
refreshment for his weary frame. Just at this moment
a friendly voice fell upon his ear, as if calling to him.
Turning his eyes in the direction of the sound, he beheld
a tidy-looking little woman, who proved to be the inn
keeper's wife, beckoning him into one of the eating-
rooms. He obeyed the sign and entered almost mechan
ically. He soon found himself at table with several
dishes set before him. But here he paused embarrassed,
and excused himself from partaking of the food on the
plea of want of means. Such variety, he said, was not
necessary; he could do with less. " Eat, eat," said his
kind-hearted hostess encouragingly; " we will not quar
rel over the bill." Neumann waited for no second invi
tation, and, after a hearty meal, the words, " Pray for us,
pray for us!" was all he heard by way of settlement.

On April yth our travellers arrived at Havre. Neu
mann's first care was to visit his Lord in the Blessed
Sacrament, after which he satisfied his desire for a sight
of the mighty ocean. After making inquiries concerning
the departure of vessels for New York, he returned to
his lodgings and, according to custom, spent a part
of the evening recording in his journal the events of the
day.

" My situation here at Havre is beset with difficulties.
With my imperfect knowledge of both French and Eng
lish, I am likely to be imposed upon, and even a small
loss is more than I can afford just now. I saw the ocean
to-day for the first time. It is not exactly what I im
agined. O my God, will this voyage of mine end suc
cessfully? I saw the vessel in which very probably I
shall embark for New York. The thought of travelling

Departure from Home. 137

alone, without an acquaintance or friend, is not very
cheering. But why this fear, as if there were no God!
But I am not worthy of His protection. Be at peace, O
my soul! To-morrow the Lord Jesus Christ in Holy
Communion will again strengthen thy weakness. I will
try to spend the whole of the forenoon in church to
morrow, and in the afternoon I will make inquiries about
my voyage, etc. O God, be Thou my guide, my inter
preter. Remember that my undertaking pertains to
Thy glory. For two days I have been prevented from
saying my Office, but I will now resume it."

Next day, after a long search, Neumann found the
ship Europa. The price of passage-tickets ranged from
ninety to one hundred and twenty francs. This piece of
information greatly relieved our young traveller's mind,
as he still had funds enough to cover his expenses. A
letter from Rev. Father Schaefer, who was still in Paris,
came most opportunely about the same time, and con
tributed largely to his satisfaction. It contained a check
for his baggage, which was being forwarded to him from
Paris. His journal says:

" Father Schaefer's truly fraternal letter came like a
gleam of sunshine. My God, reward this good man who
has shown me so much kindness! He is the only one in
France who seemed to take an interest in me, and he
has shown it even beyond his means. May God reward
him in heaven!"

Neumann's stay at Havre was far from pleasant.
Every day brought him some new trouble. On April
8th he writes: " My spirits ran unusually low to-day.
My boots are nearly worn out; the weather is rainy; the
prospect of remaining here till the i6th and even longer
— all this depressed me. I became almost home-sick.
But I offered all to God; I prayed, and my sadness was
somewhat dissipated. Our table is in style, but for the
future I will only breakfast here. Bread, with the addi
tion of butter, perhaps, will satisfy me for dinner. Could

138 Life of Bishop Neumann.

I go aboard ship at once, I would do so; but I hardly
think that would be allowed. God seems to ordain
that, like Gideon, I should be deprived of all natural
succor, that His divine power may be more strikingly
manifested in me. I shall, however, try what I can do,
and if not successful I must be resigned to the will of
God. In the morning I shall communicate, that in this
* Haven of Grace ' I may find much grace. My God, this
poor heart of mine yearns for home to-day. What are
my loved ones, my parents, my brother, my sisters, now
doing? Ah! they often anxiously think of me. I will
write to-morrow and try to console them. O my God,
lay my parents' sorrow on me! Give them peace now
in their old age. Oh, how I love them! My God, have
mercy on us all! Grant us to meet again in heaven and,
with no fear of parting, to be happy with Thee for all
eternity! The loss of my ivory crucifix, and portfolio
containing relics, has cost me tears to-day; they were
my dear treasures. Now I am poor indeed. I had no
idea how near they were to my heart. O Jesus, I de
plore their loss! P 's leaflet; the blood of the Cochin-

China martyr; the scrap of linen belonging to Blessed
Electa, etc., etc. — all gone! Ah, my Jesus! I did not deserve
to possess those sweet mementos. Thou shalt have the
love I once bestowed upon them. Help me to persevere
in good, to be humble, courageous, meek, pious, holy!"

Thus did Neumann spend those tedious days in
Havre, praying, communicating, visiting the churches,
and pouring out his whole soul to God. At last, to his
great joy, he was told that the moment of departure
would soon arrive. Urged by his eager desire to reach
the land of his hopes, the scene of his future labors in
God's service, he let no day pass without inquiries re
specting the vessels bound for America. In answer to
his questioning, he learned that besides the ship Europa
there were two smaller vessels, the Sully and the Troy,
to sail about the same time as the first-named, and for

Departure from Home. 139

the same destination. This circumstance had the effect
of lowering the Europa's tickets, and allowed young
Neumann to secure for himself a second-class passage.
April 1 2th was the day fixed for departure, and on the
eve we find the following remarks in that fruitful source
from which we have drawn so largely for the foregoing
pages:

"My Jesus, I recognize this favor as coming from
Thee ! Thou hast heard my request; Thou hast granted
my prayer. Oh, how I may now rejoice ! Mayest Thou
be forever praised ! After so many struggles, I am again
at peace. O Jesus, I will never forget Thee, since Thou
hast so graciously remembered me ! Bless my enter
prise ! May it tend to Thy greater glory ! My soul is
full of joy. I will bless Thee, O Lord, all the rest of my
days ! To-morrow I shall inform my parents and Father
Dichtl of my success thus far. They, too, will rejoice.
They, too, will praise Thee, O my Jesus ! Now I must
see to having my baggage conveyed to the vessel, on
which I am to embark to-morrow. Lord Jesus, stay
with me, assist me, grant me success ! Ah, I must be
diligent in my project, since the Lord blesses my plans !
O Jesus, remain with me, and grant me ever to remain
with Thee !"

Contrary to expectation, the Europa did not sail till
the 2oth, eight days later than previously arranged.
Those eight days, as we may readily conjecture from the
past, were not blanks in the life of our pious young
student. The weariness of delay he relieved by prayer
and good works. Day followed day, and finally the
morning of the 20th dawned. For the last time in many
years he had the happiness to receive Holy Communion
on the soil of the Old World. Noon brought the long-
sighed-for signal; the Europa weighed anchor and stood
out for sea, bearing with her under the guiding hand of
God one who was to be, at a later period, one of the
brightest and holiest ornaments of the American hier-

140 Life of Bishop Neumann.

archy — John Nepomucene Neumann. Nineteen years
later we shall find him returning to his native land
under circumstances very different from those that sur
rounded his lonely and unnoticed departure, though the
heart beating under the pectoral cross remained un
changed. It was still the humble, devoted heart in love
with that God for whose honor and glory alone it
throbbed.

Voyage to tke New World. 141

CHAPTER IX.
Voyage to the New World.

AT last, after the numerous difficulties and multiplied
disappointments above recorded, sufficient it might
seem to daunt the bravest heart, Neumann found him
self on board a vessel bound for the New World. What
cared he that, among the multitudes hurrying to and fro,
not one familiar face met his anxious gaze; that most of
his fellow-passengers were of the humblest walks of life;
that of the two hundred German emigrants most of
them were Protestants, some from Berne in Switzerland,
others from Alsace, Lorraine, and Baden ? The love of
God that glowed in his heart, that animated his every
action, that nerved him to set out alone, friendless and
almost penniless, in answer to the voice that called,
ignored all such considerations. God, and God alone,
was the end, the object of all his desires, in comparison
of whose attainment all things else sank into insignifi
cance. Forty long days did that voyage last. We must
remember it was in the year 1836; and not till two years
later, 1838, did steamships make regular passages across
the Atlantic. Then the Sirius and the Great Western
began to run between London and Bristol and New York.
Each day of this long ocean-trip was duly recorded by
Neumann. Four days of storm greatly retarded their
progress, as the ship was driven back by adverse winds.
Neumann suffered only slightly from sea-sickness; after
the first three days he was wholly free from its attacks.
During one of the storms above alluded to his life was
saved in a truly providential manner. The time not
spent in his devotions, which, as we know, were many,

142 Life of Bishop Neumann.

was devoted to study and reading, or in musing upon
the designs of Divine Providence in his regard. One
day the storm raged so fiercely as to drive the passengers
below deck. Neumann, absorbed in anxious specula
tions on his uncertain future, alone remained above.
Lost in thought, he took no heed of the rolling billows
and the tossing ship now rising, now sinking on the
foaming waves. Suddenly he started as if touched by
an invisible hand, and lo ! scarcely had he stepped for
ward, when with a terrible crash down came the sailyard
upon the very spot on which he had stood one instant
before ! That moment witnessed Neumann's uncondi
tional surrender of himself into the hands of Divine
Providence. Long years after he loved to revert to
this incident as to the one which awakened in his soul
unbounded confidence in the paternal protection of Al
mighty God.

Some days later a change of atmosphere betokened
the vicinity of icebergs, and on the following morning
Neumann gazed in admiring wonder on those floating
mountains of glittering crystal. Again did he raise his
soul in gratitude to God for averting from himself and
his fellow-voyagers this formidable danger. In all that
met his eye, the ocean's broad expanse, now rising and
swelling in mighty billows that threatened destruction
to the huge vessel riding on its waves, now reposing like
some potent monster in the proud consciousness of its
own strength, the never-ending sky lit up by the dazzling
rays of the noonday sun, or anon wrapped in angry, low
ering clouds, or sparkling at night with myriads of glow
ing gems whose scintillations were mirrored in the waters
beneath — all, all spoke to our hero's loving heart of the
omnipotence, the wisdom, the goodness of God. " My
God!" he cries out, " how great Thou art, how wonder
ful in all Thy works! Ah, what graces hast Thou not
heaped upon me since I left my native shores! Speak
to me, my God; let me know Thy will; for behold me

Voyage to the New World. 143

ready to fulfil Thy every command! The difficult, the
irksome, I will patiently endure for love of Thee. Be
hold me in Thy hands! My heart exults in the manifes
tations of Thy power. O dearest Infant Jesus, what joy
to contemplate Thy infinite greatness! O dearest Child,
Thy tiny hands have hollowed out the ocean's vast
abyss!"

A weary calm of several days, at another time, retarded
our voyager's progress. Neumann remarks: "A calm
of three days has kept us back. Here we lie on the
waves, neither advancing nor receding; meanwhile our
provisions are getting low. Alas, my God! is it not thus
with my poor soul? Thanks to Thy grace, I fear sin;
but how is it with regard to my progress in the spiritual
life ? Lord, have mercy on me! I am spending the
precious time which should be consumed in Thy service
in doing absolutely nothing. I would like, on reaching
America, to devote myself, at least for a while, to the care
of the sick, or rather to God in the person of the sick.
It seems highly improbable that I shall be received
into the diocese of New York. Still, my Jesus, I am in
peace; nay, I even rejoice in the anticipation of suffer
ings. They will, doubtless, procure for me many graces.
Humble me, purify me more and more, that Thou, my
Lord and my God, mayest find an acceptable resting-
place in my heart."

Again he writes: "This is the third of the rogation-
days. Oh, what a consoling thought! Were I at home,
how joyfully would I not assist at the processions of this
day and supplicate Thee, my God, to bless the fruits of
the earth! But now it is Thy holy will that I should be
cut off from all such consolations; that I should live, as I
hope to die, only for Thee. I offer Thee, dear God, as a
substitute for those processions, my sufferings, my mis
ery, my loneliness."

"Feast of the Ascension. — O holy day of my Lord's
ascension, thou art welcome! The thought that my

144 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Jesus has left our earth has moved me to tears. Yes
terday and to-day I made many good resolutions for
my future. God gave me, also, an opportunity of prac
tising humility under contempt and insult. I bore it
patiently, though with violence to my feelings."

The gentle, retiring, and religious demeanor of the
young traveller, so different from all around him, did not
fail to attract the attention of his fellow-voyagers, who
sometimes greeted him, in consequence, with derisive
laughter and cutting remarks. To this he seems to al
lude in the sentences just quoted.

"I have learned by experience," he continues, "that
the daily reading of ' Philothea* is a powerful means of
fostering devotion. It renders the practice of virtue
easy. Give Thyself to me, O dearest little Jesus, and
give me, also, Thy most amiable Mother!"

" Pentecost. — My wants here at sea are easily satisfied;
y^J* but if, on reaching New York, I shall have to continue
my journey, uncertain whither to turn, I fear my courage
will fail. If not received in any diocese of America, I
shall seek a hermitage in some vast forest, or on some
plain. There, my God, if it be Thy will, I shall serve
Thee alone and do penance for my own and others' sins.
Oh, how greatly would not such a life contribute to my
spiritual good! My God, permit it to me, and teach me
the best way of setting about it! Mary, my guardian
angel, my holy patrons, all ye saints of heaven, pray for
me!"

?/y On the Monday after Pentecost, Neumann was quite
sick, the effect of a sudden change of temperature. It
was not, however, a very serious indisposition, for we
again find him using his pen: "Though sick, yet I feel
somewhat more disposed to piety. My sufferings should
be pleasing to me, dear Jesus, since they afford me a
chance of practising patience. From the quantity of
sea-weed we saw yesterday we may conclude that land
is near. Soon, O Jesus, the dreaded voyage will be

Voyage to the New World. 145

accomplished. What happiness for me! Whether I
shall become a priest or not, I shall now have hourly op
portunities to atone for my sins. Oh, how have I deserved
such a favor ! — I who have so often rejected Thy graces!
My fancy loves to dwell upon the solitary life I purpose
leading, if it be the will of God that I should not be
ordained. This question will soon be decided. Con
fiding in Thee, dearest Infant Jesus, I dread not the fu
ture. My Lord, my God, what am I doing ? Am I not
pondering too much on the future, which is still beyond
my grasp, and too little on my present opportunities of
perfecting myself by the practice of virtue ? O God,
grant that I may soon purify my troubled conscience by
a good confession and regain my strength of soul in Holy
Communion!"

On the eve of Trinity Sunday a light fog partly ob
scured the horizon, through which the crew of the Europa
caught their first glimpse of the New World. Twenty-
four hours later, Trinity Sunday evening, the ship an
chored at quarantine, about three miles below Staten
Island. What were now the feelings of those weary
voyagers, for forty long days and nights beaten about
by the winds and waves! What, above all, were young
Neumann's emotions on finding himself after so many
struggles, so many disappointments, at the term for
whichhehad so ardently sighed! But fresh obstacles,
new delays, were in store for him before setting foot on
those far-famed shores. On the eve of Corpus Christi
he writes: jjk j^}(,

" Since Trinity Sunday we have lain at anchor within
sight of New York. O my God, with Thy assistance so
near to my destination, and yet with so little hope, so
little consolation! I tried at least six times to-day to
find some means of reaching the island, whence I might
cross over to the city by steamboat. I am so anxious to
celebrate in church the great love-feast of my Redeemer
to-morrow. I could have spent the night praying in the

146 Life of Bishop Neumann.

open air. But all my attempts, my entreaties, were vain.
My God, why hast Thou forsaken me ? O my soul, thou
of little faith! Poor and friendless, I will present my
self to Thy Bishop, dear Lord. His heart is in Thy
hands. Thou art the Almighty God; do Thou incline
that heart to Thy own glory, to my good and that of my
dear family! Alas, I am not wise; I know not what is
profitable to me! Graciously accept the sacrifice of my
resignation! Ah! I know well that no one is less worthy
than I to enter that land in which I am resolved to serve
Thee. Still the desire to land haunts me. The captain's
knavery incenses me, and the incessant humiliations to
which I am subjected almost crush me. My Jesus,
behold the burden that rests upon me! My loved par
ents, my brother and sisters, the priesthood, worldly
honors, ease — all these I have renounced for Jesus
Christ. What will my future be ? What is in store for
me?"

Neumann's first letter from America describes his own
feelings and those of his fellow-voyagers at the sight of
land and the city of New York :

" How grateful to the eye, after a long voyage, is the
sight of land ! The sensation is indescribable ; it must
be experienced to be understood. Forty days after our
departure from Havre we hailed land. Oh, the glad
sight! In spite of the drenching rain, we stood on
deck as long as the waning light permitted anything
to be seen. We gazed with delight on the charming
green banks dotted with light red houses and gayly
painted cottages. They produce a most pleasing effect.
All hands, even the poor sick, came up on deck, for
getful of suffering and hardship. Some shouted for
joy, some sang snatches of song, all were jubilant at
the thought of setting foot on land once more. Oh,
what happiness must inundate the heart of the just
man when, stretched on his dying bed, he sees the end
of his trials and miseries approaching, and heaven, the

Voyage to tJte New World. 147

land of his desires and affections, opening out before
him !

"But our joy was soon checked. The captain an
nounced that, owing to the unfavorable wind and the
presence of sickness on board, we would have to remain
at sea some days longer, perhaps even a whole week.
Most unwelcome news was this, as the water for drink
ing had grown offensive, and provisions were becoming
scarce."

Neumann's eagerness to reach land induced him to
apply once more to the captain. The latter, overcome
by the young man's earnestness, consented at last to
having him conveyed next morning to Staten Island.
Eleven o'clock next day, the Feast of Corpus Christi,
saw the promise redeemed, and Neumann landed on the
island, whence by steamboat he reached New York about

I P.M.

" What emotions were mine at that moment," he goes
on to say in his letter, "you can imagine. My first care
was to hunt up a Catholic church. The rain fell in tor
rents. Up one street, down another ; but no Catholic
church could I find, though I searched till evening. I
indeed came across numberless meeting-houses, but
nowhere what I sought. I had to call all my philologi
cal skill into play to decipher the inscriptions on those
edifices informing the passer-by to what particular sect
they belonged. One had only a plain flat roof ; another
was surmounted by a vane ; a third had a cross, above
which turned a weather-cock. The devil, I thought,
may array himself in fine garments, but the cloven foot
will be sure to appear. These places of worship were
all locked ; only from one, a Wesleyan meeting-house,
did I see several men coming out, their hats on and
each with a cigar in his mouth. My search was fruit
less, and at last I turned to look for lodgings at an inn
kept by a Swiss. Next morning my host pointed out
the direction to the nearest Catholic church. I soon

148 Life of Bishop Neumann.

reached it, and recognized it by its simple cross. It was
a church for English-speaking Catholics. There I re
ceived the address of the Right Reverend Bishop and
the German pastor who lives with him. An hour later
I arrived at the Cathedral, where the first one I met was
Rev. Father Raffeiner. He showed the greatest aston
ishment at my unexpected appearance. He informed
me that Dr. Rass had applied for my admission into the
diocese ; that I had been accepted three weeks before,
and a letter to that effect despatched to Europe. Father
Raffeiner then took me to Bishop Dubois, who, in his
surprise and joy, knew not whether to welcome me in
Latin, French, or English. After examining my testi
monials, he repeated that I had been accepted, but that
he had expected several theological students, and he
very much regretted their not having come with me.
He added that his need of a German priest was so great
that he was on the point of sending to Philadelphia for
one. He promised to ordain me on his return from his
pastoral visitation, which had already been mapped out.
Though eighty years of age, he never omits his duty."

The emotions that now held sway in young Neu
mann's heart on this happy fulfilment of his long-cher
ished desires we must leave to his own pen to depict.
In his usual childlike manner he turns to God, the Au
thor of all his success :

" Thanks, a thousand thanks to Thee, my Jesus, for
having prepared a place for me in Thy sanctuary. Now
free from anxiety, I can enter into myself. This I do
the more gladly as I know it to be my duty. Oh, what
emotions were mine when, on the Feast of Corpus
Christi, I set foot on American soil ! I felt interiorly
urged to look for a church. I wandered about in the
rain till evening, but in vain. The next morning I met
Father Raffeiner. My God, how can I thank Thee for
Thy goodness in sending me to so paternal, so pious a
man ! Here I am at last ! Doubt and uncertainty have

Voyage to the New World. 149

vanished like mist before the rays of the sun. I may
now look forward with confidence to the speedy attain
ment of my hopes. Silently, O my Jesus, silently but
surely hast Thou disentangled the knot which once ap
peared to me so difficult. Three weeks even before my
arrival here was my reception agreed upon. Very likely
my friends have been apprised of it by this time. Oh,
what an apostolic man is our Bishop ! Whenever I think
of him, St. John the Evangelist rises up before me. My
God, I am seized with fear when I consider the sanctity
of the office that awaits me and compare with it my
own unworthiness. Lord, punish me not in Thy anger!
Take from me the burden, or, dear Lord, increase my
strength and faith, my hope and charity, a thousand
fold! Enkindle in my heart charity toward my neigh
bor. In such sentiments I would be willing to die ; I
would not care what might happen to me. Oh, joyful
thought! now I shall really be Thy servant ; now I shall
be able to receive Thee, my Jesus, often, often! O
Jesus, I must henceforth labor for the salvation of
others. Do Thou strengthen my weakness ! Be Thou
forever praised, dearest Jesus, my Lord and my God!
Behold, rny life, my strength, my whole being, all that
I have, all that I am, I devote to Thy greater glory."

PART II.

JOHN N. NEUMANN AS A SECULAR PRIEST.
1836-1840.

CHAPTER I.

John Neumann is Raised to the Dignity of the
Priesthood.

/"CANDIDATES for holy orders are, as a general
V^/ thing, allowed several days of retreat in prepara
tion for the worthy reception of the Sacrament. During
those days an experienced director superintends their
exercises and imparts to them a practical knowledge of
the various ceremonies of the Church. This privilege,
so grateful to a soul seeking God, was not to fall to John
Neumann's share. Circumstances arising from the im
perative demand for a German pastor did not permit
him such an advantage. Father Raffeiner lost no time
in charging young Neumann with the duty of giving
regular instructions in Christian Doctrine to the Ger
man congregation of St. Nicholas* Church, and of cate
chising the children of the school in preparation for
their First Communion, which duties were most cheer
fully and zealously performed. No assistance that he
could possibly render his neighbor was ever withheld by
our pious student. To prepare young souls for the
worthy reception of Holy Communion, and to awaken in

Raised to the Dignity of the Priesthood. 1 5 1

them the liveliest devotion toward the Most Blessed
Sacrament, were his greatest delight. He frequently
declared it his conviction that a subsequent virtuous or
vicious life depends upon a worthy or an unworthy First
Communion. His efforts in behalf of the little ones en
trusted to his care were always accompanied by fervent
petitions to Heaven imploring grace for them. " Jesus,
Thou Friend of children," he would exclaim, "have
mercy on these poor little ones whom I am preparing for
Thy Banquet of love !"

On June 19, 1836, in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Neumann
received, from the hands of Bishop Dubois, the first of
the holy orders, that of subdeacon. How devoutly and
earnestly he prepared for its reception we may gather
from his own words recorded that same evening in his
journal:

" O my Jesus, how I glory in belonging to Thee ! how
I glory in being Thine, in possessing Thee without re
serve ! Yesterday Thou didst pardon me my sins, and
to-day — be Thou eternally praised ! — Thou didst not only
visit me, but Thou didst also confer upon me the sacred
order of subdeaconship. O Lord, Thou hast graciously
accepted the vow of perpetual chastity which Thy Holy
Church requires of me, and which I most gladly make
to Thee. O Jesus, I promise, with all my heart, to obey
Thee in the person of Thy pastor, in simplicity, in love,
and in veneration. I will love Thy Church. She is now
my spouse, since I have bid farewell to the world; and I
will serve her because she is Thy spouse, O my Divine
Affianced ! Thou hast wedded her by Thy sacred Incar
nation, purified and sanctified her by Thy holy doctrine,
Thy life, and Thy bitter Passion, that, stainless, she may
be like unto Thee, my dearest Lord. O my Jesus, Thou
hast received me, a most miserable sinner; Thou hast
graciously admitted me to the service of Thy Church.
Oh, draw me powerfully to Thy holy Cross, that I, too,
may become pure and pious and holy; that, as a de-

152 Life of Bishop Neumann.

voted servant of Thy holy Church, I may walk without
blemish before Thee and before men in the way of Thy
Commandments ! Thy death, O Jesus, has made all
men my brethren. Come Thou, O Holy Ghost, come
Thou upon me, a wretched sinner, that, placed on the
candlestick by the unfathomable decrees of Thy mercy,
I may show forth to the world the way of eternal salva
tion ! Grant me, O Thou the Light of souls, not only
to teach Thy holy Word to others, but do Thou come
upon me, Thou Strength of the weak, that my life and
my works may exhibit faith made fruitful by Thy grace!
I shall be ordained under the title of the American
Missions; my conduct must henceforth be a living ex
pression of my gratitude. Until my final ordination, I
will remain, as much as possible, in retirement and
prayer. I shall map out my future in accordance with
the rules of St. Francis de Sales. O Holy Spirit, direct
me in all my ways ! To-day or to-morrow I must write
to my loved parents. They will rejoice with me, and
thank Thee, the Giver of all good gifts. Oh, what joy
will not my letter give the Reverend Dean !"

On the following day he again gives vent to the holy
emotion of his soul in such words as these :

" The order of subdeacon has exerted an extraordi
narily beneficial influence upon my soul. I am now sep
arated from the world: and what could be more salutary
to sinful man ? The reception of this order has filled
me with courage, increased my confidence in God, and
inflamed my love for Him. The Divine Office is
now of obligation for me, and I am released from the
vow made at Nancy. O Jesus, I promised Thee yester
day to say the Rosary every day in honor of Thy dear
est Mother, my mediatrix, to secure her assistance in the
discharge of my duties, and to beg her protection over
my dear ones at home. To-day I renew this vow.
Grant me ever, O my God, Thy holy grace !"

As the time for Neumann's final ordination and first

Raised to the Dignity of the Priesthood. 153

Mass drew near, the more ardent became his familiar
colloquies with his Lord and Saviour.
:•'.." June 23d. — My Jesus, I know not how to spend this
day, the eve of that on which I shall receive the great
Sacrament ! My God, what shall I do ? Ah ! nothing
else than remain here by Thy lowly but glorious Crib,
near to Thy delightful Banquet, by Thy holy Cross. Ah,
how confused is my poor soul before Thee ! My God,
how couldst Thou love us so much ? Alas ! wretched
sinner that I am, I can only cast myself into the dust
before Thee ! With the Blessed Virgin Thy Mother,
and with St. Joseph, I kneel at Thy Crib to weep over
my sins and to supplicate Thy grace. Oh, how near
am I to the object of my desires ! Thou art my All, my
Lord, my God, and I shall receive Thee every day. Oh,
how this union with Thee will strengthen me in good,
will sanctify me ! O Jesus, Thou Searcher of hearts,
Thou seest my soul inflamed with desires; Thou
knowest how it longs to be holy, to be united with
Thee ! And, O Holy Ghost, hast Thou not infused in
my soul a great devotion to St. Teresa ?"

On the following day, June 24th, Feast of St John the
Baptist/y««j»g Neumann received; $eacon^s brderX, and
on the next day, ^June 25th, he was raised to the dignity of
the priesthood. His feelings during the ceremony we
find recorded in his journal, embodied in such acts of
thanksgiving as the following:

" At last, my dearest Jesus, I have attained to that for
which my soul has so long sighed! Ah, behold Thine
own work! O God, I am amazed at the grandeur of this
grace, at my own high dignity and its responsibility! O
Jesus, Thou hast conferred upon me the power of offer
ing Thee, my God, to Thyself — my God to my God!
Oh, far too high a privilege for me ! Angels of God,
ye saints of heaven, descend upon earth and adore my
Jesus, for the stammerings of my poor heart are only
imperfect echoes of what our Holy Church bids me say!

154 Life of Bishop Neumann.

O grace of the Holy Spirit, how I glory in exalting Thee
to-day! how I glory in being able to thank Thee, my
Creator, my Redeemer, for Thy three great gifts, Crea
tion, Redemption, and our Holy Church! O joy above
all earthly joys, I am a member, a servant of that same
Holy Church! I pray Thee, grant to me and to all
the living and the dead forgiveness and sanctification.
Now I can efficaciously pray for myself, my parents and
relations, my dear friend N. N., , and for all in Bohe
mia who have recommended themselves to my prayers."
Here follows a long list of individuals, confraternities,
etc. In his love and gratitude he forgot none with
whom he had in any way been connected; all mankind
shared in his prayers. On the next day, June 26th, he
offered up the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the first
time. It was a Sunday, and the day on which the Church
celebrates the Feast of the martyrs John and Paul. The
young priest, now Rev. Mr. Neumann, sang his first Mass
in the German church of St. Nicholas, Second Street,
New York.

In a letter to the Reverend Dean of his native place, this
memorable event in his opening career is thus described:

" The feast was celebrated with as great pomp as is
usual here. Father Raffeiner preached after the Gospel
to a large congregation drawn together by what is as yet
an unusual occurrence in these parts, the celebration of
a first Mass. I gave First Communion to thirty children
whom I had myself prepared. Oh, how gladly would I
not have hailed the presence of the various members of
my family! With my whole heart I prayed for them
that God's blessing might descend upon them. A great
and unexpected pleasure was mine after Mass. My little
First Communicants, accompanied by their parents, called
upon me to offer their thanks for the pains I had taken
to instruct them. Before taking leave, each presented
me a little token of gratitude."

Starts for the Scene of his Labors. 155

CHAPTER II.

^

Rev. Me. Neumann Starts for the Scene of his
Future Labors.

RIGHT REV. BISHOP DUBOIS, even before
Mr. Neumann's arrival, had destined him for the
missions around Niagara Falls. He was now anx
ious for him to set out at once for his destination; so
the third day after his first Mass found Father Neumann
on his way. Travelling in those early days of American
civilization was not what it is in our own time, as rail
roads were few. Father Neumann proceeded by steam
boat to Albany, where, on the Feast of Sts. Peter and
Paul, he offered the Holy Sacrifice in St. Mary's Church.
On July 4th he reached Rochester. Here, by order of his
Bishop, he was to tarry a few days in order to administer
the consolations of religion to the German Catholics, at
that time without a pastor of their own nationality.
The zealous pastor of St. Patrick's, Rev. Bernard
O'Reilly, gladly welcomed Father Neumann, and ex
tended to him the hospitality of his own honse. He had
long been in quest of a German priest to break the Word
of God to the German Catholics of Rochester, and now
that Divine Providence had sent one in answer to his
heart's desire, great were his joy and satisfaction. Father
O'Reilly was^mad«- Bishop of Hartford, November 10,
1850. Sixteen months later, March 28, 1852, he assisted
at Father Neumann's own consecration. Bishop O'Reilly
was one of the passengers of the ill-fated steamer Pacific
which was lost on her midwinter trip to America, Janu
ary, 1856. The Bishop was returning from Europe,
whither he had gone the previous year on affairs con-

156 Life of Bishop Neumann.

nected with his diocese. His loss was mourned from
Georgia to Maine. In him the American hierarchy was
deprived of one of its holiest and most laborious pastors.
No tidings of the missing vessel were ever received.

Conversing with two of his fellow-priests here in
Rochester, Father Neumann happened to revert to the
circumstance of his unsuccessful application for a writ
ten discharge from his diocese. His companions dis
cussed the matter, and decided that his ordination,
though valid, yet was illicit. Father Neumann's tender
conscience was not a little troubled at this information;
but he acted wisely under the circumstances. He says
in his journal:

"To-day I said Mass with a great scruple. But, ac
cording to Blessed Liguori, I may be tranquil, since no
doubts assailed me at the time of my ordination. Is a
written discharge really essential? Had I not an oral
one ? As soon as I meet either Father Pax or Father
Prost I will lay the case before him and abide by his
decision. Thank God, Blessed Alphonsus' ' Moral The
ology ' does not condemn me !"

Though his stay at Rochester was to be brief, yet he
manifested the liveliest interest in the spiritual welfare
of the German Catholics. A true disciple of the Divine
Friend of childen, Father Neumann's chief care was
bestowed upon the catechetical instruction of the little
ones.

"July 6. — I began yesterday to instruct the chil
dren. Things are in a sad state. The poor little crea
tures have had few advantages. They speak both
German and English badly, and have little idea of reli
gion. From lack of care and instruction, many w£eds
have sprung up among them; and yet a school cannot
even be thought of. O God, how melancholy is the
spectacle in this part of Thy kingdom! Ah, do not
punish our disobedience to Thy Church in this v\ay!
Take not away the good seed; suffer not the spread of

Starts for the Scene of his Labors. 1 5 7

heresy and infidelity! Oh, hearken to the voice of Thy
priest weeping over the sins of Thy people, suppli
cating pardon and grace ! My God, forsake us not!
Good Shepherd, permit not the wolf to tear Thy sheep
to pieces ! Enlighten me, strengthen me with Thy
powerful grace, that I may snatch from Satan his unfor
tunate prey, and lead them back to Thee."

On July yth Father Neumann administered the Sacra
ment of Baptism for the first time, which circumstance
the journal records in these words: "If the newly-
baptized child dies to-day, in the grace received from
this holy Sacrament, my journey to America will have
been richly rewarded; yes, richly rewarded, even if in
the future I accomplish nothing more."

The Sunday appointed for Father Neumann to cele
brate divine service for the Germans drew near. In the
humility of his heart, our holy young priest wrote: "I
feel anxious, for to-morrow I shall hear confessions for
the first time, and preach twice; as yet, I am not pre
pared. I must not lose courage, however. My Jesus, I
am a worthless instrument, but do Thou glorify Thy
power and grace, not only in me, but in those, also, who
will come to hear me. O my God, I cannot ask Thee to
put me to shame, to let me fail in my sermon to-morrow.
But I will resign myself to Thy will. Put me to shame,
if so it please Thee, but do not allow me to fall into
sin."

One year previously, in 1835, Rev. Father Prost, Visi
tor and Superior of the Redemptorists in America,
arrived at Rochester on his journey from New York to
Ohio. At the request of Rev. Bernard O'Reilly, he re
mained awhile to preach to the numerous German
Catholics and hear their confessions. These good peo
ple, duly appreciating the benefits of religion, implored
Father Prost to stay with them and assume the charge
of their parish. He could not then accede to their pro
posal, but he promised to return soon and make ar-

158 Life of Bishop Neumann.

rangements for their spiritual good. Shortly after this,
Bishop Dubois formally requested Father Prost to under
take the care of the German Catholics of Rochester.
Father Prost readily accepted the charge, and arrived
in Rochester at the close of the same Sunday which wit
nessed Father Neumann's labors in behalf of his own
future parishioners, July 10, 1836. And thus Father
Neumann met for the first time a Redemptorist Father,
a son of St. Alphonsus. On Father Prost's invitation,
he remained in Rochester a few days longer. Father
Neumann describes his new friend as a saintly, amiable
priest, whose acquaintance awoke in him the first desire
to enter the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
On July 1 2th Father Neumann left Rochester, and ar
rived in Buffalo at five that evening. Here he found
Father Alexander Pax, to whom the Bishop had directed
him. The following day, having celebrated Mass in the
frame church erected by the venerable Father Mertz, he
repaired with Father Pax to Williamsville, about ten

miles distant, where he was to take up his abode in the

irnfA

family of one Philip JaemT Wirtz. An humble apart
ment was here placed at his disposal. Such were the
temporary arrangements made by Father Pax for our
young and ardent missionary. That they were perfectly
in accordance with his own ideas we may gather from
his record of the day:

"Father Pax is just the man for me! O God, my
desires are now accomplished! I am in America; I am a
priest, a missionary; and I have a flock! My Jesus,
Thou must have strengthened me by Thy grace, since
Thou dost entrust to me so dangerous a post."

Father Neumann's Field as a Missionary. 159

CHAPTER III.
Father Neumann's Field as a Missionary.

AT the period which now engages our readers' atten
tion, about the year 1836, the state of the Church
and of society in the United States presented aspects
very different from the present. In western New York
the missionaries were Rev. John Nicholas Mertz and
Rev. Alexander Pax, the founders of the German con
gregations of that region. We cannot pass over these
venerable priests without a short sketch of their labors.
It will doubtless prove interesting to the reader of to
day to glance at the missionary life of those primitive

times. &~**jt*>r

Father Mertz was born,, April 26, 1764, at Bondorf, in
the diocese of Luxemburg. Obeying the inspirations of
the Holy Ghost, he devoted himself to the service of the nj,£i
Church, and was ordained at Treves,AMarch 23, 1791.
At the beginning of the present century he made
a journey to Rome with the intention of entering
the Society of Jesus. The venerable Pontiff, Pope
Pius VII., however, directed his attention to the vast
missionary fields of North America, and urged him
to labor in those regions. Docile to the wishes of His
Holiness, Father Mertz abandoned his first intention of
becoming a Jesuit, and from iScJ^ labored zealously
amid the numerous hardships attendant upon the new
apostolic missions of Pennsylvania and Maryland and,
lastly, of western New York. In his sixty-fifth year his
health and vigor were unimpaired. The last twenty of
these years had been spent, as we have said, in America;
and yet he always appeared clad in the clerical costume

160 Life of Bishop Neumann.

common to his own country in the last century. It con
sisted of a three-cornered cap, black cravat, long brown
coat, knee-breeches, and shoe-buckles. His extraordi
nary appearance often subjected him to the laughter and
ridicule of the godless youth of the place; but little did
the good priest heed the taunts that occasionally met
his ears. <3^*c^ x?&/*M%*

His dwelling was a small frame house on the west side
of Pearl Street, between Court and Eagle streets, Buf
falo. He celebrated divine service at first in a poor
frame building. But later on,^f Mr.,Le Coj&eulx, having
donated a plot of ground for the purpose, Father Mertz
erected on it a neat little church, also of wood, and dedi
cated it to "The Lamb of God." The tabernacle of the
altar was bronze, and on it rested a small image of the
Divine Lamb. The English, German, and French Catho
lics of Buffalo all assembled in this pretty little church
for the various acts of public worship practised in their
holy religion. Although extremely poor himself, the
good pastor employed every means in his power, and did
not hesitate to expend what he could command in the
adornment of the house of God.

This venerable priest occasionally visited Eden, Lan
caster, Sheldon, North Bush, Williamsville, etc., which *
little towns then consisted of only a few scattered houses.
His only conveyance to these distant places was an ox
cart, and he often made the journey on foot, carrying
with him whatever was needful for the service of the
altar. The frequent insults he received from the non-
Catholics among whom his duties called him demanded
on his side the practice of heroic patience. On one oc
casion he had ordered a table to be placed in the District
Hall at Eden; but one of the most prominent men of
the place bade his son go pitch the table out. The young
man obeyed, but — strange to relate! — at that very mo
ment he fell into a state of mental and physical disorder,
and shortly after died. The avenging hand of God was

Father Neumanns Field as a Missionary. 161

recognized by all in this event, and the father of
the unhappy youth was often heard to say that he
would take care not to meddle with a Catholic priest
again.

To children and the poor Father Mertz was a true
father. For the former he provided instruction both in
the church and the school-room, whilst to the latter
he furnished means to supply their needs. His con
duct toward Protestants and unbelievers he regu
lated by this principle: uLet us take care to make
Catholics what they ought to be; the rest will come of
itself."

In his own humble dwelling Father Mertz when not
engaged in prayer was never seen without a book in his
hand. The centre of all his devotion was Jesus in the
Blessed Sacrament.

This pious priest was not spared by certain proud
spirits who aimed at governing both church and
pastor. On one occasion, during an episcopal visi
tation, several of these men appeared before the Bishop
as delegates of the congregation. Their complaints
were chiefly of their pastor's want of confidence in
them : he did not entrust them with the financial
affairs of the church, etc., although the funds collected
belonged to them. The Bishop listened patiently to
the end, and then quietly asked how much each one
had contributed toward the erection and support of the
church. This unexpected question was soon answered,
though to the confusion of the disaffected parties.
Not one could name any particular sum as the amount
of his donation ; for, in truth, not one had contributed
a cent.

When Father Mertz had reached his seventieth year,
failing strength obliged him to procure an assistant.
Rev. Alexander Pax, in every respect a most estimable
priest, was the one destined by Divine Providence to
share his labors. Born in 1799, in the diocese of Metz,

1 62 ^-<A' oj~ 1> is hop Neumann.

he was elevated to the priesthood in 1823. For twelve
years he labored successfully as pastor at Sucht and
Vliesbriicken, but, being informed of the great want of
priests in America, he left home and friends for the New
World.

In that same year, 1835, Father Mertz made a journey
to Europe in behalf of the American missions, leaving
his extensive and laborious charge under the sole care
of Father Pax. With courageous activity the latter set
about erecting a large church, which his zealous efforts
brought to speedy completion. It is still in existence,
and is known as the church of St. Louis. His cares
and sacrifices were, however, repaid with the greatest
ingratitude by many for whom he had so untiringly
labored, for whom he had undergone so many hard
ships.

In this noble priest Father Neumann found his near
est neighbor, his most devoted friend. They ex
changed visits, took counsel of each other in important
matters, and found mutual support under numerous
trials.

Two years before Father Neumann's arrival the erec
tion of a new church had been urged by a Catholic
named Furniss. With Father Mertz's approval, a
collection was begun in the neighborhood for that
purpose. The proceeds amounted to four hundred
dollars, besides seventy loads of building materials.
The building was immediately begun on a site which
had been donated by a Protestant named Schmidt.
The conditions attached to the donation were that
the church should be of stone, one hundred and fif
teen feet long, thirty feet broad, and twenty-five feet
high. At the period of Father Neumann's arrival
the walls of the church were already up. Though
the Catholics themselves took the matter in hand,
yet a considerable debt had accumulated, which debt
was swelled by the unjust claims to compensation

f/,

Father Neumanns Field as a Missionary. 163

put forward by many who had promised assistance
gratis. Father Neumann's method of proceeding in this
embarrassing conjuncture succeeded in calming the
storm so far that several withdrew their claims, whilst
others donated to the church money already advanced.

The building could boast neither roof nor floor when
Father Neumann began to hold service within its naked
walls. A temporary altar and a few rough benches
alone betrayed the use already made of it.

The non-Catholics of the district were at that time
greatly disaffected toward the Catholic Church. The
services held by Father Neumann and his little con
gregation were frequently disturbed by the noise and
clamor of a lawless crowd without; stones were thrown
over the walls, and one even struck the altar during the
celebration of the Holy Sacrifice. Rude boys used to
call to one another: " Come on! Let's go to the Catholic
church and have some fun!"

After the first public service at Williamsville, Father
Neumann noted in his journal: " My first sermon to my
parishioners was well received. I ascribe its success to
the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom I
have promised to introduce among the children the
Confraternity of the Most Blessed Sacrament."

Besides his parochial duties at Williamsville, Father
Neumann attended the following stations: North Bush,
five miles distant; Lancaster and Transit, six; Batavia,
forty; Sheldon, twenty; Niagara, fifty; and several
other places in that locality.

On July i8th the new pastor went for the first time
to Lancaster, to administer the last sacraments to a
dying person. He heard several confessions that eve
ning, and next morning celebrated Mass in the village
church. Of this visit he thus writes: "The church at
Lancaster is more like a barn than a church. Whilst
preaching, after Mass, on the humility of Jesus who
deigns to dwell in that poor hut as He once did in the

164 Life of Bishop Neumann.

stable of Bethlehem, my tears would not be restrained,
and I was forced to discontinue my sermon."

On July 2oth he rode to North Bush. . Here the
Catholics had constructed a log chapel in which they
assembled on Sundays and holy-days to recite the
Rosary.

Father Neumann clearly recognized the responsibility
of his post, but, convinced of his own weakness, he
prays for help: UO my Jesus, I, a poor, ignorant young
man, have become a shepherd in Thy sheepfold ! Lord,
regard not my sins. Give me an ever-increasing love
for Thy redeemed ones, that I may labor at their salva
tion in wisdom, patience, and holiness. Grant that not
one of those whom Thou hast confided to me be lost
through my fault. O my Jesus, help me to sanctify my
children! O holy Mother of my Lord and my God,
pray for me and my flock! Holy guardian angels of
my dear children, teach me how to act toward them in
order to instil into their hearts principles of pure faith
and the love of God! Lord, teach me how to live, and,
if needs be, die for my people, that they may all be
saved, that they may all love and praise Thee in
eternity, that they may love Thy dear Mother! Ah,
through that infinite love Thou didst exhibit toward us
in Thy Incarnation, have mercy on those poor souls
whom Thou hast redeemed, have mercy on my poor
children! Mother Mary, Thou who art ever victorious
over heresies, pray for all who are walking in the paths
of accursed error! Open their eyes, touch their hearts,
that they may begin to love Jesus and His Holy Church
and bring forth fruits for eternal life! O my poor
Jesus, why do not all men love Thee ? O Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us who do not desire to taste how sweet
is the Lord! Sanctify us, poor, wretched creatures, who
constantly offend our Creator and Lord! O sweet
sufferings of my little Infant Saviour, sweet pains of
love! Oh, that these tears of mine could blot out my

Father Neumanns Field as a Missionary. 165

own sins and the sins of my people! My Jesus, what
shall I, a poor creature, do to lead many souls, yea, all
souls to Thee ? Oh, pity my ignorance ! Teach me,
sanctify me, a wretched sinner. Holy Mother Mary, St.
Joseph, all ye holy virgins, caress the dear Infant Jesus
for me; beg Him not to be displeased with my poor chil
dren ! Holy guardian angels, holy patrons, cease not to
pray for me and for them ! Obtain for us light; obtain
for us the love of God; obtain for us perseverance !"

1 66 Life of BisJiop Neumann.

CHAPTER IV.

Father Neumann's Zeal in the Discharge of his
Ministry.

NO duty awakened livelier interest in Father Neu
mann than the instruction of youth. Before his
arrival in Williamsville, a teacher had come from Buffalo
to take charge of the Catholic children; but his conduct
was such as to render his dismissal necessary. Father
Neumann then assumed the duties of teacher himself, a
post which he filled during seven months. "For," as he
says in his journal, " the debt contracted in the building
of the church and school, added to the actual poverty of
the congregation, made the maintenance of a teacher at
that time impossible."

As soon as divine service was concluded at the various
stations under his charge, he administered the Sacra
ments, attended to the other duties devolving on a
parish priest, and ended by assembling the children for
instruction. The little ones of his flock he looked upon
as the favorites of his Lord and Master, and his first
thought after that of the church was to provide for them
a school as commodious and well-disciplined as possi
ble. Such improvements soon sprung up at most of his
stations; but wherever this was still an impossibility,
Father Neumann, as at Williamsville, instructed the
children himself in the most necessary branches, and
this for several weeks and even months of the year. He
knew well how to suit his words and demeanor to the
age and capacity of his scholars, among whom he ever
appeared with a smiling and affectionate countenance.
As soon as he arrived at one of his stations, the children

Zeal in the Discharge of his Ministry. 167

would flock around him in eager, loving salutation, the
younger ones, bolder than their more advanced com
panions, pressing on all sides, even slyly examining his
coat-pockets for the little gifts he was accustomed to
bring them. To encourage their good behavior and
diligence, he used to bestow upon them such rewards as
medals, rosaries, pictures, and even candies.

As may be imagined, with such a teacher and such
rewards, Father Neumann's school was well attended.
The scholars made rapid progress in Christian Doctrine,
as well as in reading, writing, arithmetic, etc. To this
day, the old residents of those places recall with plea
surable emotions the kind, fatherly instructor of their
children, and often are they heard to exclaim, " He
was a real saint !" Pictures and medals received from
him in those early days are still treasured up as most
precious mementos. One of the good Catholic mothers
used to say familiarly to her children, "Our pastor de
serves to be framed in gold."

Father Neumann loved to hear his young pupils sing
in church the hymns he himself had taught them; and
if, at times, one or other would offer as an excuse for not
joining in with the rest hoarseness contracted in com
ing so far to church, he would be met with the cheery
reply, "Oh, that is nothing! I can easily cure that" —
and in fact a spoonful of sugar, the usual remedy on
such occasions, joined to the pastor's kind, genial tones,
soon had the effect of dissipating all such ills.

Sunday afternoons were devoted to the young people's
catechetical instruction. For illustrations of his sub
jects, Father Neumann was in the habit of drawing upon
the examples contained in Holy Writ, thus combining
sacred history with doctrine, to the greater advantage
of his hearers. As an incentive to attention and im
provement, he rewarded with a picture, or some other
trifling object of devotion, all who could repeat the prin
cipal points of the last instruction.

1 68 Life of BisJiop Neumann.

Ever anxious to counteract the fearfully pernicious
effects of immoral books, Father Neumann exerted him
self untiringly to diffuse among his parishioners good
and useful reading matter. Donations in the shape of
manuals and books of piety were often sent him from
his friends in Bohemia, and most thankfully were such
valuable gifts received for his poor missions. A dona
tion of this kind was thus acknowledged: "All contri
bute largely to the diffusion of our holy religion who,
like good children of our Holy Mother the Church, not
only pray for her welfare, but prove their love and at
tachment to her by pious gifts. The sympathy and sup
port which the American missions find in my native land
prove that Bohemia is not willing to bury the inheritance
bequeathed her by Cyrillus and Methodius; but, thank
ful to God and charitable to all the redeemed of Christ,
she seeks to return blessing for blessing. If you have
collected any money, be so good as to send it to Augs
burg or Strasburg for the purchase of the following
books in German: the works of St. Teresa, of Catherine
Emmerich, of Goffine, etc.; also those of Blessed Al-
phonsus and the publications of the Mechitarists, etc.
They cannot be obtained here, and they are valuable
aids in the acquisition of piety."

In a letter to a friend, Father Neumann describes the
way in which divine service was performed in the early
days of his mission. "I am very much encouraged," he
says, " when I reflect that within a few short years
churches and schools, poor though they be, have been
erected in many parts of our district among the woods
and swamps. Even an humble temporary building for
divine worship or instruction is a consoling spectacle.
The altar is usually nothing more than a table furnished
with a pair of wooden candlesticks, a crucifix, a missal,
two tumblers, and a plate. From the woods around,
frequently from a distance of five to ten miles, flock
groups of worshippers, natives of Alsace, Lorraine,

Zeal in the Discharge of his Ministry. 169

Baden, France, Ireland, etc., some on horseback, some
in wagons, all in the costume of their own nation. The
more courageous among them assemble in the nearest
churches on the Sundays on which they have no priest,
and try to sing a hymn together. But this is difficult
for some, on account of the variety of language and
melody. Truly, my dear friend, did I not know that
Jesus Christ was born in a stable and died on a cross, I
should doubt the lawfulness of celebrating the Holy
Mysteries in such poverty. May God compensate us by
giving us hearts rich in virtue and grace!"

Father Neumann, besides the pious books previously
referred to, received also, on several different occasions,
donations of vestments and other religious articles for
his churches. Such gifts brought joy to the heart of our
fervent young missionary.

" The many precious things I have received," he says
in one of his letters, "add splendor to our ceremonies,
and stir up even our most indifferent members to con
tribute a mite toward the beautifying of our altars."

Before the great feasts of the Church, he often labored
with his own hands at the decoration of the altar and
sacred edifice. He desired that everything appertaining
to divine service should be arranged with exquisite neat
ness and all the magnificence possible, and this with the
twofold intention of honoring God and saving souls, as
we may gather from his own words:

" In respect to our holy religion affairs are progress
ing. Catholicity is spreading, and the zeal of the faith
ful is considerably on the increase. Many of my good
people have acknowledged that they consider their soul's
salvation furthered by their immigration to America;
for in Europe, where churches and schools abound,
where the facilities for practising our holy religion are so
numerous, they did not feel half the earnestness and zeal
that now animate them. In fact, under the inspiration
of God, these good people may be seen at work for days

1 70 Life of Bishop Neumann.

and even weeks at a time in the construction and adorn
ment of their churches. God strikingly manifests His
goodness in them. The thought of a church which they
may call their own is to them a most consoling one.
Thank God, they have not labored in vain, nor are they
likely to absent themselves from divine worship in the
future! When we consider, besides, that most of them,
especially those who live remote from the cities, are mis
erably poor, we must regard their readiness to help in
the good work as an evident sign of divine co-operation.
Laboring in the sweat of their brow, amid the turmoil
of the world, their heart still hungers for something
higher and holier, and in their poverty they turn to the
Lord, who alone can satisfy their cravings for happiness.
Labor and privation then grow sweet, and they are filled
with childlike faith and love for God. Like Simon of
Cyrene, they are, in some sort, forced to carry the
cross, and in it they discover graces hitherto unknown."

After a stay of seven months at Williamsville, Father
Neumann removed to North Bush. Here he remained
for the next eighteen months in the family of the devout
Catholic above mentioned, Mr. John Schmidt; meantime,
adjoining the log chapel, a small frame house was com
menced for his accommodation. Whilst the building
was in progress, the reverend pastor walked daily to
his church, the distance of a mile and a half through a
marshy forest. But he consoled himself for this hardship
and the many others that it entailed by the tender
and loving aspirations he poured forth to his God in the
solitude of the woods.

The summer of 1837 found Father Neumann still a
member of the Schmidt family. During this period, the
Bishop, making the rounds of his pastoral visitation, in
cluded the parishes confided to the young priest's care.
He was received with all the honor possible on his arrival
from Buffalo, accompanied by Father Prost, C.SS.R.,
Superior of the Redemptorists. The male portion of the

Zeal in the Discharge of his Ministry. 1 7 1

congregation, old and young, in holiday attire, awaited
for hours, in anxious expectation, their distinguished visi
tor's arrival; and when the carriage drove up they
crowded around it, eager to offer their cordial welcomes
and expressions of joy.

After the Sacrament of Confirmation had been admin
istered, the pastor conducted the Bishop and his com
panion to Williamsville and his other stations. The
Bishop was astonished on beholding everywhere such
fruits of the young priest's zeal, nor was he slow in giv
ing expression to his unlimited satisfaction. Father
Neumann proposed some difficulties that had arisen in
the discharge of his pastoral duties, and received the
Bishop's decision on the same. That evening he wrote
in his journal:

"Lord, enlighten my doubts respecting my parishion
ers of North Bush and Lancaster. I will be obedient to
the voice of my Bishop, regarding it as Thine own."

From a letter to his parents, dated February 5, 1837,
in which he explains to them his mode of life, we glean
a few passages which afford a glimpse of his noble
heart, his effective love of God, and his deep filial love.
It runs:

" Though determined to await an answer to my last
before acquainting you with my present situation, yet
the thought of your anxiety haunts me, urging me to
write again. No doubt you well remember my promise
to give you a true account of myself. This I can do the
more readily as I have no reason to fear the intelligence
conveyed by my letter will cause you to die either of joy
or of grief.

" Like an old German emperor followed everywhere
by his court do I carry with me all needful church arti
cles when visiting my three parishes of Williamsville,
North Bush, and Lancaster. From an American citizen
here I have received -two acres of land for a church.
The large number of French and Irish Catholics at Ni-

172 Life of Bishop Neumann.

agara Falls renders a church, or at least a chapel, neces
sary. Do you remember our examining together a fine
steel engraving of the Falls ? You little imagined then
that I would one day establish a parish in the neighbor
hood. I am so near to them that I can hear the roar of
the cataract in my room. It sounds like the noise of a
distant hail-storm. I have not yet visited the Falls."

One of Father Neumann's intimate friends assures us
that it was the love of mortification alone that could lead
him to deny himself a sight of that widely-famed spec
tacle. To such a lover of nature it must have been no
trifling sacrifice.

To resume: " I am living here at North Bush with a
native of Lorraine who, in consideration of payment in
the next life, furnishes me with board and lodging. My
furniture consists of four chairs lately purchased with
some money I had laid by, two trunks, and a few books.
For your consolation, I will tell you that the timber for
my future residence has already been cut, and my peo
ple are rejoicing in the prospect of supplying me with
corn, potatoes, etc. I have never yet suffered from hun
ger; and as for clothes — when one garment grows too
shabby for wear, some one or other of my good people
provides me with another. So, you see, my dear par
ents, things fare well with me. If it were otherwise, this
wandering life that I lead would soon become impracti
cable; but, as it is, every house is my home."

After entering into a detailed description of the coun
try, its people, its animals and plants, he continues:

" I am becoming more and more engrossed in my du
ties. It is likely I shall never have a chance to go sable-
hunting as Commissioner Herbst predicted. As much
as I would like to spend a few days with you and
give you an oral account of my short experience in
America, I shall have to defer the realization of that
desire for several years. The want of priests is so great
that it is impossible for the few who are here to take

Zeal in the Discharge of his Ministry. 1 73

long journeys. Ah, how often have I not wished for the
strength to multiply my exertions, in order to meet the
innumerable spiritual wants !

"Be persuaded, my dear parents, that I often think of
you, of my brother and sisters, and of all my friends ;
all are daily remembered at the Holy Sacrifice. What
ever good Almighty God may will to effect here through
my instrumentality will redound to your benefit, as well
as to my own; for that I am now a priest is owing to
you, under God. What joy would be yours could you
see the affection entertained for me by my good parish
ioners ! And again would you rejoice at the sight of
our holy religion planted and cultivated, with the help
of divine grace, in the midst of these dark forests. Oh,
that my former fellow-students and their parents could
behold the need of missionaries here ! Could they but
see the tears of those who, like the children of Israel in
the Babylonian captivity, are cut off from the consola
tions of religion; the children eager for instruction, yet
growing up in ignorance and infidelity, the dying pass
ing to another life unassisted by priest or sacrament —
could they see these and many other things equally sad,
they would surely renounce temporal satisfaction and
comfort to afford assistance to their Catholic brethren
in North America ! Great would be their reward on
the last day."

Father Neumann's letters to his parents and family
always happily arrived at their destination ; but the
answers to them, though forwarded regularly, seem not
to have reached him. This may have been owing to
some misdirection or some fault of the mail. Whatever
may have been the cause, news from home, though indi
rectly received, was always a great satisfaction to the
young missionary in his far-off field of labor. When, in
this way, he heard of his sister Joanna's entrance into
the religious state, he expressed his satisfaction in a
letter to his parents, as follows:

1 74 Life of Bishop Neumann.

" Joanna's resolution to enter among the Sisters of
Chanty of St. Charles Borromeo is a subject of heart
felt joy to me. It has infused new courage into my own
soul. May our merciful Lord enkindle more and more
in my heart the fire of Christian charity toward my
neighbor ! God be praised for having inspired my
sister with the good thought of consecrating herself
entirely to His service, and for having strengthened her
to overcome the numerous difficulties opposed to the
accomplishment of such a resolution ! I salute her with
all my heart, and beg her prayers in behalf of the poor
scattered faithful of America."

The actual hardships of his mission Father Neumann
never hinted at in his letters to his family. He wished
to spare them unnecessary anxiety on his account.
Trials and sufferings of various kinds were not, how
ever, wanting to him. The district in which several of
his missions lay was marshy and unhealthy, thereby
engendering much sickness. Whooping-cough was
prevalent' among the children, while gastric fever at
tacked the adults. This painful and tedious illness
called for the daily services of the zealous physician
of souls, and often was he seen in the depth of winter
crossing the marshes, sometimes on foot, sometimes on
horseback, carrying the Blessed Sacrament in hands stiff
from the cold. During these long journeys lie used to
pray with head uncovered, and in summer he generally
arrived home worn out from fatigue, his garments
saturated with perspiration and bespattered with mud.
When his kind-hearted host wished to brush and clean
them, deeming it an honor to do so, the humble priest
would not accept such a service. But if Mr. Schmidt,
as sometimes happened, succeeded in doing so secretly,
Father Neumann, not content with expressing his
thanks in words, would offer his assistance for work in
the field.

It not unfrequently happened that directly after Mass

Zeal in the Discharge of his Ministry, i 75

he was obliged to answer one or more sick - calls,
from which he returned in the evening fasting as he
went; for he made it a rule never to ask for anything.
His long journeys through the gloomy forests were
not only very fatiguing, but often attended with dan
ger from venomous reptiles and ravenous beasts. And
not less than these were the attacks of wicked men
to be dreaded, for the solitary and unprotected way
farer might have been set upon with impunity. More
than once Father Neumann escaped in such encoun
ters owing to the manifest interposition of Divine Provi
dence.

On one occasion his feet were so blistered and sore
from walking that, unable to go further, he sunk down
at the foot of a tree. Presently he saw several dark
figures approaching. They gathered around him in
threatening attitudes, and regarded him with a fierce
air. The poor helpless traveller recognized in them
a band of roving Indians, and inwardly recommended
himself to God. But as soon as these wild sons of
the forest discovered that he was a " black gown,"
they spread a buffalo-skin on the ground, placed him
on it, and in this novel conveyance transported him
to his destination. On another occasion, whilst return
ing from baptizing a child, at a sharp turn in the
road the wagon made a sudden lurch, and Father Neu
mann was pitched out backward. In his evening record
of that day he says: " O my Jesus, it was a miracle
of Thy mercy that I was not instantly killed!" He
did not, however, escape unhurt. His left arm was in
jured so seriously that it was feared it would have to
be amputated. He suffered intense pain from the ac
cident, and for two weeks had to forego the consolation
of saying Mass.

One night as he was returning from a sick-call, a
furious thunder-storm burst upon him and the rain

176 Life of Bishop Neumann.

fell in torrents. In the pitchy darkness Father Neu
mann lost his way in the swamps. He wandered up
and down, now right, now left, uncertain what direc
tion to take. In his perplexity he began to implore
Almighty God to shed a ray of light upon his path
way, when suddenly his prayer was answered. Not
far ahead he perceived through the waving branches a
faint gleam as if from a solitary lamp. He followed
the light and soon came upon a wretched hovel. His
rap at the door was answered by the voice of a child
crying, "We let no one in at night." Again he rapped,
and again received the same response to his call for
admission. It was only after repeated efforts and
entreaties that the door was opened and he was ushered
into a scene of misery. Off in one corner, with only a
little moss between him and the bare ground, lay a man
apparently in the agonies of death. The poor fellow,
as Father Neumann afterward learned, had but recently
lost both wife and children, the little girl who opened
the door being the only one left to him. She, poor
child, would soon have been an orphan, were it not for
the priest's timely arrival. The man was an Irish
Catholic, and intense were his joy and gratitude on
finding himself so unexpectedly visited by one who
could minister to him the helps of religion in his trying
hour. Father Neumann, seeing his utter prostration,
instantly brought forth the small bottle of wine he car
ried with him for the service of the altar, and poured
some down his throat. Its effects were instantaneous.
The man revived and was soon able to make his con
fession. When morning dawned and Father Neumann
left the hut, the poor fellow, thanks to the kind minis
trations of his guest, was in a fair way of recovery.
He praised God whose providential care had furnished
him with aid so timely, and ever after preserved the
most grateful remembrance of his benefactor, Father
Neumann.

Zeal in the Discharge of his Ministry. 177

That the sick whose poverty forbade the procuring
of physicians and medicines might not be destitute
of assistance, Father Neumann began the study of
the healing art. His extensive knowledge of botany
served him here, and his constant journeying through
country and forest afforded an opportunity for pro
curing herbs suited to his purpose. We have met in
dividuals who still remember their pastor's solicitude in
searching for flowers and plants to be used in com
pounding medicines. In one of his letters to Europe
he says:

" As I am obliged to roam the forests, I have made
use of the opportunity thus afforded to extend my
knowledge of botany. I gather the flowers on my way,
many of them unknown in your country. Had I an
opportunity, I would send to Bohemia specimens of the
rare and curious plants I everywhere meet." Later
Father Neumann found means to forward a very rare
and valuable collection to Munich, where it was de
servedly appreciated.

The exemplary conduct of their young pastor was a
subject of great edification to the souls under his care.
His life was to them a living and perpetual exhortation
to good. To fervent prayer he joined assiduous study,
and it was a subject of astonishment to many to find
him, though otherwise so poor, the possessor of quite a
choice little library. This circumstance may be re
garded as a proof that in the solitude of the forest
Father Neumann continued what he had ever been, a
friend of study.

And now he began to comprehend the ever-growing-
magnitude of the work devolving on him, as well as his
own inability to compass it unaided and alone. He
multiplied his petitions for a German co-laborer to
whom he might confide two of the largest and most im
portant of his parishes, retaining for himself the smallest
and most difficult. After some delay, the Bishop was

178 Life of Bishop Neumann.

able to grant his request and appoint Rev. F. L to

the charge of Williamsville and Lancaster. But Father
Neumann's zeal was not to be seconded by Father

L . This unfortunate priest proved himself a hireling

and intruder in the sheepfold of Christ. Only a few
days had elapsed after his appointment, when letters
were despatched to the Bishop characterizing his con
duct and teaching as very suspicious, to say the least.
Father Neumann made repeated efforts to arouse the
poor man to a sense of his duty to God, to his neigh
bor, and to himself, but all in vain. He was at last
suspended by the Bishop, and Father Pax, of Buffalo,
entrusted with the execution of the measure. Father
Pax, accordingly, betook himself to Lancaster, but only
to find the incumbent absent. He published the Bishop's
writ of suspension against the unworthy pastor, and ex
plained to the people the grievousness of receiving the
Sacraments from the hands of a suspended priest.
Father Pax then returned to Buffalo, carrying with him
the consecrated altar-stone which he himself had lent to

Father L on his appointment to Lancaster. Father

L was at Williamsville during the transaction of

these events, and, when the news reached him, he was
so enraged that he set about inciting the people
of that place to rebel against their lawful superiors.
The unfortunate ecclesiastic happened to possess two
qualifications which won for him the favor of his
parishioners and secured to him unbounded influence
over them: he was an eloquent preacher and a fine
singer. Taking advantage of his popularity, he urged
the building of a pastoral residence, etc. The circum
stance of the altar-stone was no secret in the Catholic
community of Lancaster; but Father L — - carried his
audacity and impiety so far as to have a fac-simile of
the first made, and went on saying Mass as before. To
put an end to these scandalous proceedings, Fathers Pax,
Mertz, and Neumann went together to Williamsville,

Zeal in the Discharge of his Ministry, i 79

assembled the congregation, and pointed out to them in
presence of the wretched priest the abomination in the
holy place. They explained it as the bounden duty of
air who called themselves Catholics to avoid one who
had been so unhappy as to have incurred the punish
ment of ecclesiastical suspension. The unfortunate ob
ject of their strictures was, at last, covered with con
fusion. He could utter no word in extenuation of his
conduct, though, alas ! he manifested no sign of con
trition for the past. His flock withdrew from him, and
he was compelled to leave the diocese. Father Neu
mann was thus obliged to resume his first charge.

As soon as the humble frame house at North Bush
was ready to receive him, Father Neumann took posses
sion of it. With the exception of a little boy of ten, one
of the neighbors' sons whom he engaged to stay in the
house during his own absence, Father Neumann was its
sole occupant.

Scarcely once a week was smoke seen to rise from the
chimney. His parishioners, who felt great sympathy
for their gentle, patient pastor, often wondered how or
on what he lived. Sometimes they ventured even to put
the question, when, with a cheerful smile, he would an
swer, " Bread and butter and cheese are very nourishing."
Occasionally he was urged to remind the people that
they ought to provide him with good food properly
prepared. " They know very well," he would reply,
"what I need. If they wish to supply my wants, I am
willing to receive."

The little ten-year-old companion received from his
pastor, we may imagine, many a useful lesson. Among
other things, Father Neumann once told the little fellow
that he who would sleep soundly must take a light sup
per. This piece of information seems greatly to have
impressed his young hearer. Not many days after, both
found themselves seated at quite an exceptional meal for
them, thanks to the bounty of some good parishioner.

180 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Hunger lent a zest of its own, and the savory dishes
were receiving full justice, when suddenly the child re
called the lesson lately received. He paused, and with
the simplicity which so often amused the good priest he
said, "Your reverence, if you stop eating now, you'll
sleep all the better for it."

In his letters home Father Neumann frequently ex
pressed the desire of having his brother Wenceslaus with
him. The latter was not at all averse to accepting the
invitation, provided his parents would give their consent.
After repeated urging to this effect, Mr. and Mrs. Neu
mann generously agreed to part with their only remain
ing son; and on the 25th of September, 1839, the two
brothers met once again, after a separation of more than
three years. Father Neumann at once informed his par
ents of his brother's arrival in America. He says:

" I rejoice at being able to apprise you of the arrival
of our dear Wenceslaus. He took me by surprise two
days before the feast of his holy patron. Not having
heard directly from you since my departure from Prach-
atitz, I was becoming very anxious. But the good news
and loving messages he brings me dispelled all un
easiness and carried me back home. I thank God
for giving you the strength to make so many and so
great sacrifices, and that, renouncing temporal comforts
and advantages, you serve Him in domestic seclusion."

Wenceslaus proved a great help to his reverend brother,
who for over three years had had to manage as best he
could for himself. Poverty, joined to his disinclination
to employ strangers, had forced him to look after his own
domestic concerns. Now, however, things took a turn
for the better; the surroundings began to look more
homelike. An air of comfort, never before seen there,
began to pervade the lowly dwelling of the missionary;
and, though plain as before, it now lost that general ap
pearance of loneliness and desolation. Returning from
a fatiguing journey, exhausted by heat or benumbed by

Zeal in the Discharge of his Ministry. 181

cold, Father Neumann now found a devoted friend to
welcome him and surround him with every care a brother's
love could suggest. Wenceslaus soon became deeply in
terested in the schools, as Father Neumann informs us
in a letter to a friend:

"My brother has excellent health here. During my
absence he teaches in the school at North Bush, besides
which he is general superintendent of our household
affairs. I assure you he takes good care of me. As the
parish of St. John Nepomucene at North Bush increases
rapidly in numbers, though not in this world's goods,
my brother intends giving instruction to the children of
three or four localities. How glad I am to have him
with me ! — and still more delighted at finding him so
willing to take upon himself the care of these abandoned
children solely for the love of God and our Holy Mother
the Church. He is now, by prayer and study, preparing
for his new vocation. May God strengthen and enlighten
him !"

1 82 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER V.
Trials and Sufferings in the Ministry.

WHEN our Lord Jesus Christ sent His disciples to
teach the Gospel to all nations, like a good and
thoughtful father He gave them some advice by which
to regulate their conduct. This He did as much for
their own benefit as for the speedy conversion of their
fellow-men. Among other warnings is found the follow
ing: " Be ye therefore prudent as serpents and simple
as doves."*

If in their time the Apostles and disciples of our Lord
needed these rare qualities combined with solid sanctity,
may we not conclude that in no less degree were they
requisite for a missionary coming from Europe to the
United States in Father Neumann's day ?

The reason is obvious. Before his time the missionary
in America might be said to have no home, or rather his
home was everywhere — wherever a Catholic family dwelt,
there might he seek and find a welcome. To perform
his priestly functions he was obliged to travel inces
santly over the vast district under his care. In the
houses of his scattered flock he celebrated Mass, preached,
and administered the Sacraments. A chasuble, a chalice,
and a portable altar were all that he needed for such
duties almost the whole year round. His position was
precarious, his life one of fatigue and sacrifice. But he
had the consolation of knowing that every member of
his flock was as well provided with spiritual food as the
circumstances of the time would permit.

* Matt. x. 16.

Trials and Sufferings in the Ministry. 183

But this state of things could not continue forever.
Catholics increased in numbers; the young could not be
allowed to grow up in religious ignorance or indiffer
ence; churches, schools, and pastoral residences had to
be erected; some fixed plan of action had to regulate
the missionary's movements, etc. Such undertakings,
though ever so poor and simple in the beginning, in
volved considerable expense. Hence arose the first
difficulty. Most of the people of Father Neumann's
district were very poor; consequently, although recog
nizing the necessity, they could contribute but little to
these noble purposes. Again, the majority of his scat
tered sheep came from a country where they had found
church and school ready for use and open to all; where
priests and teachers received in common with state offi
cials their salary from the government; and where,
apart from the penny collection of Sunday, no demands
were made on their purse.

Now they had to learn in their newly-adopted home
that all this could not be done without their own co
operation. To many it was evident and reasonable.
They saw their pastor poorer even than themselves;
they understood thai he could do nothing for them
without their scanty contributions. To others, again, it
was hard to understand why things should not be in
America just as they had left them in their homes of
earlier years. In the next place, these infant congrega
tions consisted of members speaking, for the most part,
the same language, though in many different dialects.
They came from different provinces and dioceses of
Germany. All brought with them some traditional cus
toms and ceremonies which long usage had made very
dear to them. They may, indeed, have known that such
customs were not essential to their religion, but who is
not aware of how tenacious some faithful Catholics are
of these little observances, how unwilling to give them
up ?

184 Life of Bishop Neumann.

And so it became the pastor's duty to reduce this
chaos to order, to instruct and guide his poor sheep in
prudence and simplicity, in patience and firmness, and to
unite them in the little church which after a long strug
gle and with many sacrifices had been built and blessed
for their use.

In the following letter to Rev. Father Dichtl the
young pastor gives a detailed account of his missionary
field:

" Only a poor priest, or one who is content to endure
the hardships of poverty, can labor here with fruit.
His duties call him far and near, and he is constantly
on the go; he leads what might be termed a wandering
life. The new settlers, on arriving in the district, choose
a spot in the woods upon which, in a few days, there
rises a log-cabin. Then they clear a certain space all
round by felling or burning down the trees, where they
plant potatoes and sow oats. In a few years these pro
ducts give place to wheat. Our Germans all live this
way in the woods, about two to twelve miles apart.
The only pleasure allowable to the parish priest is that
found in the care of souls. If he seeks comforts, honors,
riches, he will seek in vain; he will lose both patience
and courage; his usefulness will come to an end.

" Here all are expected to contribute toward the main
tenance of pastors and teachers; and, no matter how
trifling the contribution, there are some who think
themselves entitled to a voice in parochial affairs.
Others wish to see the non-essential customs of their
own country, their own diocese, — yes, even of their own
parish, — introduced and followed here in their new
home. The consequences likely to flow from such a
state of things may be readily imagined. Party-spirit
becomes the order of the day, a spirit to be counteracted
only by patience and prudence on the part of the pastor.
The priest must love poverty also, since his parishioners
are, with few exceptions, as needy as himself.

Trials and Sufferings in the Ministry. 185

" The care of souls is, however, full of consolation,
since the less the gratitude of those for whom he la
bors, the greater the reward the priest expects from
God."

Calumny was one of the most inveterate of the evils
prevalent at the epoch of which we write. It arose from
the desire of certain individuals to insinuate themselves
into the pastor's good graces and thus obtain a voice in
questions relating to parochial affairs. Father Neu
mann was not long in detecting the unchristian spirit, to
counteract which he invented a novel though effective
mode of action. When hefound himself waited upon by
such persons, he usually interrupted their invidious re
marks with the words, " Let us say the Rosary together
and then talk the matter over," and, suiting the action to
the word, down he would kneel and give out. the prayers.
Few could stand such a test, nor did they care for a
repetition of the scene.

Although our young priest had from his earliest child
hood given proof of the angelic soul within; though he
so strictly guarded his senses against even the approach
of evil; though naturally silent and through principle
averse to all unnecessary conversation, particularly
with the opposite sex, yet did the foul fiend dare to
attack his reputation through the invidious tongue of
the slanderer.

During the first year of his ministry at Williamsville
Father Neumann lodged with a family by the name of
Wirtz. Unavoidable as was this arrangement, it aroused
the jealousy of one who thought " His Reverence" might
just as well become a member of his own family and let
him enjoy the benefit accruing from the same, viz., the
weekly board. Not being able to attain his ends, envy
and avarice incited the miserable man to spread a base
calumny against the innocent young priest. "Wirtz,"
he said, "employs a young maid-servant. It is not
proper that a priest should lodge in the same house with

1 86 Life of Bishop Ncrimann.

her." And he threw out sundry hints that matters were
not just what they ought to be, etc. The vile suspicion
was soon noised around and, through the market-dealers,
found its way to Buffalo. Certain individuals affected to
credit the report, and resolved to hold a meeting to sift
the affair. The honorable assembly was convened in a
tavern, and it was unanimously agreed that either the
priest or the servant should procure other lodgings.
These men carried their audacity so far as to cite Father
Neumann to appear in their presence. He obeyed the
summons, and was not a little astonished to find himself
the subject of such gossip. When informed of the reso
lution adopted by the august assembly, his only reply
was a withering smile which quite disconcerted his would-
be judges. It was not long before his malicious calum
niator found himself the object of universal contempt.
Father Neumann alone, the innocent victim of his in
vidious accusations, pitied the poor wretch and tried to
shield his reputation. When fifteen years after, clothed
with the episcopal dignity, he visited this same locality,
he made special inquiries for him and his family.

At Lancaster, also, the gentle and retiring priest found
enemies, and once he was even threatened with assassi
nation. A drover addicted to liquor followed him one
day gun in hand, and crying out, " You cursed priest,
if you do not turn round and answer me, I'll shoot you
down!" Father Neumann, for whom death had no ter
rors, quietly pursued his way, allowing no threats to deter
him from the discharge of his duty. The same lawless
fellow made, some time after, a similar attack upon
Father Neumann's successor, this time brandishing a huge
knife. But a log of wood, hurled at him in the priest's
defence, brought him to his senses. Had it struck him,
it would have put an end to his disorderly career; a sud
den spring aside alone saved him.

At another of his stations one of the parishioners
brought Father Neumann an ostensorium, saying that he

Trials and Sufferings in the Ministry. 187

would present it to the church provided the latter were
named after his patron. Father Neumann represented to
him the impropriety of giving the church a title other
than that which the majority of the congregation de
sired. Such reasoning was unintelligible to the owner
of the ostensorium, who, however, offered to lend the
vessel for use on the approaching Feast of Corpus Christi.
To this Father Neumann replied that his offer could not
be accepted unless the ostensorium became the property
of the church. But again the stipulation was laid down
that the sacred edifice should be named after the donor's
patron; and so the matter ended by the ostensorium's
remaining in the hands of its unreasonable owner. Some
time after this, as Father Neumann was passing the
man's house, he was assailed by a shower of mud and
stones. Like others who had offended against the good
young priest, this poor deluded fellow and his family
were special objects of inquiry when Father Neumann
visited those parts as Bishop. He even bestowed upon
them the flattering appellation of friends.

Another fruitful source of annoyance to Father Neu
mann in his early missionary days were the drinking-
saloons. Wherever a Catholic church was erected, in its
vicinity immediately arose a drinking-saloon, in which
noisy merriment prevailed with numerous offences against
God. Father Neumann could not tolerate such disorders.
He admonished, he warned; but all in vain. His remon
strances were answered with the threat that a ball should
inaugurate the next holy-day. In his sermon on the
Sunday preceding the said festival, he impressed upon
his people the impropriety, the scandal, the sinfulness of
such a proceeding, declaring that if these amusements
did not cease, if they did not give up their present inten
tion, he would abandon the parish rather than counte
nance such an offence against God. The people, how
ever, trusting to the well-known indulgence of their
pastor, would not relinquish their design.

1 88 Life of Bishop Neumann.

The holy-day dawned. Extensive preparations had been
made for the iniquitous amusement, and all were on the
qui vive as to how the day would end. And behold! after
Mass that morning a wagon was seen in waiting before
the pastor's residence. The driver, anon-Catholic, being
questioned as to what it all meant, answered frankly:
"You must have offended your pastor very grievously.
He intends to leave you." And now from all sides
flocked men and women around the house. Father Neu
mann had packed his books and other effects, and was
ready to start. To every appeal to the contrary he replied,
in a decided tone: "I have implored you, I have warned
you to remove this scandal. You would not listen to me.
I will no longer be your pastor." The poor people en
treated him to remain, promising that the saloon-keeper
should give up the projected ball. The latter, hearing
of what was taking place at the pastoral residence, has
tened in dismay to ask " His Reverence's" pardon, but
begging him at the same time to sanction the ball just
this once, as he had made quite an outlay in preparing
for it. But their otherwise gentle and condescending
pastor was firm in his decision; there could be no
compromise in a question involving sin. " No," he
replied, " it must not be. I warned you in time, and
now you must abide by my decision." The man was
obliged to yield, and soon after he left the neighbor
hood.

Such encounters pained Father Neumann's kind, be
nevolent heart, though they failed to weaken his zeal for
the honor of God and the salvation of souls. He was
simply indefatigable in the enormous amount of work
entailed upon him by the immense district under his
care. He instructed the children, administered the Sac
raments, attended the sick, and built churches and
schools. Taught by his own experience, his good
friend Father Pax often admonished him to spare him
self a little. But Father Neumann would smilingly re-

Trials and Sufferings in the Ministry. 189

ply to such exhortations, "Oh, I'm a strong Bohemian
mountain-boy ! It will not hurt me."

Long years after, Father Pax used to delight in recall
ing the sayings and doings of his young friend and
companion, the sharer of his labors in the painful
beginnings of the western New York missions. More
than once he spoke as follows: " It was something
truly extraordinary to see that learned, pious, and amiable
young priest, a little valise in his hand or a bundle,
containing the requisites for saying holy Mass, over his
shoulder, courageously journeying from one to another
of his different stations. Sometimes the bad roads or
the deep snow rendered it impossible to procure a con
veyance; and very often, too, he would not use one, as
he thought himself strong enough to go on foot."

How many interesting and edifying incidents must
have occurred during these journeyings of the faith
ful priest! But, unfortunately, few have come to our
knowledge, as Father Neumann carefully avoided every
thing in conversation that could, even in a small de
gree, redound to his own praise; and in his journal
we find only the record of what he considered his infi
delities to God.

One Sunday he arrived at Lancaster pale as death
and fainting from exhaustion. He was obliged to go to
bed immediately. He had said Mass that morning at a
distant station, whence, laden as usual with altar requi
sites, he had started over a rough road to say Mass,
preach, etc., at a second station many miles off. The
tax on his strength had been too severe, and the condi
tion to which it reduced him aroused fears for the worst.
A physician was prompt in attendance, and, thanks to
his skill joined to his patient's natural vigor and energy,
a few days set all things right again.

About five miles from Williamsville, on the road to
North Bush, lived a kind-hearted gentleman who had
often been edified by the untiring zeal of our holy mis-

i go Life of Bishop Neumann.

sionary. One stormy day he saw him passing, and he
called out to him to come in and rest awhile. Father
Neumann excused himself, saying that he was expected
at Sheldon to perform a marriage-ceremony, and lie
named the groom. His friend endeavored to persuade
him not to put himself to so much trouble, not to pur
sue his journey in such weather, assuring him that it
would most likely prove fruitless; he knew the groom to
be a lukewarm Catholic who would doubtless have con
tracted a civil marriage even before his arrival. But
Father Neumann would listen to no such reasoning; he
hastened on through wind and rain to the performance
of his duty. What his friend had predicted was literally
fulfilled. To Father Neumann's deep mortification and
in spite of his earnest admonitions, the marriage had
been contracted before a magistrate with as much pub
licity as possible, a band of music in attendance.

There was nothing left to the priest but to turn his
back on the godless crowd and make his way home as
best he could. But Divine Providence had some little
indemnification in store for him, some little part of the
hundred-fold promised to those who give up all for God.
On his way through the woods, Father Neumann met
some of the better-disposed of his flock, who, noticing
the miserable condition of his shoes, insisted on his
going straight to the shoemaker's hard by and leaving
an order for a pair of good, stout boots. And so once
more do we see an illustration of the truth that all things
work together unto good for them that love God.

It is scarcely necessary to mention that the troubles here alluded
to by Father Neumann, belong rather to the times in which the
various congregations were formed out of many different elements.
Later on, such difficulties disappeared.

Father Neumann and N on- Cat ho lies. 191

CHAPTER VI.
Father Neumann and Non-Catholics.

AMONG the numerous obstacles which sprung up
to oppose Father Neumann's apostolic labors, not
the least inconsiderable was that which he experienced
from the vicinity of the Mennonites, or, as they are
known in this country, the Anabaptists. Their numbers
in his parishes ran higher than those of the Catholics
themselves. Bible in hand, they went from house to
house, singing, praying, and exhorting to conversion.
Many poor, ill-instructed Catholics were thus enticed to
their meetings, and their hearts perverted. That our
zealous young missionary was a target for their hatred
and ridicule we may readily imagine. They nicknamed
him "the little priest," and among them he went by no
other title.

One Sunday morning in winter, Father Neumann was
on his way to one of his most distant stations. The
snow was on the ground, and with difficulty could a
foot-passenger travel over the unbroken road. But such
difficulties were easily surmounted by one like Father
Neumann whose heart and soul soared above exterior
things. On he plodded, patiently and untiringly, his
bundle, as usual, slung over his shoulder. Suddenly the
sound of bells strikes on his ear, and he recognizes the
sharp ring of horses' hoofs on the crisp snow. Not
many moments after, a well-filled sleigh dashes past
him, and then comes to a sudden stand-still.

"Where are you going, little priest?" cries a cheery
voice.

"To my station at ," answered Father Neumann,

the "little priest" addressed.

192 Life of Bishop Neumann.

"Jump in with your load, and ride with us as far as
our church. It is just on your road."

Father Neumann graciously accepted the kind invita
tion, and took the seat offered him. The sleigh belonged
to a Baptist minister who with his family was on his
way, as we have seen, to the meeting-house. Father
Neumann's object in accepting the minister's kindness
was the hope of benefiting souls, little dreaming that his
own conversion was the motive from which the former
acted. But so it was. We shall see how Divine Provi
dence disposed this apparently casual meeting for Its
own wise ends.

No sooner was the sleigh again bounding over the
smooth snow, than its fanatical occupants opened their
battery upon the " little priest;" eacli vied with the
other in well-meant efforts to enlighten what they deemed
his spiritual darkness. They pitied him because, as they
said in sympathizing tones, he was laboring in vain,
toiling on foot, bearing a heavy load for miles, cheerless
and alone; whereas, if he were a Baptist preacher, he
might have his own conveyance, might lead a comfort
able, easy life, with a loving family to receive him when
he returned home, etc., etc. " Besides," they trium
phantly added, "we have the true religion, we have the
Holy Ghost!"

Father Neumann, though inwardly amused, had all
this time maintained profound silence. His opponents
were highly elated, judging from his manner their cause
as good as won. At the mention of the Holy Ghost,
however, their wished-for convert took up the word and
asked innocently, " Tell me how I also can be enlight
ened. How can I receive the true religion ?"

The enlightened comforted him with the assurance that
their ministers would fully satisfy him. Finally, it was
agreed that on a certain day they would assemble at the
house of one of their number and discuss matters pub
licly.

Father Neumann and Non-Catholics. 193

Father Neumann insisted upon the necessity of ap
pointing some one, agreeable to both parties, umpire, to
whose decision all would submit. Accordingly, to this
office an aged and highly esteemed lawyer, a man who
professed no form of religion, was named. His appoint
ment gave general satisfaction. On that very day,
Sunday, upon which the above incident transpired,
the rumor spread like wild-fire that the Catholic priest
was about to turn Baptist. Many even among the
Catholics gave credence to the report, as is proved by
the fact that one man was so enraged by what he
heard that he lay in wait with a loaded pistol for the
pastor's return. But Divine Providence interposed to
avert from both the threatened calamity; for Father
Neumann, without any special reason for it, went home
by another route. He informed his parishioners of the
projected conference, and requested their prayers for
the triumph of Holy Church.

The looked-for day at last arrived, and, at the hour
appointed, the ministers with their followers assembled.
Then came Father Neumann, attended by several of the
most prominent Catholics. The umpire took his chair,
and proceedings began. Father Neumann opened the
discussion by inquiring upon what authority his oppo
nents rested their religious belief.

" Upon the authority of the Bible," was the answer.

Question— " Who wrote the Bible ?"

Answer— "The Holy Ghost."

Question — " In what language and in what edition ?"

Answer — *' In all languages and in every edition."

Then Father Neumann, making a summary of the
above, spoke as follows:

" The Holy Ghost cannot contradict Himself. If your
Bibles do not perfectly agree, they cannot have been
written by the Holy Ghost; consequently the authority
of your religious belief is not divine."

Here the preachers asserted with one voice that their

194 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Bible was the same in all languages; that different edi
tions introduced no change. Then Father Neumann
requested several Bibles to be handed to him, from each
of which he read a few passages. The sense of these
passages differed in each rendition, though the heretics
obstinately maintained that it was not so. An appeal
was made to the chosen umpire, who frankly owned that
the passages in question differed so much from one
another that the author of them could not be looked
upon as worthy of belief.

Changing their ground, the preachers now declared
that they were enlightened by the Holy Spirit; that He
inspired them with what they ought to believe, and
taught them how to interpret the Sacred Scriptures.
Father Neumann replied by warning them against the
spirit by which they thought themselves enlightened,
quoting several instances in which the spirit of darkness
in the form of an angel of light had deluded the minds
of men.

" If you are enlightened by the Holy Ghost," said he,
" where are your miracles ?"

To this question they answered by another: "And
can you work miracles ?"

" Most assuredly," said Father Neumann, " I can work
miracles. At every Mass I celebrate, at every absolution
I give in the confessional, at every exorcism of the evil
one, I work miracles. The Catholic priest can and does
work miracles on these and any other proper occasions.
Now tell me, if you have, as you say, the Holy Ghost,
ought you not all to agree in your religious belief?"

" We ought," was the answer.

Here Father Neumann convicted them of inconsis
tency, showed them the glaring contradiction between
their theory and practice, and referred to the innumer
able variations which Protestantism had assumed and
was daily assuming.

His opponents, confounded and ashamed, endeavored

Father Neumann and Non-Catholics. 195

to conceal their chagrin; and one of them, bolder than
his brethren, boasted of his ability to prove to " the little
priest" that he was enlightened by the Holy Ghost.

"Proceed, then," said Father Neumann. "But first
answer me one question. Does the Holy Ghost dwell in
you ?"

"Most undoubtedly!" was the cool reply.

"Prove it, my friend," returned Father Neumann.

" My whole life proves it," began the preacher, with an
air of righteous assurance. " Once I was a sinful man.
I used to steal my neighbors' horses and cows; I often
cheated them in many other ways. But since my conver
sion, I have been a changed man."

Father Neumann here turned to the assembly and,
with a twinkle of amusement in his eye, asked :

"My friends, you have just heard one of your preach
ers confessing his past delinquencies. He assures us
that he once cheated and stole, etc. Now can any of
you inform me whether he ever made restitution for his
ill-gotten goods ?"

"No, no!" shouted a chorus of voices. " He never did!"

"Then," asked the priest, highly amused, "is his con
version a genuine one ?"

"No, no, no!" resounded from all sides. " He is the
same old rogue that he ever was!"

The reader is free to imagine the ludicrous effect
produced by this unexpected conclusion of the religious
debate. Filled with shame, the disputants slunk away
from the hall, one to meet an engagement, another to
return to his sick child, etc., and Father Neumann and
his friends soon found themselves alone with the umpire.
The latter shook hands with the victorious party, laugh
ingly congratulating them on their triumph; whilst the
preachers had nothing to bring forward in extenuation
of their defeat excepting that "the little priest" was too
shrewd, too cunning, had too much worldly wisdom in
him. Religion must be pure.

196 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Though vanquished in argument, the heretics did not
return to that unity from which their forefathers had un
happily strayed. Pride closed the avenues to so great a
grace, but thenceforth their fanatical attacks upon Father
Neumann and his flock ceased. One blessed result of
the conference was the return of the poor deluded Catho
lics whom the hope of worldly advantages had been
mainly instrumental in seducing from the truth. Their
repentance was sincere, and gladly did they find them
selves once more in the fold of Christ.

From a remark in one of his letters to a friend we
may gather Father Neumann's opinion of his opponents'
argumentative abilities:

"How I wish B 's admirers could dispute for a

short time with our American heretics! It would be the
very best means of removing his doubts. As soon as a
man separates from the Church and her doctrines, even
in one point, he becomes unreasonable, illogical, falls
into doubt, and ends by obstinate heresy.

"As regards Protestantism, I must say that I have
been undeceived. I used to think that its splitting up
into innumerable forms had generated coldness and in
difference; but it is not so. Their noisy preaching in
the streets and public places, the obtrusiveness of those
who distribute Bibles, their ridiculous prophecies re
specting the Day of Judgment, etc., amaze us Catholics.
If one enters a Methodist meeting-house during religious
services, one might believe himself transported to the
times of Elias and the priests of Baal. All are praying
aloud, though not in concert. One shouts, another
screams; some weep, some sing; whilst others, turning
deadly pale, fall to the floor, foam at the mouth, groan
as if in agony, roll about convulsively, having, as they
blasphemously assert, received the Holy Ghost. It
would be worth while to advise our European sceptics
to attend one of these sensational meetings. They
would, without doubt, carry away a belief in the exist-

Father Neumann and Non-Catholics. 197

ence of the devil. That the Catholic Church alone is
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic is convincingly brought
home to our Catholics here, for the truth enters both by
eyes and ears."

Father Neumann's fervent prayers for the conversion
of infidels and heretics were productive of a rich harvest
of souls. God granted him the consolation of leading
many a wandering sheep back to the fold. If he hap
pened to hear of some poor apostate Catholics among
the Protestants of his locality, his heart was torn with
anguish, and he redoubled his prayers and penances in
their behalf.

"My God, my God," he cried, "sanctify me, that I
may become a fit instrument of Thy graces and mercies
to the souls Thou hast confided to me! If Thou seest
that success will make me vain, do not, I beseech Thee,
on that account allow me to fail. Humble me in some
other way, but do not punish me through my parishion
ers."

Sometimes his journal speaks of whole families under
instruction, either for baptism or reception into the
Church. Here are some lines which initiate us into the
secret of his success:

"The recitation of the Rosary for my stray sheep is
always productive of abundant fruit. I will redouble
my zeal in this sweet and efficacious devotion."

To prayer Father Neumann united study. One of his
resolutions of this period was to prepare more diligently
for his sermons, hoping thereby more easily to convince
heretics of the truth.

His longing for the salvation of souls was so intense
that he offered himself a victim to the justice of Almighty
God, being willing to suffer and die for this end. We
read in his journal, under date of September 14, 1836:

"To-day has been a very painful one to me. I have
heard of the apostasy of one of my parishioners. My
heart is pierced with sorrow. Lord Jesus, have mercy!

198 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Ah, permit not that any one of those whom Thou hast
entrusted to me should be lost! O my Jesus, I will pray,
fast, suffer, and, with the help of Thy grace, sacrifice life
itself! Lord, endue my words with power and unction
that they may glorify the truth!"

Almighty God accepted the magnanimous offering of
His faithful servant; for unspeakable were the mental
tortures he endured to procure the grace of truth and
faith for his flock. The same day on which his heart
bled over the miserable defection of the poor soul men
tioned above, he had the ineffable happiness of receiving
back into the fold one dead to the faith for years.

On the evening of a day on which he had administered
the Sacraments to the sick or dying, he always prayed
especially for the sufferer. We learn this practice from
the lines found in his journal:

" O Lord God, Heavenly Father, grant to my sick
children a pure and heart-felt love of Thee! Give them
contrition, patience, and, above all, heavenly aspirations."

Sick-calls at night were frequent, sometimes from a
distance of ten or fifteen miles. His friends at last in
terposed, and begged the people to limit such calls, if
possible, to the daytime. Mr. Schmidt, at whose house
he lodged for a time, persuaded the young pastor to ride
when the distance was great, and furnished him with a
horse for that purpose. Now, Father Neumann, as we
know, was no cavalier. Many a mile have we seen him
journeying with no other conveyance than the " apostolic
horses" provided him by nature. His was a life per
fectly modelled upon that of the Divine Preacher who,
footsore and weary, crossed mountain and valley in the
hallowed land of Judea when He, too, went about His
"Father's business." The first time, therefore, that
Father Neumann mounted his spirited young horse, a
groom had to lead the animal by the bridle. On another
occasion, when about to mount, Father Neumann was
exposed to imminent peril. He thrust his foot into the

Father Neumann and Non-Catholics. 199

wrong stirrup, and that so far that it was impossible for
him to withdraw it without assistance. Meanwhile the
animal started, and, seeing that he was on the point of
running away, Father Neumann flung himself into the
saddle, when lo! he found himself seated backward.
To secure his seat, he grasped the saddle with both
hands. Off went the horse with his unskilful rider; and
badly enough might it have fared with our reverend
Gilpin, had not some men working near by run to the
rescue. This horse seemed to be instinctively aware of
his master's inexperience, and to take a malicious delight
in trying his patience. Father Neumann was low in
staiure; consequently, to mount and dismount, he was
obliged to make use of some neighboring fence or log.
It often happened, especially on muddy roads, that the
horse would plant himself obstinately in the middle of a
swamp and refuse to move a step until his unfortunate
rider had dismounted. Then he would advance nimbly
enough; but let the master again seat himself in the
saddle and, ten to one, the same tricks would recom
mence. Poor Father Neumann was often forced to foot
it by the animal's side, his bundle over his shoulder.
But no such freaks could disconcert the patient priest.
In his holy simplicity, he used to praise the tantalizing
beast, calling it his travelling companion, and sharing
with it his bread, apples, etc.

One day a blacksmith was witness of the animal's
capers. He prepared to administer a sound beating as
a specific to its obstinacy, but Father Neumann hastily
interposed: " My horse and I agree very well together.
I cannot let him be punished."

" He needs to be broken in," said the man. " Let me
train him for you;" and up he sprung to the animal's
back.

Trot, trot, went the horse for a few paces, and then
deposited his valiant rider on the ground, where he lay
groaning from a broken arm.

2OO Life of Bishop Neumann.

Great as was Father Neumann's patience with his freak
ish companion, yet a day dawned on which it was put to
a severe test. Father Neumann was, as we have before
stated, a lover of Nature in all her forms, and a success
ful botanical student. He had long been in quest of a
certain flower which at last, in one of his rides through
the woods, he discovered. To get off his horse, make a
foot-path through the swamp by means of some logs,
was a labor fully repaid by the gratification he felt when
gently holding the beautiful object of his exertions be
tween his finger and thumb. Slowly he returned to where
the horse stood. For an instant he paused intent on his
examination of sepal and petal, stamen and pistil, when
lo! it was suddenly snatched from his hand, and, looking
up, he beheld the horse's head over his shoulder, and the
animal in the act of swallowing it. Immense was his
loss; but more quickly than the theft was committed
went theyfa/ from the botanist's heart up to heaven. In
the least as in the greatest events of life, our saintly
priest recognized the finger of God. He felt sure that
this little sacrifice was the one demanded of him at
that moment. In after-years Father Neumann often re
curred to this incident, and the remembrance of his
horse's pranks never failed to amuse him.

Father Neumanns Missionary Plans. 201

CHAPTER VII.
Father Neumann's Missionary Plans.

FATHER NEUMANN had formed broad plans for
the missions of America. One of his favorite
projects, even while a seminarian, was the establish
ment of a mission-house in Bohemia especially devoted
to the propagation of Catholicity in America. Under
the direction of Rev. Father Dichtl, such of his fellow-
students as were animated by a similar spirit were to
open this institution so beneficial to the work of the mis
sions, and by funds raised in Bohemia support the priests
who would generously devote themselves to the service
of poor abandoned souls.

Several of his letters to Father Dichtl and other
friends bear witness to Father Neumann's adherence to
these views, which, indeed, seem only to have gained fresh
strength from his practical knowledge of missionary life.
On June 4, 1837, he wrote in his journal:

" Thanks be to God! the obstacles to our missions in
America augur good results. Our difficulties will vanish
when God, as I sincerely trust He will, comes to our
aid. If we resolutely set to work, resigned to the dis
positions of Divine Providence, we shall soon attain the
end of our desires.

" Doubtless you would like to hear my reasons for
these fond hopes. Whilst at Munich I was informed by
a priest from Philadelphia that my admission into that
diocese was highly improbable; so I at once resolved to
go among the Indians. God, however, disposed other
wise. I became a missionary in the diocese of New
York, and was sent to the Germans living in the district

2O2 Life of Bishop Neumann.

between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Thus I was
forced to abandon my design, if not forever, at least for
the time being. But now I understand that this arrange
ment was for me the very best means of attaining my
object, and I have constantly endeavored to learn the
views of the various Bishops in the United States. For
the Indians in the western part of the Union much has
been done. By a decree of the Holy See the missions
of this immense territory have been entrusted to the care
of the Jesuits, though other laborers are not excluded.
I now live scarcely half a day's journey from Upper
Canada. I often inquire of the French Canadians who
come here to make their Easter confession concerning
the state of religion among them. The account they
give is not cheering. True, there is a flourishing semi
nary at Montreal, but the labors of the Bishops are
mostly restricted to the French and Irish. On the
northern banks of Lake Huron and Lake Superior are
immense forests peopled by Indians who, about once or
twice a year, are visited by European fur-traders. Here
is plenty of work for the missionary. Our projected
institute, whose existence I trust is not far off, might
also be of great service to the German settlers. Al
though I sometimes find myself in straits for the neces
saries of life, yet I am quite satisfied that my district
could easily support two or even three priests. But
only poor priests, or those who are willing to lead a hard
life, can get along in this part of the country. A per
manent abode cannot be hoped for; the priest is contin
ually on the go. Should any of your confreres be willing
to devote themselves to missionary work among our
northern Indians, they could not better prepare for it
than by a temporary residence among our Germans.
The body develops new powers of endurance from ex
posure, fasting, travelling, and other fatiguing exer
tions; one gradually learns the state of the country, the
manners of the people, and becomes familiar with the

Father Neumann s Missionary Plans. 203

Indians, whom he constantly meets roaming about.
Should you, Reverend Father, make any rules for the
contemplated society, I give my consent to them in ad
vance."

In another letter to the same reverend gentleman,
Father Neumann says: "The second step toward the
realization of our plan has, with God's help, been made.
I enclose to you the written authorization of Right Rev.
Bishop Dubois, of New York, securing the reception
into the diocese of two or three zealous priests or theo
logical students. Nothing is wanting now except that
the Holy Ghost should inspire some of His servants to
consecrate themselves to the spread of the Gospel in
North America. The want of Catholic priests and the
spiritual destitution of the people increase from day to
day. Judging even from a human view, such a state of
things must eventually lead to lamentable results. But
God is the support of His Church. He will provide for
her. Much scandal has been given in these parts by
the arrival of unworthy priests who come here merely
to lead a reckless life amid the confusion of heresies.
But the vigilance of the Bishops over the teaching and
conduct of their priests exposes these wretched crea
tures to greater opprobrium than they would be sub
jected to in Europe, and so they hurry off even before
they have learned one word of English. Other priests,
zealous and pious, return home on account of old age
or ill-health; others, again, because of the corruption of
morals, which appears to them incurable. That the
evils existing among our people are very great is, in
deed, only too true, and the reason of this is that many of
them are mere adventurers, restless fanatics, sighing for
what they call liberty; and some there are who have but
narrowly escaped the outstretched arms of justice. Still,
we must allow that apostasy from the faith, considering
the evil influence everywhere exercised by heretics, is
not so frequent as one might suppose; nay, the number

2O4 Life of Bishop Neumann.

of those who return to the bosom of the only saving
Church balances the loss sustained by such defections.
The gain would surely be greater if earnest priests were
more numerous. If, humanly speaking, evils threaten
the Church, they must be ascribed, above all, to the want
of priests and the inadequate instruction of our youth.
The education of the latter claims much of the mission
ary's time; but God's assistance is never wanting, it often
interposes in ways most wonderful. The zeal of our
young Catholics and their eagerness for knowledge are
simply astonishing. Last year during my three weeks'
stay at Williamsville preparing the children for First
Communion, most of them had to come six miles to in
structions, and this they did even in the worst weather.
In that short time they learned not only the principal
truths of Christian faith and morals, but they made
greater progress in reading and writing than could be
done in Europe in many years.

" The moment has now arrived for me to remind my
dear friends in Bohemia of the words of Jesus Christ:
'Go into the whole world, and teach all nations.' From
the seminaries of America no help for the Germans can
yet be expected. Therefore do I beg my brethren
who are resolved to come to this country to do so at
once, to hasten to the assistance of our militant Church.

( If Rev. S , of Verona; S , of Vienna; P and

S , etc., are still inclined that way, I most earnestly

entreat them to come.) If any others entertain the same
desire, I beg you to examine whether their religious
principles agree with the teachings of the Roman Catho
lic Church; otherwise it would be well for them to pro
vide the means for a speedy return. If my petition
meets, as I hope it will, a favorable response, you would
oblige me by letting me know at once. With the names
of the aspirants, state also the time of their setting out
for America."

In order to bring about more surely and speedily the

Father Neiimanris Missionary Plans. 205

establishment of the Mission Institute, Father Neumann
also addressed a letter to the Reverend Superior of the
Archiepiscopal Seminary at Prague. In it he says:
" Should your Reverence find among our confreres in the
seminary of Prague (which I shall ever remember) one or
more subjects who, in childlike faith and obedience to
Holy Mother Church, desire to devote themselves to the
arduous life of a missionary in America, I entreat you
to give them every encouragement. If Father Dichtl
should have the full number of applicants, you would
oblige me by letting me know, that I may apply for
their admission into the New York diocese. Right
Rev. John Hughes, Coadjutor- Bishop of the diocese,
told me recently that he would admit seven or eight
candidates. It is not necessary for them to speak
either English or French; they can easily learn both
languages in this country, and that very quickly. Good
health is a qualification very desirable in a priest des
tined for America; for the missions entail much travel
ling, fasting, and preaching. Still, indifferent health
should not deter any one, since God supplies when
strength fails.

"As for myself, I am fully satisfied with the labors of
the sphere assigned me, for I came here to atone for my
sins and to win souls to God. Nowhere, I think, can a
better opportunity be found for doing both than here in
America. May God grant me the grace to discharge my
duties more worthily than I now do!"

Here Father Neumann enters into some details respect
ing his missions, and then continues: " From all that I
have said, you will easily understand how much there is
to be accomplished here, and how much more good
might be effected were the workmen more numerous.
The district, embracing about five hundred miles be
tween the Erie Canal and the Hudson River, is peopled
by Germans who, for the most part, are destitute of all
spiritual assistance. Coming to this country after a

206 Life of Bishop Neumann.

certain age, a German scarcely ever learns English.
He knows not even how to bid good-morning in that lan
guage. The words of the Lord, ' In strange tongues I
will speak to my people,' are verified in them. May
God vouchsafe to hear their prayers, and send them
priests of their own nationality ! Despite their entrea
ties to that effect, I can rarely visit them, as I am hardly
sufficient for the wants of my own extensive territory.

" The Catholic population is continually on the in
crease; not that conversions swell our numbers, but im
migration goes on rapidly. Conversions, however, are
by no means rare. Many of our Catholics are in ex
treme poverty. They live in miserable shanties, some
of which have not even the luxury of a window. As a
general thing, chairs and bedsteads are unknown. I
have seen the dying stretched on a bundle of straw or
moss. To hear their confessions and prepare them for
the Sacraments, I have to seat myself by their side on
the ground. When the priest enters an Irishman's
shanty, the whole family, young and old, make the sign
of the cross and salute him with, 'Welcome, Father!'
How consoling such a salutation from faithful hearts !"

Animated by the noblest sentiments of Christian
friendship, Father Neumann invited his most intimate
friend and fellow-student to join him in his labors for
the glory of God. Here are his words: " May I not in
dulge the hope of seeing you again, of seeing you in
America — in that land whose name, after the sweet name
of Jesus, so often conjured up the brightest visions in
the years we passed together ? Yes, that name was so
dear to us that it formed the theme of our daily conver
sation. Time never hung heavily with us, though \ve
constantly interchanged the same sentiments. The idea
of the American missions was at that time so closely
interwoven with our one great thought, the service of
God and our neighbor, that any other road leading
thereto, how well known or secure soever it might be,

Father Neumanns Missionary Plans. 207

appeared to us foreign and distasteful. You still sigh,
if I may credit your own words, for America and your
friend of by-gone days. Why, then, do you not come ?
Why are you not even now on the road to the New
World ? Of course, as you so well understand, there is
question of vocation. But this, I believe, is not wanting
to you. Your great desire to serve our Holy Church in
America appears to me an undoubted call from Heaven."
As far as the present fulfilment of his ardent desires
was concerned, Father Neumann wrote and pleaded
in vain. The Missionary Society, whose formation he
had so much at heart, was destined never to spring into
existence; moreover, not one of Father Neumann's for
mer companions ever found his way to the shores of
America. Several of them did, indeed, make some fu
tile attempts to follow him, but insurmountable obsta
cles arose to prevent the realization of their dream.
Doubtless the vocation for foreign missions had not
been vouchsafed to them by the Lord of the harvest.
Many of those designated by Father Neumann in the
letters just quoted are now zealously and successfully
laboring in their own country for the honor of God and
the salvation of souls.

208 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER VIII.
Father Neumann's Own Sanctification.

CONSCIENTIOUSLY and untiringly as Father
V^ Neumann attended to the spiritual wants of his
flock, he yet found time for his own sanctification. His
life was most exemplary. He made use of every means
in his power to perfect himself in his high vocation.
Hardships and journeys; the labors incidental to so ex
tensive a parish as his; the building of churches and
schools, to which, from the very beginning of his minis
try, he energetically devoted himself — nothing could in
terfere with the one great object of his life, the sanctifi
cation of his own soul. As long years before, in the
peaceful seclusion of college-life, so now, in the turmoil
of active duty, do we find him faithfully recording the
various impressions and emotions of his interior. His
keeping of a journal was no idle formula, but conscien
tiously, in a way peculiar to himself, utterly regard
less of the revolts of self-love, were all his entries
made.

" I feel in myself," he writes, " an extreme desire to
love Jesus Christ ardently, to be closely united to Him.
The daily reception of His Sacred Body and Blood ought
to bring with it immense graces to my soul. But I find
that I am not sufficiently watchful over my eyes; I am
indolent in the discharge of my duty; I say my Office
with distractions. Every Saturday at five, I will recite
the Litany of the Blessed Virgin in church. O my
dearest Jesus, I can now visit Thee daily, as often as I
choose. I receive Thee so frequently; I receive Thee
every day — yes, even twice on Sundays and holy-days.

Father Neumann's Own Sanctification. 209

Oh, help me to grow in virtue, since I am so near to the
fountain of living waters!"

Here are some resolutions made about this period.
How clear an insight they afford into the interior state
of him who formed them!

" i. I will always say my Office kneeling and as
devoutly as possible. I will also try to say it at the
stated hours.

" 2. I will be very exact in making my preparation
for Mass and my thanksgiving after it.

" 3. Every day after dinner I will make a visit to the
Most Blessed Sacrament.

"4. I will never eat out of mealtime, which will be at
noon and in the evening.

" 5. I will prepare more carefully for my sermons.

" 6. I will speak only through necessity or for the
greater glory of God.

" 7. I will watch over my thoughts and senses. My
God, help me through the intercession of Mary and all
the saints. Amen."

That his prayers might be more efficacious, our good
young Father addressed himself to those saints who were
characterized here on earth by their intense love for God.
" My dearest Lord and Master," he one day exclaimed,
" behold my poor crushed heart ! Oh, permit me to 'ad
vance on the road of perfection, that road which leads
to Thee, my dearly beloved Saviour, my only Treasure !
O my Jesus, Spouse of St. Teresa, the thought of whom
fills me with a longing desire for Thy love, delay no
longer to shower upon my parched soul the consolations
of Thy love ! St. Teresa, whose heart was so inflamed
with the love of Thy Divine Spouse, pray for me, that
God may purify, justify, sanctify me ! Behold my de
sires to love Jesus, to give myself entirely to Him!"

His sins, as he denominated those small imperfections
from which even the "just man" is not wholly free, were
to Father Neumann a source of constant and bitter self-

2io Life of Bishop Neumann.

recrimination. God alone knows the penances performed,
the tears shed in expiation of them. Weighed down by
the thought of them, he exclaims:

" I will weep over my sins even to the loss of sight.
Lord, accept my tears, and grant me in this life true con
trition."

In fact, page after page of his journal betrays abun
dant evidence of those tears which accompanied the out
pourings of his love and sorrow. Meditation on the
sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary was sufficient to pro
duce in his soul emotions so lively that, as he himself
states:

" My tears have so exhausted me that I have become
almost senseless."

True love brings forth fruit; consequently we read, a
little farther on:

" My Lord and my God, I vow to say every Friday, as
long as I live, at 3 P.M., if possible, the Litany of our
Lord's bitter Passion, and I promise, also, to teach my
children to recite the Rosary in honor of the Blessed
Virgin. This I resolve to do, O my God !"

Father Neumann was not exempt from those intense
spiritual sufferings which usually fall to the lot of the
elect. The salvation of those confided to him wrung
from him many a cry of anguish. Witness the follow
ing:

" Mercy, mercy, my God ! My God, infinite mercy !
My faith in the Most Blessed Sacrament grows weak.
Ah! when will this end ? O ye tears, could ye but wash
away the stains of my soul ! Hopes and longings of my
youth, how utterly have ye been blasted ! Flowers of
virtue in the garden of my heart, how have ye been
rooted up and trampled upon ! Ah, my Lord, would
that I really loved Thee ! Divine Master, how canst
Thou permit my immortal soul, my soul which believes
in Thee, to perish forever miserably ?"

We see from the pages before us that whole months

Father Neumann's Own Sanctifi cation. 2 1 1

passed in these mental sufferings; that no ray of conso
lation came from on high to alleviate their poignancy.

"That love, O my God, which once united me to
Thee," he often exclaims, " has completely disappeared.
O my Jesus, I am lost to heaven, I am dead to Thee !
Oh, raise me up again to life, Thou who alone canst work
wonders ! Lord, what shall I do ? Infant Jesus, how
estranged hast Thou become from me ! Am I to be for
ever banished from Thee ? O my God, give me strength,
give me back my love for Thee !"

Such were the mental tortures with which Almighty
God visited His chosen servant; for such is the road
trodden by souls from whom He, the wise and good
Father, asks and expects much.

Harassed on all sides, trials, annoyances, and disap
pointments from without, anguish of spirit within,
Father Neumann believed himself the cause of all the
evils existing in his several parishes. More than once
the thought of fleeing to the wilderness and there con
cealing himself suggested itself as a welcome release
from his burden of responsibility.

"In my faint-heartedness," he says, "I indulged wild
dreams. To escape the terrible responsibility resting
upon me, I sometimes thought of abandoning my flock,
of fleeing to some distant solitude where I might lead a
hidden, penitential life, or hire myself as a laborer in the
fields. The fear of creating suspicion in the minds of
the faithful, and of affording the enemies of our holy
religion occasion to blaspheme, alone prevented my
carrying out this project. Dark thoughts constantly
assailed me. Thou didst come to bring fire and the
sword — yea, Lord, and both have fallen to my share!
Holy guardian angel, blessed archangel St. Michael,
strengthen me for the combat!"

Father Neumann's only refuge during these conflicts
was fervent prayer to Jesus and His holy Mother. And
therefore did his Lord and Master take the faithful

212 Life of Bishop Neumann.

servant by the hand that he might not suffer injury,
might not succumb to temptation.

"God protected me," he goes on to say, "in all my
terrible struggles. When clouds grew darkest, He arose
to strengthen and to save. To-day I was several times
on the point of being vanquished, but Divine Providence
came to my aid."

His earnest strivings after union with God rises, at
this period, to the inspired language of the Sacred Bard.
Behold the following plaintive and beautiful aspirations
of his loving soul:

u Jesus, my delight, has fled; alas, I seek for Him in
vain! I have lost my Beloved. He hearkens not to my
sighs, He heeds not my voice. My eyes are blinded by
tears, my voice has grown weak from lamenting; but
He is not moved. He does not show Himself to my
poor soul. Jesus, Jesus, where art Thou ? Because thou
hast followed Baal, O thou priestly soul, thy Spouse has
separated Himself from thee, He has wedded another.
And behold! Baal wretchedly repays thee. He mocks
thee, he repulses thee with scorn, and thou wanderest
fainting and hopeless, tormented by thy reawakening
love and fruitlessly sighing after thy Saviour."

Sometimes a ray of light seems to have penetrated his
soul, and his aspirations assume a more trustful tone:

"O Heavenly Father, see, my poor heart opens up to
Thee, touched by a ray of Thy divine grace. Drive from
it, I beseech Thee, the evil one, for, of myself, I am un
able to do so. O lovely Infant Jesus, Thou wilt live
again in me! Oh, that on the glorious and joyous Feast
of Thy Nativity I could prepare an agreeable dwelling
for Thee in my heart! O Jesus, Almighty Saviour,
hasten to my relief! O dearest Infant, wash me with
the tears which my sins draw from Thy sweet eyes!
Bless me, tiny hands of my Infant Saviour! Open, sweet
lips of my little Jesus, and say, 'Thy sins are forgiven
thee!' Oh, be not dead in my heart, dear Jesus! My sins

Father Neumanns Own Sanctification. 213

have, indeed, put Thee to death; but do Thou, the
Almighty One, be born again. Rise from the dead, and
raise me with Thee to a new life! Bless me, O Jesus,
with Thy little hands! Bless me, and give me simplicity
of heart, humility, and obedience!"

Every assault of human passion was courageously
combated by Father Neumann, everything carefully
guarded against that might prove an obstacle to the at
tainment of the end of his priestly vocation. It seems
to us almost incredible that he should accuse himself of
avarice, he who had never lived save in the practice of
the strictest poverty, cheerfully depriving himself of even
the necessaries of life in behalf of a suffering neighbor.
Still, we find the following ingenuous lines bearing upon
this point:

" This hoarding up money for the poor-house" (Father
Mertz had built one at Eden) " may end by making me
avaricious. I must be on my guard." And again: "I
fear I am becoming miserly. I take so much delight in
counting money. I hav£ begun to offer a little resist
ance to the vice of avarice by giving half a dollar to the
servers at Holy Mass. I must repeat the donation in
order to free myself entirely from such temptations;
otherwise I cannot love Jesus with my whole heart."

And yet we know that at this time Father Neumann's
circumstances were straitened enough for any apostle;
there was neither room for the enjoyment of the comforts
of life, nor even a thought of the same. His very self-
accusation opens up to us some of the most charming
secrets of his pure soul. Without such an acknowledg
ment, many of his heroic virtues would have remained
forever concealed. The records of his humility redound
to his own honor; for "without struggle no victory,
without victory no crown."

Never hesitating to combat temptation by the most
efficacious remedies, Father Neumann shrank not from
employing, in what he considered his temptation to

214 Life of Bishop Neumann.

avarice, a means which, outside of a religious Order,
would naturally give rise to innumerable difficulties.
But "love casts out fear," and his was that perfect love
which gives all to the Beloved. Here are his words:

"This incipient hankering after money prevents me
from keeping my thoughts fixed on God. On the eve of
St. Peter of Alcantara's Feast (1836) I was unusually dis
couraged and distracted. I took refuge from my cares
with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and as I prayed
and wept before Him, the thought occurred to me to
make the vow of poverty. I followed the inspiration in
all sincerity. The reflection as to how I should practise
it gave me some uneasiness; but, O my God, I trust to
Thee for light and strength. Peace returned to my
soul."

Father Neumann contemplated about this time the
erection of a school-house at Williamsville; but, dreading
the expense it would entail, the church-trustees opposed
his plans. In one of his colloquies with Almighty God
we find the following on this subject:

" This school-house will have to be my own work under
Thee, O my God; but, for Thy love, I will spare nothing.
My vow of poverty will now be of service to me. I shall
have a chance to test the sincerity of my resolutions."

The disfavor in which some Catholics of Williamsville
held Father Neumann the latter repaid in the coin of
the saints. He left nothing undone to return the insults
heaped upon him by the most disinterested works of
charity in their behalf. During that bitter period of
spiritual abandonment of which we have already made
mention, he one day exclaimed:

"Will not even my love for my enemies move Thee,
O Jesus ? Witness my last expenditure, the stove for
the school out of my private purse. Lord, I offer it to
Thee."

This purchase, if the truth were known, was made at
the sacrifice of Father Neumann's last dollar. Shortly

Father Neumanns Own Sanctification. 215

after, we find him furnishing the same school with
benches.

"The thought that it was for my Jesus, the Friend of
children," he says, " for His love, has won me a victory
over my hankering after money. Yes, my Jesus, all for
Thee! I will teach my children to know and love Thee,
but first do Thou make me humble, childlike, free from
guile."

216 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER IX.

Father Neumann's Vocation to the Religious Life
/~*j&L6^ ***/Vr*«

WHEN Easter of 1840 rolled round, it found Father
Neumann completely broken down. He was
seized with intermittent fever in its most violent and
obstinate form, and for three months he was a prey to
its weakening attacks, being often obliged to keep his
bed. Now was the time for Wenceslaus to show his fra
ternal devotedness; nor was he found wanting in this
hour of need. His thoughtful and gentle ministrations
contributed in no small degree to the comfort and relief
of his reverend brother. A very remarkable feature of
this period was the fact that not one of his parishioners
needed Father Neumann's priestly services during the
whole time of his sickness, though previously to it
scarcely a day passed without a sick-call.

When he began to convalesce he was advised by his
friends to take a short trip for the sake of change of
scene and air. Yielding to their advice, he went to
Rochester for a few days. Here he stopped with the
Redemptorist Father Siinderl; but though benefited
by the change, no persuasions could induce him to
remain over Sunday; he must be back for his missions
on that day. Father Neumann's delicate health dates
from this period; and though we shall still find him
getting through an immense amount of hard work in
the vineyard of his Lord, yet his pristine vigor was gone.
His previous exertions regardless of his own corporal
needs now told on his otherwise fine constitution. He
returned, as we have seen, to his wide-spread missions
to enter upon duties now far above his strength. One

Father Neumanris Vocation. 217

day when paying his customary visit to Father Pax in
Buffalo, his first words after greeting him were: " Father
Pax, I must give up; my health is gone." Such an
admission from the "Bohemian mountain-boy" speaks
volumes.

Dating from this epoch sprung up a closer intimacy
between Father Neumann and the Fathers of the Con
gregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. About two
years previously Father Neumann had had occasion to
communicate by letter withjRev. Father^Prost, C.SS.R.,
then at Norwalk, Ohio. He requested information re
specting the German Catholics of Rochester, whose
pastor Father Prost had formerly been. Father Neu
mann informed Father Prost that he now had charge of
his former parishioners, whom he visited several times a
year, and asked an explanation of certain difficulties
which gave rise to dispute and discord. He praised
the fervor of the people, and ended with the words:

"I must candidly acknowledge that my short stay
among your former parishioners has afforded me much
spiritual consolation. May God be praised! The zeal
for decorating the house of God which you have infused
into these good people, and much more the ardent de
sire which hundreds of them manifest for the Body and
Blood of our Lord, filled me with astonishment. In my
own parishes, which united count about the same num
ber, I very rarely have the consolation of witnessing so
great a love of God. I trust the Lord, after so severe a
chastisement, will visit them again in mercy. If you
could possibly arrange to come yourself, Reverend
Father, or send one of your brethren, you would greatly
rejoice these good people. They have several times
asked to have me for their pastor; they have written to
Bishop Dubois and his coadjutor, Bishop Hughes, to this
effect. If free to choose, I could never resoive upon leav
ing my own people; for if they are once forsaken, they
will, on account of their poverty, remain so. But the

2i8 Life of Bishop Neumann.

flourishing condition of the Rochester mission authorizes
the conviction that no German priest will refuse the
charge. The Rochester Catholics possess this advantage
over my poor people, that, until the arrival of their own
pastor, they can hear Mass and receive the Sacraments
in the English church, as they have done since Father
Czackert's departure; whereas in my districts there would
be over a thousand souls who could get to Mass scarcely
once a year."

A second reason which led to Father Neumann's cor
respondence with Father Prost was his desire of estab
lishing the Confraternity of the Scapular among his
parishioners. He says:

" I have been requested by some pious souls to bless
their scapulars; but I have declined for the present, not
thinking myself authorized to confer such a blessing.
To whom must I apply for these faculties ? For a long
time I have been anxious to establish the Confraternity
of Mt. Carmel among my people. I applied some time
ago to Father Riiss, of Strasburg, for the necessary fac
ulties, also for the rules of the society; but as yet I have
received no answer. If you can give me any informa
tion in this matter, I beg you to do so. I am unfortu
nately very ignorant on such points."

Father Prost, in his answer to the above, remarked that,
as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer, he could establish the Confraternity of Mt.
Carmel, though he could not empower another to do so.
He closed his letter with these words of the Holy Spirit:
" Va soli! Woe to him who is alone!" He seems to
have used the expression as an intimation of his desire
of Father Neumann's joining the RedemptorLsts, for he
had long been persuaded that such was the young
priest's vocation. The thought, however, did not then
occupy Father Neumann's attention; it was not till
toward the close of 1840 that he felt drawn to the
leligious life. He tells us in his journal of the cir-

Father Neumanns Vocation. 219

cumstances which combined to turn his heart in that
direction.

" For four years," he writes, " I strove earnestly to
animate my people to fervor similar to that which I re
marked in St. Joseph's parish, Rochester, but I did not
succeed. This, added to a natural, or rather a super
natural, longing to live in some society of priests, so as
not to be left to myself in the midst of the thousand and
one dangers incidental to the world, inspired me with
the thought of entering the Congregation of the Most
Holy Redeemer. On that same day, nay, at that same
hour, September 4, 1840, I applied to the Superior, Rev.
Father Prost, for admission. On the i6th of the same
month I received permission to enter, with directions to
repair to Pittsburg. Immediately on receipt of this let
ter I notified Right Rev. Bishop Hughes, administrator
of the New York diocese, of my intention, begging his
blessing, and requesting him to send a priest, or rather
priests, to take charge of the different parishes. Reluc
tantly, and only after long deliberation and repeated
refusals, did the Bishop grant me my discharge."

And well might the prelate hesitate to deprive his
diocese of so faithful a missionary as Father Neumann,
in losing whom he lost one of his most active and
zealous priests.

Father Neumann kept his intentions secret until the
day of his departure. Only his confessor, Father Pax,
and his good brother Wenceslaus were aware of the
loss they, in common with the parishioners of the seve
ral missions under Father Neumann's charge, were soon
to sustain. When Wenceslaus heard from his reverend
brother the design he was about to execute for the
greater glory of God and the sanctification of his own
soul, he exclaimed with vivacity, " I will go, too. I
will follow you; I will enter the convent with you."

Father Neumann, we may well believe, was by no
means averse to his brother's resolve ; he accordingly

22O Life of Bishop Neumann.

petitioned for his entrance, also, among the Redemp-
torist Fathers, intending Wenceslaus to prepare him
self in the Congregation for the holy priesthood. His
request was unhesitatingly granted ; but Wenceslaus,
not feeling himself called to so high a vocation, chose
rather to serve God as an humble lay-brother.

The grief of Father Neumann's parishioners at the
loss of their good pastor was sincere and general.
They felt that in losing him they had been deprived of
a faithful father, friend, and guide. Father Pax wrote
to the Bishop in the following strain: "It is my most
painful duty to be obliged to inform your Lordship that
my neighbor, good Father Neumann, left us a few days
ago for Pittsburg with the intention of entering the
Redemptorist novitiate. He was a most excellent
pastor ; the German missions have sustained a great
loss. Father Neumann's charge extended over a
wide and scattered district. It numbers three hun
dred German Catholic families with four churches, the
fifth not yet completed. I beg your Lordship to pro
vide these abandoned congregations with a good pas
tor."

The writer of the above had the consolation of ex
tending hospitality to Father Neumann during the four
days the latter spent in Buffalo prior to his final depart
ure for Pittsburg. These were days of mutual satisfac
tion for both those noble souls, who regarded each other
with an affection solid and lasting because founded in
the unchangeable God. At 8 P.M. on the i3th of
October, Father Pax bade a regretful adieu to his
young friend, who embarked on a small steamer bound
for Erie. The boat was crowded far beyond its capa
city, nearly four hundred passengers being on board.
Father Neumann could scarcely find standing-room,
and right glad was he to land the next morning at the
little town of Erie. A tedious journey of four more
days took him to Pittsburg, his final destination, where,

Father Neumanns Vocation. 221

tired and exhausted, he sought admittance at the Re-
demptorist convent, October i8> 1840.

A hearty welcome was here extended to him by Rev.
Father Tschenhens, then Superior. As it was Sunday
morning, the good Father requested the new novice to
sing High Mass. Though worn out by fatigue, the
latter made not the slightest objection, but proceeded
at once to obey the commands of holy obedience.
Service for the German Catholics was held at that time
in an old factory which went by the name of the " Fac
tory Church."

Wenceslaus, whom Father Neumann had left behind
to gather up his effects scattered in his different mis
sions, arrived on November i3th, and began with his
reverend brother a life to be thenceforward more than
ever devoted to the service of Almighty God.

PART III.

FATHER JOHN N/ NEUMANN A REDEMP-
TORIST.

1840-1852.

CHAPTER I.
The Redemptorists in America.

WE shall now, for the next twelve years, contem
plate Father Neumann in his new character of
Redemptorist; we shall follow him in his numerous and
laborious missions as a son of St. Alphonsus. To form
a correct idea of his life, it will not be superfluous to
cast a glance at the early history of the Congregation
of the Most Holy Redeemer in America, since they are
so closely interwoven one with the other.

About the year 1827 -or. -'-29-, Father Frederick Reze,
Vicar-G.-neral.of the diocese of Cincinnati, made a trip
to Europe for the purpose of procuring priests and con
tributions for the American missions. Whilst in Vienna
he visited the Redemptorist Fathers at " Maria Stie-
gen." His glowing account of the immense fields in
America in which the harvest was great, the laborers
few, awoke in the heart of many a brave son of St.
Alphonsus the desire to establish there the Congrega
tion of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Venerable Clement Maria Hofbauer, that great ser-

4>*

The Redemptorists in America. 223

vant of God who had been chiefly instrumental in pro
curing a colony of Redemptorists for Germany, used
often to speak with enthusiasm of the possibility of
establishing his brethren in those broad transatlantic
domains. This idea had taken so firm a hold on his
mind that, after his expulsion from Vienna in 1819, he
resolved to go to America himself. To the inquiry of a
government official as to whither he intended to betake
himself, he responded, " To America" It is even said
that the venerable founder of the Congregation, St.
Alphonsus himself, walking one day along the Bay of
Naples, pointed out to his young students a ship bear
ing the words, " For New Orleans," and said, in a spirit
of prophecy, " My sons will one day have a house in
that place."

Very Rev. Father Passerat, Vicar-General of the
Transalpine Congregation, set to work seriously to fol
low out the idea to which Father Reze had given birth.
In the spring of 1832 he despatched three Fathers and
as many lay-brothers to form the nucleus of a Redemp-
torist foundation in America. The three Fathers were
Rev. Simon Sanderl, Rev. Francis Xavier Hatscher, and
Rev. Francis Xavier Tschenhens ; the lay-brothers were
Aloysius Schuh, Jacob Kohler, and Wenceslaus Witapil. •

The little colony arrived in New York on the 2oth of
June, and on the following day, the Feast of Corpus
Christi, the Fathers celebrated their first Mass on Amer
ican shores.

After a short stay in New York, they went on to their
destination, Cincinnati, where they were most cordially
welcomed by their old friend, Father Reze; the Bishop,.
Right Rev. Edward Fenwick,(being absent at the time
on his pastoral visitation. The diocese of Cincinnati
embraced at this epoch an immense tract of country:
the whole State of Ohio, the Territory of Michigan, and
the eastern part of Wisconsin Territory. It was not
hard to supply the newly-arrived Fathers with posts

224 Life of Bishop Neumann.

entailing a vast amount of missionary labor, which the
Vicar-General did provisionally until the Bishop's re
turn. Father Hlitscher was despatched to Norwalk,
Tiffin, and other small towns of northern Ohio, with'
directions to form the Catholics of those places into
parishes; Father Sanderl and two lay-brothers were *
sent to Green Bay, on the northwest shore of Lake
Michigan; whilst Father Tschenhens and Brother Jacob
remained in Cincinnati, the former in quality of assist
ant priest to the Germans, the latter as cook and
servant to the Bishop and priests. Soon, however, a
serious obstacle arose to the establishment of the Con
gregation in America. The Bishops required that the
Fathers should devote themselves to the religious wants
of the Catholics scattered throughout their vast dioce
ses, a special district being assigned to each. However
reasonable such a desire might seem in view of the
state of the Church at that period, it could not be un
conditionally complied with. The rules of the Congre
gation of the Most Holy Redeemer require absolutely
that its members should lead the community life; and
so strict was St. Alphonsus on this point that he seldom
allowed any Father to reside out of his convent for an
indefinite period. The Superiors in Vienna believed it
their duty strenuously to uphold this point of the rule,
claiming that, if the Redemptorists would work success
fully for the salvation of souls, they must live in accord
ance with their vocation. This circumstance explains
why the activity of the Redemptorist Fathers was,
during their first years in America, necessarily and in
many ways held in check.

Father Sanderl found a small log-church at Green
Bay. He hired a neighboring house in which to open
the first Redemptorist convent in the New World.
Father Hatscher, who, as we have seen, had been or
dered to the northern districts of Ohio, was now recalled
by the voice of obedience, and sent to join the little

The Redemptorists in America. 225

colony at Green Bay. He set out immediately, but on
reaching Detroit, where the cholera was raging, he
found the Bishop occupied with the spiritual wants of
the sick and dying. The saintly prelate was over
whelmed with work and far from equal to the task of
caring for the many stricken down by the epidemic.
He rejoiced, therefore, on seeing Father Hatscher, whom
he regarded as sent by God to his distressed flock.
Gladly acceding to the Bishop's request, Father Hat
scher tarried in Detroit to aid in administering the
Sacraments to the sick. Night and day saw him actively
engaged in these heavenly ministrations. He left De
troit only after the epidemic had subsided, and con
tinued his journey across the lake^to Green Bay. The
good Bishop Fenwick himself fell a victim to his zeal.
He was attacked by the cholera at Canton, but started,
nevertheless, to return to Cincinnati, intending to visit
several congregations on the way; but the malady in
creased to such a degree that, on arriving at Wooster,
he was compelled to retire to bed. He expired the next
day, September 26, 1832, without those religious rites
and consolations which he himself had so often ad
ministered to others. He fought the good fight, he
finished his course, he kept the faith.

Meantime, Father Tschenhens had left Cincinnati to
join his brethren at Green Bay; but on his way he was
detained at Norwalk and Tiffin. The spiritual destitu
tion of the poor Catholics aroused his compassion, for
since the departure of Father Hatscher they had not
seen a Catholic priest. The cholera was raging here
also, and many were daily succumbing to its attacks;
therefore Father Tschenhens resolved to remain in
those localities whilst he could be of any assistance to
souls.

The little colony at Green Bay had by this time dis
covered that their attempt to establish a convent in that
district was altogether impracticable, and so the idea

226 Life of Bishop Neumann.

was abandoned. One priest would be quite sufficient
for the wants of the small Catholic population; conse
quently a religious community, even if able to procure
the necessaries of life, would be superfluous in such a
place.

When Father Tschenhens was informed of this de
cision, he took up his abode for the time at Norwalk,
built St. Alphonsus' Church, and visited the Catholics of
the surrounding country, embracing a circuit of thirty
or forty miles. Fathers Sanderl and Hatscher opened
a mission for the Indian tribes of northern Michigan,
and, from Green Bay and Arbre-Croche, extended their
apostolic influence far and near. Their labors among
the Indians were successful to a degree, though they
effected little among the whites, who numbered few, and
those few chiefly Protestants or indifferent Catholics.

The following brief yet striking lines we clip from
the "Chronicles" which record the various trials and
circumstances attendant on the efforts of the Redemp-
torist Fathers in their early American foundations:
"Which of the Fathers suffered most, or which endured
the greatest inconveniences, it would be difficult to say.
The last day, the great Day of Judgment, will reveal
many facts to their eternal honor and glory."

The lay-brothers, no less than the Fathers, were now
in a position to try their fidelity. Necessity forced them
to gain their own livelihood, and contribute likewise to
the support of the Fathers whose clerical duties would
not admit of their following secular avocations. Some
of these good Brothers, sighing for the quiet and seclu
sion they had left behind them, became dissatisfied and
returned to Europe. Divine Providence, however, pro
vided for the emergency. Other young men felt within
them a call to the religious life, and applied to the con
gregation for admission as lay-brothers. Among them
we shall make mention of one who, without doubt, is
now in the enjoyment of the crown promised to per-

The Redemptorists in America. 227

severance. We allude to Brother Joseph Reisach. He
arrived in New York, January 8, 1833, in company with the
well-known and highly distinguished Father Raffeiner,
both having come to America intending to join the Re
demptorists. They had, in fact, already been received
in Vienna as candidates for the American missions. The
German Catholics of New York were at that time, as
was the case in so many other parts of the United
States, totally deprived of spiritual assistance, having
no priest to attend to their wants. Father Raffeiner
thought it his duty to devote to them his time and
strength for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
His companion, however, could not be dissuaded from
his first purpose. He pursued his journey westward
and, after undergoing many hardships and surmounting
numerous obstacles, reached Green Bay, July 14, 1833.

In 1834 Father Sanderl removed to Arbre-Croche,
taking with him two candidates, Brother Joseph (men
tioned above) and Brother Vitus. During the Lent of
1835 it so happened that the altar-wine gave out. The
Fathers were in some perplexity as to how the want
could be supplied, when the two Brothers stepped for
ward and offered to undertake a journey beset with
peril, in order to procure what was wanted. Their road
led across the lake, which was still frozen. A sled was
speedily constructed, a compass and materials for light
ing a fire provided, and thus equipped the two Brothers
set out briskly for the lake. The journey of the first
day was a painful one. They kept along the shore, and
only with the greatest exertions could they proceed;
soon they found it absolutely necessary to abandon their
sled, on account of the snow-drifts in their way.
Hunger and thirst, also, began to make themselves felt,
and, as our two travellers had neglected to provide
themselves with fresh water, they were compelled to
slake their thirst with snow. When night came on, they
sought the shore, hoping to fall in with some friendly

228 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Indians; but they found only an abandoned wigwam, of
which a huge buffalo claimed prior possession. There
was, however, plenty of room for them too; so, after
kindling a fire and preparing some tea, for which pur-
'pose they again had to substitute snow for water, they
threw themselves on the ground to rest. But in vain
did they try to sleep. The intense cold and the howling
of wolves precluded all ideas of repose.

Next morning at daybreak, they recommenced their
journey, seventeen miles of frozen lake between them
and the opposite shore. On they plodded, and, with
God's assistance, reached Mackinaw in safety, where
the pastor, Father Bbndnell, extended to them the hospi
tality of his own residence. The glare of the sun on
the ice had so affected the poor Brothers' sight that next
day they could hardly see. But this did not prevent
their rising betimes, for they had much business to
transact and a long homeward journey before them.
After making their purchases and executing the several
commissions entrusted to them, they took leave of their
reverend host to retrace their steps of the previous day.
Both were heavily laden, Brother Joseph having three
gallons of wine strapped on his back. And now, in
real earnest, began the difficulties of their undertaking.
They had scarcely proceeded five miles, when they
found themselves exposed to a new and unforeseen
danger from the sudden thawing of the ice. To their
horror, they perceived that, despite their precautions,
they were both standing on a block of floating ice which
had broken away from the main mass. In their alarm,
they turned to Mary, confidently invoking the aid of her
who is never invoked in vain, when suddenly the floe
approached the solid mass, ran a short distance under
it, and there stuck fast. Our travellers were thus en
abled to step from one to the other without, so much as
wetting their feet. For greater precaution, they now
resolved to separate and keep some distance apart, in

The Redemptorists in America. 229

order to lessen the pressure. They had gone only a few
yards in this manner, when Brother Vitus, who was in
front, heard a cry of distress behind him. He turned
quickly in the direction whence the sound proceeded,
but all he could see of Brother Joseph was his hat just
above the ice. He rushed to the spot, when crack went
the ice on which he himself stood, and down he, too,
splashed into the water. Several times, by clutching
the edge, they succeeded in swinging themselves out on
the ice, which each time again gave way and precipi
tated them once more into the water. Exhausted by
their efforts, benumbed with cold, and poor Brother
Joseph weighed down by his wine-keg, they were upon
the point of abandoning themselves to what seemed
to be their fate, when they turned again to Mary,
the "Help of Christians." " O my Mother," cried
Brother Joseph, " tliou knowest that I have always
loved thee, that I have made many sacrifices for thy
sake ! The time has now come for thee to help me.
But do so quickly, else it will be too late." Here he
turned toward his companion, as if to take a last leave
of him, when the latter cried out in a hopeful voice:
"Brother, hold on just a few minutes longer. When I
shall have rid myself of this load, I shall be able to get
out and help you." And so it happened. With re
newed hope and wonderfully increased vigor, Brother
Vitus struggled to the surface of the ice and hastened
to his companion in distress. The latter, rousing his
drooping courage and confiding in the help of his
Heavenly Mother, moved slowly and painfully over to
the spot where Brother Vitus waited to lend him assist
ance. His limbs were stiff with cold and scarcely
could he grasp the edge of the ice with the tips of his
frozen fingers. Little by little, calling upon God and
His Blessed Mother, he moved along through the water
until, at last, he reached the place where Brother Vitus
stood and, with his assistance, succeeded in gaining a

230 Life of Bishop Neumann.

solid footing. The first impulse of both was to kneel
in grateful homage to Almighty God and their loving
protectress Mary. Then rising they proceeded on their
way. They had not yet accomplished one third of their
perilous journey, their garments clung like icicles to their
benumbed limbs, and the day was fast waning. How
the night of this eventful day was passed, the chronicler
does not tell us; but next morning we find them once
more on their march, each provided with a long pole
with which to test the strength of the ice before setting
foot upon it. In this way, slowly and cautiously moving
forward, they reached at length the opposite shore,
where they were met by some Indians who were on the
lookout for them with horses. To counteract the bad
effects of their long exposure in the water and prevent
serious consequences, these rude children of the forest
prescribed what seemed to their civilized neighbors a
novel if not a hazardous remedy, viz., that the two way
farers should stretch themselves in a running stream
and allow the icy water to ftow over their limbs. This,
the Indians said, would takeAthe frost out.- The Brothers
followed the advice, and actually experienced beneficial
results.

The hardships attendant on the first foundations of
the Redemptorists in America were generously shared
by Brother Aloysius Schuh, of Baden, who in many ways
rendered signal service both to the Fathers and the souls
under their care. He taught the children in the school
room; gave catechetical instructions to the people dur
ing the Fathers' absence; read to them Goffine's Instruc
tions on the Gospels; made with them the Stations of
the Cross, and recited aloud the Rosary. His powerful
voice did good service at Mass and Vespers during the
absence of a choir; he was always on hand and served
the Fathers with untiring fidelity, cheering and encour
aging them in their labors by his own unvarying joyous-
ness and affability of disposition. He it was who took

*^~~

The Redemptorists in America. 231

charge of their frugal meals; and, a blacksmith by trade,
he knew how to manufacture useful articles for the In
dians, who gave him in exchange venison, fish, or maple-
sugar. Brother Aloysius had been long familiar with
the secret which unites prayer with labor. Many a time
were the Fathers edified by hearing him singing hymns
or saying the Rosary whilst discharging his duties in the
kitchen or elsewhere. But let us not think that his was
an existence all glowing with sunshine and spiritual joy.
By no means. It was under the pressure of grievous
temptations and interior trials that our good Brother
Aloysius won the crown of perseverance in his holy voca
tion.

The i5th of August brought an addition to the little
American colony in the persons of Fathers Joseph Prost
and Peter Czackert, the former of whom came as Visitor
and remained as Superior. On his way to Norwalk,
Father Prost passed through Rochester, where he was
hospitably received by Father Bernard O'Reilly, who en
treated him to take compassion on the German Catho
lics of that place, already very numerous, and give them
a little mission during which they might have a chance
of going to confession. Father Prost, ever eager to
assist souls, cheerfully complied. When the task as
signed him by Divine Providence was completed, Father
Prost saw himself besieged on all sides by his grateful
countrymen, who promised to build him a church and
provide for his support if he would only stay and be
their pastor.

And so began the Redemptorist mission-house and St.
Joseph's congregation, Rochester. Father Prost satis
fied the demands made upon him by promising to return
as soon as he had consulted his brethren, whom he was
even then on his way to join at Norwalk, Ohio. He
then departed full of consolation at having been chosen
by the Master to fulfil this by-work, as we may call it,
in his missionary career.

•

232 Life of Bishop Neumann.

On reaching his destination, the first whom he met at
the residence of the Fathers was Brother Aloysius who, C
in a linen coat, was just emerging from the stable, where
he had been feeding its only occupant, the cow. Let us
hear Father Frost's own account of his first impressions
at Norwalk: "I was prepared, indeed, to find things on
a poor scale, but the reality far surpassed the picture of
my imagination. In the church, rough logs of wood took
the place of pews. The Fathers' residence was a wretched
log-cabin containing only one large room, which was
divided off into sleeping compartments. The Brothers
slept in the garret, the flooring of which consisted of
single planks laid side by side over the rafters. One
had to be careful in stepping from one to the other. If
Brother Aloysius had happened to fall out of bed some
night, he would have pursued his downward career to the
lower story, though not, thank God! to the lower regions."

Bishop Reze, of Detroit, made a special visit to Nor
walk, to engage the Redemptorists to make a foundation ^
in his diocese. His offer was accepted, and Father San-
derl returned with the prelate.

When Father Prost was informed of the Bishop's offer
and its acceptance, he hastily transacted the business on
hand, and hurried off to Detroit, hoping to find Father
Sanderl there. He was not disappointed, as the Father
had not yet left the city. After discussing the subject of
the projected foundation, they embarked on a sailing-
vessel for Green Bay. A storm soon arose which drove
the vessel on the foot of a cliff, where it lay embedded in
the mud. Before it could be got off, cold weather set in
as the captain had predicted, the lake froze, and next
morning the ship was ice-bound. There were on board
some fanatical Protestants who now began to curse and
swear, ascribing their misfortune to the presence of the
two priests.

" Put them off, put them off !" they cried. " Put them
off on the ice and leave them there."

The Redemptorists in America. 233

The captain stood irresolute as to how he should meet
these furious demands, when, at last, cowardice pre
vailed. He was on the point of yielding to the dia
bolical suggestion, — the sailors, in fact, were about seizing
the Fathers, — when a young physician interfered and
vigorously opposed the execution of so barbarous a de
sign. He warmly defended the Fathers, upbraided the
crew with inhumanity, the captain with injustice and
dereliction of duty, and threatened, if they dared lay
hands on the two priests, to have them all arrested. The
courageous and energetic defence of the young physician
overawed the cowardly aggressors, and the Fathers
escaped molestation. After two weeks of hard labor
amid ever-present dangers, the sailors succeeded in
bringing their vessel to within a short distance of Green
Bay, but they could not enter the harbor, which was
frozen up. The vessel had to be abandoned for the
season, and the passengers completed the rest of their
journey on foot.

And now let us follow Fathers Prost and Sanderl as
they make their way to the locality destined for them by
the good Bishop. Surely we shall share their dismay
when we find ourselves in the abode offered them for their
future convent — a large frame building whose whole in
terior remained unfinished. To render it even partially
habitable would entail great expense; consequently
Father Prost determined to leave Green Bay as soon as
travelling became practicable and, with God's assistance,
seek a foundation elsewhere. A new cross was in store
for the good Father. Some time before his departure,
he received news that his baggage, which he had left in
New York and which could not be forwarded during the
winter months, had been destroyed by fire. This was,
as we may suppose, something of a loss to one already
struggling with poverty both professed and necessitous;
but a loving Fiat or a Deo Gratias sets all things right.

Almighty God satisfied, as it were, with the good-will

234 Life of Bishop Neumann.

evinced by His servants, now opened up a way by which
some permanent advantage was to accrue to them.
Father Prost received a letter from Bishop Dubois, about
this time, inviting him to go to Rochester and there take
charge of the German Catholics. This was the most en
couraging offer he had as yet received in America; for
Rochester would be a far more eligible location for a
house of the Congregation than Norwalk, and Green
Bay was altogether out of the question. The Bishop's
invitation was accepted at once, and Father Prost set
out for his new scene of labor. When passing through
Detroit, he was pressed by Bishop Reze to remain in the
diocese; but, as the prospect of establishing a house
there at that period was very gloomy, Father Prost was
forced to decline. He reached Rochester on Sunday,
July 10, 1836, and great was the jubilation of those who
had been the objects of the zealous Father's former
ministrations there. Here he found Father Neumann,
who, as we have already mentioned, had that very day
celebrated divine service for his (Father Prost's) future
parishioners.

With the approbation of Father Bernard O'Reilly, the
German congregation had purchased a Methodist meet
ing-house to be used for religious purposes, and the ad
ministration of its affairs was confided to trustees. The
building was large, the upper part affording ample space
for divine service; consequently Father Prost fitted up
the basement to be used as a school and as a temporary
dwelling for the pastor. From that time the German
portion of the Catholics had regular attendance, and the
various ceremonies of our holy religion were conducted
with as much solemnity as possible. The schedule for
Sundays and holy-days was as follows: first, an early
Mass; at half-past ten, High Mass and sermon; at three
in the afternoon, Vespers, Catechetical Instructions,
and Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament. To
awaken and increase in the hearts of the faithful a lov-

The Redemptorists in America. 235

ing devotion to the Blessed Mother of God, Father Prost
established the Archconfraternity of Mt. Carmel, and
introduced, both in the church and in families, the custom
of saying the Rosary in common. His zeal extended to
the school, and, until a suitable teacher could be pro
cured, Brother Louis Ken ning^fi lied that post. He had
but lately been admitted as a candidate to the Congre
gation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and shortly after
to the holy habit. He was the first novice received in
America, and was ever distinguished as a devoted lay-
brother. He was sent to New Orleans, where he ren
dered invaluable service from the establishment of the ^
house, in. 1847, till his saintly death, in 1875.

The Bishop, the clergy, and the laity witnessed with
satisfaction the progress made by St. Joseph's congrega
tion, and unanimously congratulated Father Prost on
the success of his efforts. But Satan, the opponent of
all that is good, the adversary of Jesus Christ, could not
endure so happy a beginning for the Redemptorist
Fathers. He foresaw that their labors in America would
bring forth a rich harvest of souls, would be attended
by magnificent results; consequently, an enemy of peace
and harmony himself, he began to sow discord and
create disturbance among the people. For this end, he
made use of the trustees, who seemed determined to do
all in their power to counteract their pastor's zealous
exertions. They frustrated every attempt at establishing
a church and convent to be entrusted to the Fathers for
the benefit of the parish. Father Prost, unwilling to face
the storm, resolved to leave Rochester for a time, hoping
to return under more favorable circumstances. In the
spring of 1838 he arrived at Norwalk. He immediately
held a consultation with his brethren as to the best
place for a foundation of their Congregation. The
Fathers all seemed inclined toward Norwalk itself, and
Father Prost was seriously thinking of the same.

The 'fall of 1837 had witnessed Father Hatscher's

236 Life of Bishop Neumann.

return to Vienna. He had labored and suffered much
during his four years' apostolic campaign in northern
Michigan. To the Indians and the Canadian French
he had been a true father. The Protestants regarded
him with ill-will; indeed, their enmity manifested itself
in a most practical form, as they once set fire to his
church and even threatened his life. He was a true-
hearted apostle of his Lord, and he is still known in
Mackinaw, Green Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie as " le bon
Pere Frangois."

In this same year, 1838, in which we find Father Prost
consulting on the expediency of a foundation in Nor-
walk, an unforeseen event led to the abandonment of such
a design. An order arrived from Vienna directing the
Fathers to send some of their force to Illinois, where an
Alsatian " Land Company" had purchased a large tract
for a Catholic settlement. The Redemptorists were
offered here one hundred acres of land for a convent, a
church, and a school. The order was promptly obeyed,
and Father Czackert set out for the locality designated.
On his arrival, however, he found that the company, in
order to attract colonists and sell their land to advan
tage, had set the rumor afloat that there were already in
the new settlement a church and a school-house under the
charge of the clergy. But what could the Fathers do with
a hundred acres of land in those western wilds ? To live
in such isolation would have been simply impossible, and
much less could they follow out the ends of their holy
vocation; so the four missionaries again separated to dis
perse in various districts of Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan.
Their labors in these places were not brightened by the
faintest shadow of a hope that one day, sooner or later,
they would be able to establish a house in any of them.
Indeed, both Fathers and Brothers were seriously con
templating a return to Europe when the Vicar-General
of the Congregation wrote to console and encourage
them to perseverance. He exhorted them to patience,

The Redemptorists in America. 237

repeating the assurance he had given them in the year
1836, which was to this effect: that the same year which
would behold the canonization of the founder of the Con
gregation, Blessed Alphonsus Maria di Liguori, would
also see the foundation of the first Redemptorist convent
in America.

Father Passerat was a man, of grayer. A disciple of
the venerable servant of God,"xClement Marie Hofbauer,
whom he regarded as his model, he had learned how to
practise the prayer of contemplation, in which he was
divinely enlightened by God. A child of the Blessed
Virgin and her chaste spouse St. Joseph, Father Pas
serat usually chose their exalted virtues as the sub
ject of his meditation, which practice attracted upon
him the choicest lights and graces. As a proof of this,
and that not among the least, is the prediction above
alluded to, the precise time of the establishment of the
Redemptorists in the United States. The year 1839
had taken its place upon the calendar, and in the Old
World the month of May was to usher in the solemn
canonization of the Blessed Alphonsus; whilst in the
New World the prospects of a permanent settlement for
his sons seemed as distant and as uncertain as on the
dav which witnessed their advent to its shores.

238 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER II.

St. Philomena's Church, Pittsburg; and St. Al-
phonsus', Baltimore.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE had wisely ordained that
the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
should owe its existence in America to Him alone.
Man proposes, but God disposes; and the greater the dis
tress and discouragement of His servants, the nearer is
God with His powerful aid.

A good honest farmer named Adelmann, of Butler
County,Anear Pittsburg, went to Norwalk, Ohio, in 1839,
on a visit to his relatives. He witnessed with edifica
tion the fruits born of the Redemptorists' labors in that
place, and earnestly besought Father Prost to send
spiritual assistance to the four or five thousand German
Catholics of Pittsburg, who had no clergyman to attend
to their spiritual wants. Mr. Adelmann entreated Fa
ther Prost to go and see for himself the truth of his
words and the religious destitution of those for whom
he pleaded. Father Prost both admired and praised the
good man's zeal, but explained to him, at the same time,
that only an invitation from the Bishop could authorize
the Fathers' establishing themselves in any diocese.
This last remark was not lost on the good farmer.
Three weeks had scarcely elapsed, when Father Prost
received/aa Jitter from Right Rev. Francis Patrick Ken-
rick, of Philadelphia, to which 'diocese Pittsburg then
belonged, requesting him to take an interest in the Ger
man Catholics of Pittsburg, and appointing St. Patrick's
Church as their place of meeting for divine service. In
all this, Father Prost saw the finger of Almighty God.

St. Philomenas Church, Pittsburg. 239

He handed the Norwalk mission over to Father Tschen-.
hens, and on the following Sunday, the first after Easter,
set out for his new destination. The second Sunday
after Easter saw regular service inaugurated for the
German Catholics of Pittsburg. V

Father Prost found before him no easy task, as the
condition of his new parish was anything but satisfac-
tory. Rev. Father Charles B; 'M'Guire^a most learned
and exemplary ecclesiastic, had been from 1820 to '25
the only priest of the city and country around. He
-built St. Patrick's, a small edifice, and attended to the
spiritual wants of the whole Catholic community until,
shortly before his death, two assistant priests shared
with him his onerous burden. A word here of this gen
erous apostle of Christ may not be deemed amiss. We
cull from Rev. A. A. Lambing's "Catholic Church in
Pittsburg and Allegheny," "and give, in a somewhat
abbreviated form, the following account of Rev. Charles
Bonaventure M'GuireJ^O.S.F. " He made the Church in
Pittsburg what it is," said one who knew him. Born in
Ireland and educated at Louvain, he exercised the duties
of his sacred ministry in various parts of the Nether
lands and Germany. During this period he acquired a
remarkable knowledge of the German language. He
escaped from Louvain during the French Revolution,
and made his way to Rome, where he spent six years in
the performance of clerical duties. He afterward trav
elled over the Continent of Europe, reached Brussels just
at the time of the memorable battle of Waterloo, and to
many of the wounded and dying administered the last
rites of the Church. Shortly after he set out for Amer
ica, and reached our shores in safety, 1817. He was
stationed in Westmoreland County until transferred to
Pittsburg. With his appearance a new era commenced
for the entire Catholic body. Religion found in him an
expositor worthy of herself, and the Catholic body
gradually assumed and thenceforth maintained a dignity

240 Life of Bishop Neumann.

and respectability in the opinion of dissenting Christians
not allowed them prior to his coming. As a man, as a
priest, as a scholar, none knew Father Charles M'Guire
but to respect and love him.

One of the two priests mentioned above as Father
M'Guire's assistants was Rev. Father , Masquelezr, an
Alsatian by birth. He manifested unbounded interest
in the spiritual welfare of the German portion of his
flock, and by his direction a factory belonging to a Mr.
Jacob Schneider was rented. Ik-re they assembled for
divine worship. But, party-spirit crept even into this
humble community /and created confusion. Fathers

' v^l**Ji4ci t '^fttl'f L JkXL

Masquelez, ;Stahl,^vJBaier,'''Herzog, and a Benedictine,
named Father Nicholas Balleis, vainly endeavored to
restore harmony. Fathers Herzog and Balleis even sep
arated the factious parties in the hope of removing the
causes of discord, and formed two parishes, one of
which attended service in what was denominated the
" Factory Church," the other in St. Patrick's ; but even
this measure proved fruitless. Conciliatory means
seemed only to increase the feeling of bitterness and
widen the breach. Fathers I lerzog ancl Balleis/ seeing
all their efforts unsuccessful, left Pittsburg, and the
Germans were for some months deprived of the assist
ance of a pastor. It was at this juncture that Divine
Providence sent Father Prost to settle difficulties.

After acquainting himself with the existing state of
affairs,1*e set to work energetically to bring about peace.
He held public and private interviews, he reasoned, he
remonstrated, though apparently in vain ; the evil ap
peared irremediable, the antagonistic parties incorrigi
ble. When affairs seemed at their worst, Almighty God
interposed. He inspired Father Prost to address the
congregation on a certain Sunday afternoon, at the close
of Vespers, and recount the innumerable miracles every
where wrought through the intercession of the virgin-
martyr St. Philomena. He exhorted his hearers to choose

St. Philomenas Churc/i, Pittsburg. 241

her as their patroness and solemnly promise to dedicate
the " Factory Church" to her if she would obtain the
restoration of peace among them. On that very day
the contending parties moderated their demands, and
Father Prost was thus enabled to purchase the factory
for the sum of fifteen thousand dollars. The building
was large, and ample room was found in it for a church
and a small convent destined for the abode of the Re-
demptorist Fathers.

After procuring the furniture absolutely necessary
for, both, Father, ^Prost directed Fathers' .^schenhens
and tzackert to join him in Pittsburg. He had in the
mean time received from Most Rev. Father Ripoli, Rec
tor at Nocera di Pagani, extensive faculties for the gov
ernment of the Congregation of the Most Holy Re
deemer in America. He was thereby authorized to
establish mission-houses, receive novices, etc. The first
use Father Prost made of his power was to announce
the foundation at Pittsburg as the first house of the
Congregation in the New World.

In consequence of this definitive establishment of the
Redemptorists in Pittsburg, the missions of Ohio and
Michigan had to be abandoned, in the spring of 1839.
St. Joseph's parish, Rochester, had now been a whole
year without a pastor ; they would have been entirely
destitute of spiritual assistance, had not Father Neu
mann's zeal led him to go occasionally from North
Bush and hold service for them. He was greatly edified
on seeing how much good had been effected during the
short stay of the Redemptorist Fathers, and he could
find no terms in which to speak their praise.

At their own earnest request, Father Sanderl was
again called to Rochester, to take charge of the Ger
man Catholics, and it was hoped that a house of the
Congregation would soon be established there.

The prophecy of the saintly Father Passerat was now
fulfilled. The same year that witnessed the canoniza-

242 Life of Bishop Neumann.

tion of .Alphonsus di Liguori, Founder of the Congrega
tion of the Most Holy Redeemer, beheld also the
foundation of the first Redemptorist house in America.
After seven years' rude experience and payifuj uncer
tainty, three Fathers, with Brothers Aloysius and Louis,/^
were at last enabled to enter upon the conventual life
according to the rules and constitutions of their Con
gregation.

One year later, in May, 1840, Father Prost received
an invitation to the Fourth Provincial Council of the
Bishops of North America, to be held in Baltimore.
The invitation was accepted, and during his stay in Bal
timore Father Prost was the guest of Rev. Benedict
Bayer, of St. John's German church. He received much
encouragement from the assembled prelates, who, in the
kindest manner, expressed their appreciation of the
zeal that animated the Redemptorists for the salvation
of souls. The Council over, Father Prost returned to
Pittsburg.

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, after
its innumerable trials and vicissitudes, was at length
fairly established, its prospects bright and promising
for the future. Father Prost had now held the office of
Superior for five years. He thought it his duty to re
turn to Vienna, both to render an account of his admin
istration to his Superior, l.Rev. Father Passerat, the
Vicar-General, and to obtain further help and instruc
tions for the American missions. He intended to take
Brother Aloysius with him as his companion. But un
foreseen difficulties sprung up to counteract his design.
Bishop Kenrick not only refused him the letter of re
commendation for which he applied, but endeavored to
dissuade him altogether from undertaking the journey.
All things could be arranged by letter, said the Bishop.
The truth was, Bishop Kenrick feared that the progress
which the Congregation was now making would receive
another check. His decision was very painful to Father

St. Philomenas Church, Pittsburg. 243

Prost, who looked upon an interview with his Superior
concerning the affairs of the Congregation in America
as necessary. He therefore applied to Archbishop
Eccleston, of Baltimore, for the letter of approbation,
the kind reception tendered him on the occasion of the
Provincial Council encouraging him to hope for success
in that quarter. The Archbishop expressed his willing
ness to furnish the desired document, on condition of
Father Prost's going to Baltimore and having an inter
view with him on the matter.

Toward the close of July, 1840, Father Prost, accom
panied by Brother Aloysius, arrived in the archiepisco-
pal city, all necessary preparations for his trip across
the ocean having been previously made. But here a
fresh obstacle awaited him. The Archbishop laid be
fore him his intention of transferring the Germans of
St. John's, Baltimore, to the Redemptorists, strenuously
urging upon him the acceptance of the charge. How
ever welcome such an offer might be to Father Prost at
any other time, it could not but be a subject of embar
rassment at the present moment. The thought of de
ferring his journey was an unpleasant one ; yet consid
eration for the Archbishop's wishes forced him to change
his plans.

It was arranged that Brother Aloysius should accom
pany Father Bayer, who was about to sail for Europe
and make an oral report at Vienna of the state of affairs
in America. Father Prost accepted the church and
parish offered by Archbishop Eccleston, for which the
latter expressed himself most grateful, ever after evinc
ing the highest confidence in the Redemptorist Fathers.
Later on, he transferred to them St. James's Church, his
own personal property. '

Early in August, Father Bayer and Brother Aloysius
departed for Europe. During the same month, Father
Prost took possession of St. John's Church, which then
occupied the site on which was afterward erected the

244 Life of Bishop Neumann.

beautiful Gothic church of St. Alphonsus. A few
words upon the early history of the first German church
in Baltimore will, perhaps, prove interesting to the
reader.

In 1800, Baltimore could boast only one Catholic
church, St. Peter's, on the northeast corner of Sharp
and Saratoga streets. Thex,college of the Christian
Brothers *K>W 'stands on the site, and is- known as Cal-
vert Hall. The church alluded to was built during the
Revolutionary War, under the protection of the French
troops, then the allies of the Americans. Small in the
beginning, it was afterward enlarged and raised to the
rank of the first metropolitan church in the United
States. The constantly increasing number of Catholics
soon necessitated the erection of another church, and it
was determined to have one exclusively for the use of
the Germans, as they would thus be enabled to hear ser
mons in their own language.

With this view, the German Catholics purchased a
lot, 60 by 155 feet, on the northeast corner of Saratoga.and
Park streets, where they built St. John's Church. Con
trary to the will of Archbishop Carroll, the congrega
tion had obtained from the municipal authorities a
charter of incorporation. This was a serious step in
those days, as the result soon proved; for from that
time, in fact — that is, from 180^ until 183^, when the
Redemptorists took charge of the church — quarrels
were frequent, and acts of violence were perpetrated
even in the sacred precincts. A legal decision at last
ended the strife. The clergy who ministered to the
congregation of St. John's w^re^ the following: Rev.
Brosius, 1804-1805; Rev. t#Keut^r,)(i8o6; Rev. Nicholas
Mi-rz, December 1 6,^1 8o5-May, 1820; Rev. Peter Babad,
1820; Rev. R Beschter, S.J., 1828; Rev. Francis Roljtf
and Rev. Louis Barth, 1828; Rev. M. P. Gallagher, 1838;
and, lastly, Rev. Benedict Bayer.

The last-named reverend gentleman undertook to

St. Philomenas Church, Pittsburg. 245

remove the source of all party-spirit, viz., the trustee
system. His proposal to build a new church on a larger
scale gave great offence to many members of the con
gregation, and disunion and dissatisfaction reigned
supreme among them. Their worthy pastor, Father
Bayer, conceived the idea of handing the church over
to the Redemptorists, and Archbishop Eccleston ap
proved the plan as the best and most efficacious remedy
to the long-existing evil. One year later, Father
Bayer himself joined the Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer, in which he died,, after a faithful fulfilment
of his religious obligations. It was at this critical
juncture that Father Prost entered upon the pastoral
charge of St. John's — no easy task before him, as experi
ence soon proved. But Divine Providence had a great
consolation in store to sweeten the bitterness of his
chalice, and that was the reception of Father Neumann
to the ranks of the rising Congregation. The first time
they met in Rochester, Father Prost was favorably im
pressed by the young missionary's saintly deportment,
and conceived for him so great esteem that his petition
for admittance to the Congregation was granted with
out question or difficulty.

Vl^M

/; -*>

246 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER III.

Father Neumann a Novice among the Redemp-

torists.

AFTER due reflection, Father Prost decided upon
Pittsburg as the scene of the novice-priest's year
of probation. Here he would be under the direction of
Father Tschenhens, whose piety and devotedness were
well known. But two weeks had scarcely elapsed when
the Novice-Master was called to Baltimore to be the as
sistant at St. John's, whose congregation had increased
so rapidly as to render the parochial duties too heavy for
one priest. Father Czackert was now the only Redemp-
torist in Pittsburg; and as he was almost always absent
on country missions, the poor novice, Father Neumann,
had to be parish-priest, his own Superior, and his own
Novice-Master at one and the same time. The
Redemptorist Congregation and the training of new
subjects had, during these first years of its existence, to
depend wholly upon a kind and merciful Providence.
On^ftovember 29, 1840, Father Prost went to Pittsburg
for the purpose of investing Father Neumann with the
religious habit. The ceremony took place in the church
after High Mass, on the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle,
and was conducted with the utmost solemnity. Very
poor was the young colony at this time. It possessed
not even a Ceremonial containing the prescribed
formula for the occasion, the questions and answers, the
prayers and psalms for the clothing. The celebrant,
Father Prost, had to trust to his memory in performing
the sublime ceremony.

Father Neumann thus speaks in his journal concern
ing his novitiate: "There was no novitiate in America

Father Neumann a Novice. 247

at that time, and no Novice- Master, but an over
whelming amount of work to be despatched. I daily
made two meditations and two examens of conscience
with the community, spiritual reading in private, and
a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. I recited the Rosary,
also, and that was all." But God's all-powerful grace,
with which Father Neumann fully and faithfully co
operated, supplied what was wanting. He well under
stood how to acquire the childlike, submissive spirit
expected of him as a novice, as also the peculiar spirit
of the Congregation and its saintly founder.

Shortly after his reception to the habit, Father Neu
mann was called upon, according to a custom generally
practised in the evening recreation of the Fathers, to
relate something edifying. He began in all simplicity
to recount a dream that he had had the previous night.
It appeared to him ttiat he was in Baltimore, where some
Bishop wished to seize nim and, nolens vokns, consecrate
him, raise him to the episcopal dignity; but the more
vigorously the Bishop tried to drag him to the church,
the more resolutely did the novice resist. In his
struggle to free himself from his assailant's grasp, he
awoke.

Father Czackert listened to the recital, and then, with
a view to humble the holy novice, he exclaimed, some
what contemptuously :

" What a silly dream ! You had better dismiss such
nonsense at once, and aim at your own perfection.
When you have made your vows, you will have very
different thoughts."

Meanwhile, Father Bayer, who had, as we remember,
gone to Vienna at Father Frost's request, was very suc
cessful in arranging matters for the Congregation in
America. At Vienna, Munich, Lyons, and Rome he
collected a considerable sum for the support of the mis
sionaries, and succeeded in obtaining from the Vicar-
General, Father Passerat, an additional force for the

248 Life of Bishop Neumann.

American mission. Brother Aloysius had the happiness
of returning to America with four Fathers and one
professed student. On March 7, 1841, the little com
pany landed in New York. They were Rev. Alexander
CzwitKowicz, the future Superior, and Fathers Gabriel
Rumpler, Mathias Alig, Louis Cartuyvels, and the stu
dent, Frater Joseph Fey. Fathers Alexander and Louis,
as they were familiarly termed, parted from the little
company in New York and thence proceeded to Balti
more, whilst the rest went on to Pittsburg.

In May, 1841, the novice-priest, Rev. Father Neu
mann, the student, Frater. Fey, and Brother Wenceslaus
were summoned to Baltimore. It was soon found that
the Fathers' small residence would not afford accommo
dations for so large an addition to the community, and,
after a few days, Father Neumann was sent to New
York to assist Father' fialleis. at St. Nicholas^ Church.
Scarcely two weeks had passed in the discharge of his
new duties, when the novice was summoned to Roches
ter, there to resume the exercises of the novitiate under
the direction of his old Novice-Master, Rev. Father
Tschenhens. Thither he repaired at the call of obedi
ence, but only to find his intended Novice-Master on the
point of starting for Norwalk, Ohio. A schism had
been created in that place, and Father Tschenhens was
ordered to set out at once and do all in his power to
counteract the evil. Again is the poor novice left to his
own guidance. For two months, as once before in
Pittsburg, he is Superior and pastor, Novice-Master and
novice, at one and the same time. The close of July
brought Fathers Prost and Sanderl to Rochester.

Father Pax, of Buffalo, falling ill about this time,
begged the Fathers to let him have his former friend
and neighbor, Father Neumann, to take his place. The
request was granted, and for six weeks the novice ren
dered service to his old friend at St. Louis' Church.

Thirty years later, Father Pax, then in his venerable

Father Neumann a Novice. 249

old age, spoke as follows of those days : "I had the
happiness to have with me once more my friend, Father
Neumann. I was sick, and the Bishop had no priest to
send me ; but the amiable and obligirrg Father Neu
mann, with permission of Superiors, came and spent six
or eight weeks with me. I lay sick in bed, whilst he
labored indefatigably in my parish. Many a pleasant,
confidential hour we spent together. The time passed
all to quickly; and his permission having expired, he
was obliged to return to his novitiate at Rochester."

Again the novice sets out, hoping that this time,
at least, he would be allowed to recommence and con
tinue without interruption his much -desired novi
tiate. He reached Rochester, but, alas! only to go in
pursuit of his Master, who was still in Norwalk. Ar
rived at this latter place, Father Neumann did, in
deed, find a Master, though not the quiet and seclusion
of a novitiate. The parochial duties had, by this time,
so multiplied that one priest could by no means dis
charge them all; so the well-tried novice had to turn
round and gird himself for work. On him devolved
a full share of duty, and he rarely saw his Novice-
Master, who was most of the time hunting up the
Catholics scattered throughout the northern part of
Ohio. Toward the middle of November he received
orders to return to Baltimore, not by direct route, but
by slow stages, pausing to give missions in the little
parishes that lay scattered along the way. He set out
without delay, and in an open stage-coach, amid tor- ,
rents of rain, reached Canton, November ipth,/ Here he
met Right Rev. Bishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, with
Father Henni, his Vicar-General. Meanwhile the rumor
had spread in Ohio that the Congregation of the Most
Holy Redeemer was near its dissolution in America;
and, in consequence thereof, no novice could make the
religious profession among the Redemptorists. The
archenemy made use of this report to subject Father

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250 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Neumann to a grievous temptation. Bishop Purcell
crediting the rumor, strongly urged our novice-priest
to go with him to Cincinnati and there take charge of
a parish. But Father Neumann resisted the temptation
and decidedly refused the offer.

After a short stay at Canton, he went on to Randolph,
where he had been invited to give a mission. Here he
found the Catholics, as in so many other places, divided
into two parties. They had been at variance for three
years. The dispute was at last carried so far that one
party, thinking to thwart the other, maliciously set fire
to the house of God. This diabolical act, the outcome of
implacable animosity, was punished as it deserved : the
whole parish was deprived of the Sacraments. The dif
ficult task of bringing about a reconciliation between
the offending parties was imposed upon Father Neu
mann. Confiding in the divine assistance and the inter
cession of St. Alphonsus, he entered actively upon his
delicate undertaking. The mission lasted ten days,
during which time the holy missionary's prayers were
heard and his confidence rewarded; for, notwithstanding
the cold weather, his sermons were well attended and
all, without exception, received the Sacraments. The
contending factions were reconciled, and peace restored.
Encouraged and consoled by the success of his labors,
Father Neumann continued his journey to Wheeling.
On the way he fell ill, and was forced to seek shelter
and assistance at a house on the road, about ten miles
from Steubenville. The inmates were Americans wholly
indifferent in religious matters ; but they were kind-
hearted, hospitable people, and nursed their poor sick
guest with the tenderest care. In a few days he was
well enough to travel, and he soon reached Steubenville.
He was known to the Catholics of this place, for he had
often visited them from Pittsburg and celebrated Mass in
their little church. Here he tarried a few days, adminis
tering the consolations of religion, and thence proceeded

Father Neumann a Novice. 251

by stage to Wheeling, Cumberland, and Frederick, after
which he took the cars for Baltimore.

He was surprised on his arrival to find that his breth
ren had removed to the neighborhood of St. James'/
Church, St. John's having been doomed to demolition in
order to make way for a more spacious and elegant edi
fice, under the patronage of the glorious St. Alphonsus.
The novice's emotions at this news were those of un-
mingled satisfaction, for he looked upon the fact as an
evident sign of the Redemptorists' firm foothold in
Baltimore. Before his departure for Rochester, Father
Prost had drawn up the plans for the new church, which
were subsequently carried out by his successor, Father
Alexander. A lot was purchased on Saratoga Street
for the erection of a spacious church and commodious
convent. On May i, 1842, with the Archbishop's appro
bation and in presence of a numerous concourse of
people, the corner-stone was laid by' Canon Salzbacher,
of Vienna. The building progressed under the most
favorable auspices, and was soon completed to the satis
faction of all concerned.

The time now drew near for Father Neumann to
make his religious vows, the first made by any Redemp-
torist in America. The ceremony took place in old St.
JamesV, Baltimore, January 16, 1842, Rev. Father Alex-
ander presiding/ The chronicles of the Congregation
record the event in the following brief but significant
words: " In truth a new man \ein neuer Mann\ for our
Congregation."

How earnestly Father Neumann regarded this impor
tant act we may gather from a letter to his parents writ
ten shortly after his profession. "I belong now," he
writes, "body and soul, to the Congregation of the Most
Holy Redeemer. The corporal and spiritual aid mutu
ally given and received, the edification and good exam
ple which, in a society of this kind, one has around him
till death, wonderfully, facilitate the life I am now lead-
0$k#«~M^

252 Life of Bishop Neumann.

ing, the vocation to which I have been called. I have
every reason to hope that death will be more welcome
to me in this holy Congregation than it usually is to
seculars."

Father Neumann had now attained the object after
which he had so long sighed; he had successfully met
and overcome the multiplied trials of the novitiate, ren
dered more difficult in his case by its repeated inter
ruptions. His probation of fourteen months was not
without its temptations both interior and exterior. This
he tells us himself, fifteen years later, in a letter written,
when Bishop of Philadelphia, to encourage his nephew,
who had. but lately entered the Redemptorist novitiate.
He says:

" I myself was never a real novice, for when I entered
our beloved Congregation it had neither a Novice-Mas
ter nor a novitiate in America. Notwithstanding this
disadvantage, I am not without my share of experience; I
passed through the numerous temptations with which the
evil spirit is accustomed to try the recruits of St. Alphon-
sus. One poor novice perhaps imagines himself deficient
in physical strength; another deludes himself with the
notion that the rule is better kept in another Order, or
that in it he could possibly do more good than in the
one in which he now is. Sadness and dejection seize
upon some, whilst others are beset by a love of their own
ease. Some are attacked by home-sickness or other
temptations born of self-love, disgust for prayer, want
of confidence in superiors, etc., etc. The temptations of
the soul are, doubtless, as numerous as the disorders of
the body ; but, to remain steadfast in all this turmoil of
spirit, there is no better remedy than prayer to the
Blessed Virgin for the grace of perseverance, whilst, at
the same time, an immediate disclosure of the tempta
tion to one's director is absolutely necessary."

We will now furnish the reader a few edifying inci
dents of Father Neumann's novitiate. His perseverance

Father Neumann a Novice. 253

under the most trying circumstances, his exemplary
conduct during the period of his probation, must cer
tainly excite our sincere admiration. Constantly trav
elling from place to place, in order to give assistance in
the different houses of his Congregation then in exist
ence ; for long intervals left wholly to himself; labor
ing outside his convent; attending to the innumerable
duties of his ministry, — he was, under all circumstances,
ever the same, ever in his own estimation what his posi
tion made him for the moment, a novice, the last and
least of all his brethren, who witnessed with edification
the virtues that shone so conspicuously in him. Some
of the hardest trials to which he was subjected sprung
from his own humble diffidence in self. The following
lines will give us an insight into them. When alone on
the different missions to which he was appointed, he
often desired his Superiors' decision or advice on im
portant cases laid before him, and he frequently wrote
to this effect. But Divine Providence generally per
mitted, doubtless for his greater humiliation, that no an
swer whatever should be vouchsafed him, or that he
should receive such as did not even remotely touch on
the question. His doubts were not removed; his trouble
and perplexity remained the same. The cool reception
his applications met did not, however, lead him to relin
quish this submissive mode of acting toward his supe
riors. Sometimes the answers he received to his letters
were more wounding to him than would have been the
perfect silence on the part of those to whom they were
addressed, being couched in harsh and even bitter terms.
From Father Tschenhens, his Novice-Master, — whether
to try him or not we do not know, — he often heard the
not very encouraging words : " You had better return to
your former missions. You will never persevere with us."
Severe as such words may sound, and galling as they
must have been, they could not effect Father Neumann's
vocation. It was safe in the hands of her to whom he

254 Life of Bishop Neumann.

had entrusted it, safe under the protection of his loved
Mother, the ever Blessed Virgin Mary. Nor could such
treatment lessen his love and veneration for Father
Tschenhens, whom he chose for confessor as often as he
had an opportunity for doing so. Shortly after his re
ligious profession, he wrote him a most cordial letter,
thanking him for the kindness he had received at his
hands, and expressing his belief that he, his former
Novice-Master, would share in the joy he himself felt
on the occasion of making his sacred vows.

Long accustomed to practise the most rigorous pov
erty, Father Neumann was more than satisfied with
whatever fell to his lot in the way of food, clothing, or
lodging. Whilst in Rochester he found room for the
ordinary furniture of a sleeping apartment, a bed, a stand,
etc., under one of the staircases. These were luxurious
accommodations compared with some others in his life
time; but what cared one of his spiritual calibre whether
his rest were taken on a hard bench or a soft couch, ex
cept, indeed, rather to give preference to the former ?

Privations the greatest found him outwardly silent,
cheerful, affable; whilst in the depths of his soul he
roused his faith and adored the will of the great Father
whose mercy apportioned to him those precious little
crosses. When humbled, despised, or neglected, an ob
server might detect that movement of the lips which
betokens prayer, and his whole countenance breathed
not only interior devotion, but also joy at having some
thing to offer to God. On such occasions he was some
times heard to murmur, " My dearest Jesus, all for
Thee!"

The labors and privations necessarily encountered by
a newly- established Congregation were insufficient to
satisfy the fervor of our saintly novice; he must needs
add to them. When alone at the different stations
assigned him, he allowed himself but a scanty share of
food, and it was no rare thing for him to fast the whole

Father Neumann a Novice. 255

day long; he wore an iron cincture furnished with points
which entered the flesh and made painful wounds; more
over, the frequent use of the discipline and protracted
vigils were not unfamiliar to him.

His obedience was exact, childlike, and edifying; the
duties entrusted to him were performed with rigorous ex
actitude and as much perfection as possible. He never
meddled in the affairs of others, unless requested to do so.
We quote the following incident as an example of the re
ligious fidelity which influenced his every action. It so
happened, whilst he was with Father Tschenhens at Nor-
walk, that a wedding was to take place on a certain day,
the parties belonging to the more influential class of
society. Father Tschenhens had prepared the bride
and groom for the reception of the Holy Sacrament, and
he it was who was to perform the ceremony. The ap
pointed hour drew near, the wedding-train had arrived,
but the officiating clergyman was still among the miss
ing. He had been giving a mission at a distance and,
from some cause or other, failed to make the exact time.
The bridal party began to show signs of impatience, and
some even went so far as to urge Father Neumann to
perform the office of celebrant, assuring him at the same
time that Father Tschenhens had in his possession the
requisite documents. But no argument could induce
Father Neumann to celebrate the marriage without his
Superior's permission.

Though so closely engaged in the works of his min
istry, Father Neumann found time for numerous occu
pations conducive to the general good of the community.
The number of Fathers was small; consequently they
had not as yet an ordo for Mass and the Divine Office.
Father Neumann undertook the tedious task not only
of arranging one, but of sending to each of the Fathers,
as a New-Year's gift, a copy made by his own hand.
The lines accompanying each contained some cordial
and witty remarks like the following: " I doubt not,

256 Life of Bishop Neumann.

dear Father, that it will take you a whole year to get
through this letter."

The details we have given of Father Neumann's pro
bation may very possibly create astonishment in some
minds, as it is well known with what care St. Alphonsus
elaborated and defined his rules for the novices of his
Congregation, and with what fidelity its members adhere
to their founder's regulations on this point, as on all
others connected with their institute. But if we at
tentively consider the circumstances of those times, the
spiritual wants of the country, we must admit that,
apart from the conscientious observance of the rules of
the Congregation, no more suitable training could have
been bestowed upon one destined to carry out the spirit
of the holy founder in America. We shall admire, also,
the admirable workings of Divine Providence in choos
ing Father Neumann, that great soul whose biography
we now write, as the first scion of the Redemptorists in
America.

In difficult and extraordinary times Almighty God
gives extraordinary graces, as is proved in Father Neu
mann's case. The Redemptorist chronicles of those
early days inform us concerning this first acquisition to
their holy Congregation: " The first novice of our Ameri
can province did not enjoy the advantages found in the
regular instruction and careful discipline of a well-
regulated novitiate. He was entrusted with duties
which usually fall to the charge of professed religious
only; nevertheless he distinguished himself by a faith
ful observance of rules, unaffected love for the congre
gation, and the practice of eminent virtues."

Many changes took place after Father Neumann's pro
fession. Father Rumplerwas nominated to the German
church of New York; Father Bayer sent to Rochester;
and the Superior, Father Alexander, set out for Europe
with the hope of procuring an additional force for the
American mission. Fathers Fey and Neumann re-

Father Neumann a Novice. 257

mained in Baltimore, in which city there were, at that
early day, about four thousand German Catholics,
though the parish school could muster only ninety chil
dren. The pastor's duties were rendered the more
arduous by the fact that his flock lived scattered through
out the city and its environs. Sick-calls were frequent,
and often from a distance of many miles. The number
of converts under instructions was from ten to twenty
every day: not a Sunday passed without witnessing the
abjuration of several.

The Redemptorists' charge, at that period, was not
confined to the Germans of Baltimore alone. Many
other places around contained numerous German Catho
lic families minus a resident priest. The following
stations for two years, 1842-44, were regularly attended
from Baltimore: Cumberland, Harper's Ferry, Martins-
burg, Kingwood, Richmond, Frederick, York, Columbia,
Strasburg, and Westminster. Nor were these all. As
often as possible, the Fathers visited other towns of
Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, to administer the
Sacraments to the faithful. These distant missions
usually fell to Father Neumann. However toilsome or
dangerous the journey, never did a complaint escape his
lips, never did he give expression to annoyance or
chagrin. The fatigue consequent on these trips can
hardly be estimated nowadays with our numberless
modern facilities for travel. If we remember that the
only railroad at the time was the one between Balti
more and Frederick, we may perhaps, form some idea
of the difficulties attending such excursions. The canal-
boat or stage-coach was the only mode of conveyance,
and when this failed, as it often did, the missionary was
obliged to proceed on horseback or on foot through
forests and uninhabited districts, at all seasons, in rain
or shine, heat or cold. But Father Neumann's love of
mortification and zeal for souls surmounted every ob
stacle. When, after all his exertions, he received the re-

258 Life of Bishop Neumann.

ward usually bestowed by the world, when his well-
intentioned efforts were met by ingratitude, when his
laborious undertakings were greeted with scorn and
ridicule, then with redoubled earnestness did he press
forward in his pursuit of souls. What would have
intimidated another, what would have led him to aban
don the work altogether or pursue it with dampened
ardor, only stimulated Father Neumann to more heroic
self-sacrifice. His health now was not what it once was,
not what we knew it when he laughingly termed himself a
" Bohemian mountain-boy," for he was now a prey to fre
quent wasting fever which slowly consumed his strength.
A letter written thirty years later by his old friend
Father Pax gives us the following touching incident.

" In the fall of 1843, before returning to Europe, I visited
Baltimore for the purpose of seeing for the last time
my very dear friend, Father Neumann. The reception I
met from him was most cordial. I found him suffering
greatly. His throat was swollen, and fever was wasting
his health; yet he still worked hard in the confessional
and the pulpit, nor were his accustomed affability and
cheerfulness affected by his ill-health. After a very happy
day together we parted. The moment was a painful
one for both; I shall never forget it. His last words were:
1 Farewell for this life and till we meet again in heaven! ' '

We have every reason to believe that these two friends
and fellow-laborers are now united in the enjoyment of
their eternal reward. Father Pax, after living to cele
brate his golden jubilee, died at Saargemlind, diocese of
Metz, February 18, 1874, aged seventy-six years.

Charity toward the poor and distressed was always a
distinguishing trait in Father Neumann's character. Let
their misfortunes be what they might, they invariably
found a friend in him. On January 12, 1844, he had the
consolation of performing the last services of his minis
try for a poor criminal condemned to the scaffold. The
wretched man had been convicted of the murder of two

Father Neumann a Novice. 259

wives in succession. January i2th, the day appointed
for the execution, arrived, and the whole city of Balti
more was alive with excitement. An immense concourse
of people had assembled to witness the appalling sight.
Suddenly the hum of voices ceased, and silence fell upon
the surging mass as the condemned appeared on the
gallows with Father Neumann at his side. Holding
a crucifix in his hand, he addressed words of encour
agement to his penitent, exhorting him to offer to Al
mighty God his merited punishment in atonement for
the crimes he had committed, the scandal he had given.
Having made him confess his guilt by an act of contri
tion, he presented the crucifix to his lips, and remained
on the spot till the criminal had paid the penalty of his
guilt and his soul had passed to the presence of its Judge.

Father Alexander returned from Europe in 1843, ac
companied by eight Fathers, one professed student,
Francis Xavier Seelos, and five lay-brothers. About the
same time Rev. Joseph Miiller and six lay-brothers en
tered the Congregation.

By order of the Vicar-General, Rev. Father Passerat,
the Superior of the Redemptorists in America, was
thenceforward provided with two Consultors, Father
Neumann being appointed to that responsible post.
The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer was
now perfectly organized in America. Enlarging its field
of usefulness, it spread from year to year throughout
the vast districts of the New World. It rendered ines
timable service to the German Catholics by gathering
hundreds of thousands of them into over two hundred
parishes, which, with few exceptions, are at the present
day in a flourishing condition, attended by their own
parish priests. Baltimore, Pittsburg, Rochester, and
Philadelphia became the special theatres of its successful
ministrations. In fact, the Redemptorist Fathers were
almost the only priests who assumed the charge of the
German Catholics of those cities. •' <*•£>

*?

260 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER IV.

Father Neumann Superior of the Redemptorists,

Pittsburg.

ON March 5, 1844, Father Neumann was chosen
Superior of the Redemptorists in Pittsburg. It
will not be out of place to mention here some of the
difficulties attendant on the formation of St. Philomena's
parish of that city. As we have already seen, its estab
lishment gave rise to much anxiety and frequent contests
which lasted many years. Father Prost had, indeed,
succeeded in restoring something like harmony; but
two years later, in 1841, his successor, Father Alexander,
was forced into new altercations with some members of
the parish. They had become so infatuated with the
mischievous and unchristian trustee system that they
could not understand why they should be excluded from
a voice in every matter connected with the church.
They went so far as to renew their claims upon the prop
erty of both church and pastoral residence. Father
Alexander called a meeting in which he positively de
clared that, if they persisted in contesting the right of the
Redemptorists to the church-property, the Fathers would
leave Pittsburg. His words produced a deep impres
sion upon all present. Voices arose, some for and some
against the trustee system. ^ At ^ last, when things were
assuming a serious aspect, Jacob Schneider, an honest,
well-meaning citizen, the former owner of the property
under dispute, arose and addressed the assembly in the
following truthful, laconic, though somewhat blunt lan
guage: "This is none of your affair, therefore be silent.
No one has a right to a word on the subject. All this

Superior of the Redemptorists, Pittsburg. 261

property was once mine. I sold it to Father Prost; it
belongs to him. Now let us say no more." That Mr.
Schneider's statement was correct no one could deny;
and so the meeting was dissolved without further dis
cussion.

In consequence of this decision Father Louis Cartuy-
vels began, though under many difficulties, the erection
^ of the new church of St. Philomena.

On May 26, 1842, the Feast of Corpus Christi, the cor
ner-stone was laid in presence of a large concourse of peo
ple. Two months later the old factory was taken down
and a temporary church and school-house erected. These
were used until 1847. During the two years of Father
Cartuyvels' term of office he did much for the improve
ment of the parish; but, even with the best intentions,
he found it impossible to remove all difficulties. His
successor, Father Fey, feeling unequal to the onerous
task, resigned into the hands of Superiors a post which
he had held only a few weeks, March i, 1844.

The building of the temporary chapel and school, to
gether with the laying of the foundation of the new
church, had already accumulated a considerable debt.
The erection of the latter was still going on: how were
funds to be procured? The parish was small, the pa
rishioners were poor.

It was under these apparently most unfavorable cir
cumstances that Father Neumann was appointed Superior
of St. Philomena's. The chronicles of the congregation
tell us that by his extraordinary confidence in God he
accomplished what was, humanly speaking, impossible.

On his arrival in Pittsburg the community gathered
around him. All witnessed the struggle it cost him to
take the first place, the place due to his office of Superior.
The rule was quoted, but even then his countenance
betrayed the pain he felt at being forced to take pre
cedence among his brethren.

Shortly before Father Neumann's appointment as

262 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Superior, Pittsburg had been raised to the dignity of a
bishopric. In 1843 the pious and learned Fafner'Michael
O'Connor, Vicar-General of the diocese of Philadelphia
and an intimate friend of Father Neumann, was conse
crated its first Bishop,

The erection of the newly-projected church of St.
Philomena claimed the first attention of the new Superior.
The entire responsibility of the undertaking rested upon
him, even to the direction of the work in its minutest
details. He began by forming a " Building Society"
whose members contributed five cents a week; even the
poorest of the parish could command this small sum, and
they paid their mite most cheerfully. The common
saying was again verified: "It is the poor that build and
support our churches." Notwithstanding the readiness
of his parishioners to fall in with their good pastor's
views, yet, as might be expected, he sometimes found
himself in great pecuniary straits. The saintly Father
Seelos says: "While Father Neumann was Superior in
Pittsburg the beautiful Gothic church of St. Philomena
was built. Who can estimate the weight of care and
anxiety that then rested upon him with the weekly drain
on his slender resources in the shape of laborers' wages,
etc. ? The whole superintendence of the building de
volved upon him, and what, under such circumstances,
the holy man endured, God alone knows. On the last
great day He will manifest it to the glory of His faith
ful servant. I shared, in a measure, his anxiety.
The workmen had to be paid on Saturday, and it fre
quently happened that Friday came round and not a
cent on hand for the purpose — no prospect even of ob
taining money. And yet, wonderful to say, Saturday
evening brought with it the requisite sum for paying off
the hands."

St. Philomena's is a Gothic structure one hundred and
sixty feet long, sixty-five feet wide, and sixty feet high
in the middle nave. The steeple rises to the height of

Superior of the Redemptorists, Pittsburg. 263

two hundred and twenty-five feet. The proportions of
the entire building are in harmony, and the effect pro
duced by the whole most pleasing. Father Neumann's
stay in Pittsburg was too short to enable him to super
intend the frescoing of the interior, but to him belongs
the honor of having sketched the outlines for the same.
The beautiful altars are works of art; the Stations of the
Cross, the richly decorated statues, the stained-glass
windows — all tend to inspire the beholder with devotion.
The opinion is unanimous that the external structure
and the interior finish of St. Philomena's can rarely be
surpassed.

Let us now consider Father Neumann in the midst of
his flock, for whose spiritual welfare his devotedness
knew no bounds. On him devolved the burden of the
care of souls. City and country claimed his zeal; and
had not his presence been necessary for the building of
the church, the latter, as being the more laborious,
would have been his by right of preference. In the
confessional, in the pulpit, in the school, he was inde
fatigable. He devoted himself especially to those plain
catechetical instructions usually given in the Redemp-
torist churches on Sunday afternoons; here he signalized
himself. With what ease he prepared for his sermons is
well known to all who were in any way familiar with
him; indeed, we may say that he needed no special
preparation, since his life of prayer and study rendered
him capable of announcing the Word of God at all times.
He ascribed this facility to a little method adopted in
youth. When reading he noted down the striking
maxims or beautiful sentiments presented by the page
before him; whatever he thought might be of benefit
to souls he made his own. In this way he laid by an
immense amount of material which in his free mo
ments he arranged to use when expedient in sermons,
conferences, and catechetical instructions. Did the
attendance on a sick-call involve some extra trouble,

264 Life of Bishop Neumann.

it was claimed as a right by the devoted Superior, whose
eager desire was to spare his subjects as much as pos
sible. Sometimes the latter complained of never being
allowed to discharge this most onerous part of their
ministry; but they were playfully put off with the words:
" You need all the rest you can get. I cannot sleep at
night, so I might as well go myself."

Father Neumann was ever ready to lend assistance
and to give advice; none ever left him dissatisfied or
unconsoled. As in the early days of his missionary life,
so now in later years do we find him exhibiting the same
affectionate interest in the education of youth. The
well-being and progress of the schools were always a
primary object with him, for he was firmly convinced
that only Christian education can form a good Catholic
congregation. He took them under his own special
superintendence, bestowing upon them all the time and
attention he could possibly spare from other duties. He
excelled, as we have before remarked, in catechetical
instructions, as he possessed in a high degree the
secret of making them pleasing and intelligible to chil
dren. The simplicity of his explanations appealed to
their understanding, whilst the piety of his own true
heart awoke a corresponsive flame in theirs. He was,
besides, so affable, so gracious, so condescending toward
the little ones of his flock that he found at once a way to
their innocent young hearts, he won their whole con
fidence. When his well-known step was heard entering
the school-room, smiles of welcome lit up every face,
and great was the disappointment when their good
Father Superior was prevented from paying his accus
tomed visit. Crowds of these little people used to gather
round him on the street, touching his hand, pulling at
his coat, or asking a blessing. To prepare them for
their First Communion was, of all occupations, his
chosen one. His care and diligence in this duty was
unremitting. He left no means untried to awaken fervor

Superior of the Rcdemptorists, Pittsburgh 265

and piety in their youthful breasts, and to impress upon
their minds a full understanding of what they were
to receive in Holy Communion. He procured, as far
as in him lay, that the day on which they approached
the Holy Table for the first time should be celebrated
with all possible magnificence, that the deep impression
made thereby on the young communicants might cause
them ever to revert with joy and gratitude to the ines
timable favor then bestowed.

A catechism suited to the use of our schools was, at
that time, a desideratum. Father Neumann took upon
himself the difficult task of compiling one, and its excel
lence has been very generally acknowledged. The
experience of many years had taught him the importance
of teaching children something of sacred history, in
order to facilitate their memorizing the answers of the
catechism; consequently his next step was to write a
Bible History for the use of the schools. His day's work
over, he used to spend the entire night in such compila
tions, that the books might be placed as soon as possible
in the hands of teachers and scholars. These two little
books are magnificent proofs of Father Neumann's
abilities as a teacher of youth, and of the high respect
in which he held the Holy Scriptures; for, whilst
endeavoring to make the sacred narrative intelligible to
children, he retained as far as was practicable the words of
the text through reverence for the written Word of God.

He also composed manuals for the various con
fraternities usually established in the Redemptorist
churches, in order to make known to the members the
graces and privileges in which they might share and
the conditions necessary for doing so. He introduced
the Confraternity of the Living Rosary, and in those
already existing he endeavored to excite greater fervor;
for he was convinced that by such societies the love of
Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother would take deeper
root in the hearts of the faithful.

266 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Of the special end of his own Congregation, the Mis
sions, he never lost sight, and he availed himself of every
opportunity to induce the secular clergy to allow these
exercises to be preached in their parishes. Although his
parochial duties claimed so large a portion of his time
and strength, yet he was ever ready to undertake those
apostolic labors, and often directed them himself. They
were, too, often fraught with mortifications and humilia
tions. Father Seelos informs us of an incident which
happened on one of Father Neumann's journeys to the
scene of one of these missions, and which affords us an
insight into his conduct under rebuffs and insults. He
writes: " Father Neumann and I were to give a mission
at St. Vincent's, where stands at present the great
Benedictine abbey. We arrived in the evening at
Youngstown, a little village in the neighborhood. Un
able to continue our journey as far as St. Vincent's, we
were obliged to pass the night in a tavern, so called. Our
reception was ungracious enough, and not without diffi
culty did we succeed in procuring something to eat.
After supper, we thought surely a bedroom would be
assigned us, but we were disappointed. We sat un
noticed on a bench which was eventually to serve the
purpose of a bed. The door was locked, and no alterna
tive left us but to make the best of our situation. * We
shall have to content ourselves with a bed like to that of
the Fathers of the Desert,' said Father Neumann good-
humoredly; and spreading his cloak on the bench along
with my own, he bade me lie down. I did so in obedi
ence, whilst he sat up all night in prayer, to which fact
may doubtless be ascribed the rich fruits of our mis
sion." Father Seelos adds: " I could relate many other
similar incidents."

In this little trait we behold Father Neumann's paternal
care of his subjects. True, it was not always in his
power either to prevent or to remedy every evil; but at
such times his unbounded confidence in God effected

Superior of the Redemptorists, Pittsburg. 267

what human means could not. He had recourse to
prayer with such ardor, such confidence, such impor
tunity that of him it might be said as formerly of Jacob:
" He wrestled with his God, saying, ' I will not let Thee
go, except Thou bless me.'"

One subject of deep regret to Father Neumann was
the want of laborers in the Lord's vineyard, and we
often find him giving expression to it both by word
and writing. Behold the following: " The scarcity of
German priests is sensibly felt. The few that we have
are sadly out of proportion with the ever-increasing
wants of the faithful. There are Catholics who have
not been to confession for many years, and there are
young persons of nineteen or twenty who have noth
ing of Catholicity about them saving their baptism,
— and all this from the want of priests. The longer
this need continues, the more difficult will it be to
reanimate faith and the fear of God." After forty
years, we behold in our own day the sad realiza
tion of Father Neumann's prediction. It was his de
cided opinion that German Catholics should be attended
by priests of their own nationality. English-speaking
priests do not learn German, and the Germans acquire
too little English after coming to this country to un
derstand with profit the truths of faith taught them
in that language. Therefore Father Neumann suggests
means by which America may be supplied with good
German priests. "It cannot be expected," he says,
"that the episcopal seminaries should educate Ger
man students for the ministry. The best way to pro
vide for this want would be to establish a society of
ecclesiastics in Austria on the same plan as the Semi
nary of Foreign Missions or that of the Holy Ghost
in Paris. This association would, then, supply our
destitute States with missionaries."

268 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Of the clangers to which youth is exposed, Father
Neumann's judgment was as far-seeing and profound as
it was true. Speaking of education, he says: "The
school-system of the United States is very liberal in
theory; but in reality it is most intolerant toward
Catholics. Every one has to contribute to the erection
and maintenance of the public schools, in which instruc
tion is restricted to reading, writing, and ciphering. As
respects religious instruction, which is excluded from
those schools, parents are free to have their children
reared in whatever religion they please. Notwithstand
ing these liberal concessions, it cannot be doubted that
the young mind is influenced by the irreligious disposi
tions of the teacher. Even the text-books selected for
use are injurious to Catholic children. They are nothing
else than heretical extracts from a falsified Bible, and
histories which contain the most malicious perversion
of truth, the grossest lies against the doctrines and prac
tices of the Catholic Church. The teachers are, for the
most part, either Protestants or infidels. Immorality
reigns in these schools, especially in those which are in
the country.

" These circumstances combine for the spiritual ruin
of Catholic children; hence the generality of Catholic
priests forbid parents to send their children to such
schools. But lukewarm or avaricious parents heed little
their prohibitions. They allege that the English lan
guage, which is thoroughly taught in the public schools,
is necessary for their children's success in life; and, as
they are obliged to contribute to the support of these
schools, they desire to derive some private advantage from
them. Many Catholics, therefore, go to the public schools
with immense detriment to both faith and morals." *

* Since the above was penned the educational system of the United
Slates has considerably improved, and the number of Catholic schools

Superior of the Redemptorists, Pittsburg. 269

Another complaint launched against the Catholics of
America by Father Neumann is their custom of sending
their children to work in factories or, what is still worse,
allowing them to take service in infidel or irreligious
families at an age at which they ought to attend school.

" It is also quite common," he goes on to say, " for
parents to entrust young children that are a burden
to them to respectable and wealthy families by whom
they are fed, clothed, and instructed until the age
of eighteen or twenty. This is a crying evil. Ameri
can Protestants are fanatical; they use every means
to check the spread of Catholicity. They receive Cath
olic children into their families with the secret inten
tion of destroying their faith; and, as they make fair
promises, the foolish parents think themselves fortunate
in having so well provided for their little ones. They
will, it is true, one day weep over their own folly, but,
alas! it will then be too late. The poor children will
have not only forgotten parents, language, and religion,
but their education, based on pride, sensuality, and self-
sufficiency, leads them to contract the vices of their
guardians; they are corrupted for life, they are lost for
eternity. Such cases are of frequent occurrence, and, as
far as my observation goes, no child thus dealt with has
met a better fate. The children of the French and Irish
were in the beginning similarly situated, for which
reason the Bishops have strained every effort to erect or
phan asylums over which, as a general thing, the Sisters
of Charity preside. Asylums of the same kind for our
German children are necessary. They must be regarded
as the best, the only means to wrest them from the grasp
of infidelity, and eventually from eternal death."

has greatly increased, thus facilitating the attendance of Catholic chil
dren. Besides, the Bishops assembled in the Plenary Council ex
pressed their views on this head. They permit the frequentation of
the public schools to Catholic children only on certain conditions.

270 Life of BisJiop Neumann.

The rapid spread of secret societies was another source
of grief to Father Neumann. Let us listen to him ex
pressing himself on this evil:

" Several secret societies have been formed lately
among infidels and non-Catholics; for instance, the
Freemasons, the Odd-fellows, and the Order of Red Men.
All assert that the only object of their association is
fraternal benevolence and mutual support. But this is
merely a specious cloak. The very oath tendered them,
viz., secrecy as to what goes on in their meetings, is a
sufficient reason to suspect their intention, and to warn
Catholics against communication with them. The show
of philanthropy and the temporal advantages they offer
their members have induced the major part of German
Protestants to swell their ranks. Under pain of exclu
sion from the Sacraments, the Provincial Council has
forbidden Catholics to join such societies. Notwith
standing the prohibition many have been enticed into
them, and the sad consequences are that they have
fallen away from the faith."

Of the worth or worthlessness of the so-called mixed
societies, which are neither religious nor masonic, Father
Neumann also speaks. In the character imputed to
these associations lies the difficulty of passing a correct
judgment upon them. Hence the following opinion,
which we reproduce word for word as far as possible, is
of special value: " Among Americans," he says, " there
exists a peculiar hankering after unions and societies
having a political or literary object. The Germans,
unable to resist their mania for imitation, have already
plunged into the current of these societies. Admission
to them is easy and, to swell their numbers, a kind of
propagandism is practised, it being incumbent on every
member to enlist others. Hence it happens that Ger
man Catholics joining these associations, harmless per
haps in themselves, come into closer and more frequent
communication with certain men than is expedient for

Superior of the Redemptorists, Pittsburg. 2 7 1

their faith and morals. On many occasions, at funerals,
anniversaries, for example, sermons are preached and
prayers offered in Protestant churches. Such demon
strations are exceedingly pleasing to the American peo
ple despite their infidelity. In these sermons, reason
and the biblical knowledge of the audience are set up as
arbiters; open criticism of the preacher and his words is
not only allowable, but even commendable. Such prin
ciples are most hurtful to a Catholic. The childlike
faith which the Christian must possess in order to
gain salvation hereby sustains great injury. Some of
these poor Catholics who, either through stupidity or
curiosity or the desire to please acquaintances, have
been present at such sermons end by wishing their
priests no longer to treat the Word of God as a revela
tion of divine truth, but as a scientific subject 'which
they themselves may freely discuss and decide. Ser
mons, they say, should flatter their whims and views;
anything else is distasteful.

"To counteract these evils, to eradicate them, or, at
least, to neutralize their pernicious effects, the German
Catholic missionary must be endued with extraordinary
prudence and constancy. That his parishioners may be
restrained from joining secret societies, from too inti
mate intercourse with heretics, from the reading of
Protestant and immoral books, etc., a very discreet zeal
is needed. The proper remedies must be applied to
these evils. The following appear the most suitable: in
our churches divine service must be conducted with as
much solemnity as possible; solid and popular sermons
and instructions must be preached on Sundays and holy-
days; confraternities must be introduced; newspapers
and good books must be diffused; but, above all, prayer
and the frequentation of the Sacraments must be insisted
upon."

Prejudice against our Holy Church was in those days

272 Life of Bishop Neumann.

both bitter and wide-spread. Catholics were looked upon
as ignorant and superstitious, taught by their priests
that all who differed from them in faith should with fire
and sword be swept from the face of the earth. The
feeling thus engendered against the ministers of religion
led to their being ridiculed, insulted, and sometimes even
pelted with stones. It-was only by patience and perse
verance, the erection of imposing churches, school-
houses, and charitable institutions that these odious
prejudices gradually disappeared.

In a letter to the Archbishop of Vienna Father Neu
mann thus describes the condition of Protestantism in
America at that period: " The delusions of the Metho
dists, whose numbers are constantly on the increase in
the United States, are like the action of nitric acid on
marble; they dissolve the older sects of Protestantism
into a thousand different fragments. The erroneous
doctrines of these new American denominations are
closely allied to those of the ancient Gnostics and Mani-
cheans. As regards the knowledge of what is holiest
in heaven or upon earth, of the eternal weal or woe of
immortal souls, nothing is more ridiculous than the con
fused reveries of these new sects. The terrible punish
ments of God are visibly afflicting these proud, unfortu
nate men who, shamefully heedless of the voice of Jesus
Christ in His Church, have separated from the unity of
that spiritual body in which alone life and holiness are
found. These sects which have sprung up here within
the last hundred years are all eagerness to begin the
millennium, or the thousand years of Christ's reign upon
earth, whilst others imagine themselves already in it.
The best-known sect in these States are the Shakers,
who claim that the millennium has already begun for
them; that they all possess apostolic gifts; that baptism
and the Holy Eucharist, being only for the first ages, are
no longer necessary. They deny the eternity of hell.

Siipcrior of the Rcdemptorists, Pittsburg. 273

torments, excepting in the case of unfortunate apostates
from their own sect. They say that Christ will not come
again, since He has already come in His Saints (the
Shakers] They affirm that even now, in our own time,
the Last Judgment has begun; the books are opened,
the dead are rising from their graves and coming to be
judged by them. They reject marriage because they are
now in eternity, their old earthly Adam is destroyed;
and, according to them, they are already in the splendor
of the bright and celestial intuition of God. They pre
tend that every sin against God is a sin against each
individual member of their sect also, and the sinner to
obtain forgiveness must confess his crimes to them.
They likewise affirm that their leaders have free access
to the spirit-world, etc.

" Thei* religious rites \are mysterious and varied.
Sometimes they assemble on a mountain and, on the
supposition that the time for the spiritual harvest has
arrived, they gravely and silently imitate the movements
of reapers at work. At a given sign all make a motion
with their hands, as if weeding, then as if threshing and
putting wheat into the mill. Then they mimic bakers
and cooks, and lastly prepare a meal at which all par
take of invisible food and drink, accompanied by signs
of hearty relish. Dancing forms another feature in their
religious ceremonies. The dancers, men and women, in
a costume for the occasion, jump up and down about
four inches from the ground, interspersing their leaps
with various extravagant movements of the limbs.
Then they sing, now high, now low, their appearance
leading one to imagine them bewitched. The violent
efforts that they make bring on a relaxation of nerves,
and they begin to tremble as if with chills. Some clap
their hands, and others spring up so high into the air
that they end by tumbling headlong to the ground.
This sect came to America from England in 1774, and
settled in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The

274 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Shakers have, however, earned a good name for their
peaceable disposition, and they are, moreover, excellent
farmers."

Not so harmless were many of the other sects which,
in their fanaticism, aimed at injuring the Catholic
Church wherever they could. Apostasy from her fold
they rewarded by temporal advantages; in fact, they
supported whole families who had been thus seduced
from their faith. Strange as it may appear, there were
not wanting cases in which impoverished Catholics were
willing to barter their eternal salvation for a little tem
poral interest. We give the following singular fact as
an illustration of this lamentable blindness. A German
family, all Catholics, lived for some time in a state of
great destitution; starvation stared them in the face.
One of these sectarian proselytizers asked the father one
day to join his church, promising, in the event of his
doing so, to get him plenty of work at high wages, and
to furnish him at once with a sum sufficient to help him
out of his needy circumstances. The poor fellow hesi
tated; he found himself in a most embarrassing position.
What answer should he give ? He was unwilling to jeo
pardize his own and his children's salvation, yet could
he longer behold his little ones pleading for that bread
which he was unable give them? What should he do?
It was, indeed, a fearful stratagem of the enemy of souls.
At last the poor man hit upon an expedient. Forgetful
of the sin he was thereby incurring, he resolved to feign
apostasy and so obtain the needed help. He communi
cated his intention to his wife in the following words:
" Let us join the heretics outwardly, but in our heart let
us still belong to the Catholic Church'. Let us accept
both the money and the work. As soon as we shall have
relieved our distress, we shall live again as Catholics."
The wife fully comprehended the magnitude of the
crime such dissimulation would entail, and not without
a heavy heart did she agree to her husband's proposal.

Siipcnor of the Redemptorists, Pittsburg. 275

But hunger pressed; she saw no alternative. The poor
creatures received the promised relief, but remorse
gnawed like a worm at their heart. Shortly after the
wretched father had occasion to go to Pittsburg. It was
Sunday morning, and he was passing St. Philomena's
Church just as the High Mass began. He hears the
familiar sounds of the organ, and the magnificent strains
of the " Kyrie" strike on his ear. " Lord, have mercy
on us! Lord, have mercy on us!" — the words re-echo in
the depths of his soul, and, obedient to some powerful
interior impulse, he enters the house of God. And why
does he not pause there at the door ? Where is he
going — he, the apostate ? Urged on by the same invisi
ble power that bade him enter, he goes on and on — he
pauses not until he reaches the sanctuary-rail, and there
he stands. Motionless, breathless, supporting himself on
his stick, he stands and gazes at the sacred scene before
him. Father Neumann, the Superior, is at the altar; he
it is who is about to offer the propitiatory sacrifice.
The more solemn parts of the Mass draw near, — the
offertory, the sanctus, the consecration, — and still the
man stands spell-bound outside the rail. The celebrant
divides the Sacred Host over the chalice, the Communion
approaches, when — hark! — a cry, a groan, and the un
happy but now contrite apostate falls on his knees in an
agony of tears and repentance. What had he seen ? What
had he heard? What forced that cry of bitter anguish from
his breast ? Let us hear his own account: "When the
priest broke the Sacred Host, I saw drops of blood trick
ling from It!" For the salvation of that one poor soul,
Almighty God had deigned to work a stupendous miracle.
Oh, how surpassingly good is God toward the stray soul
in whom He can discover one spark of faith, one feeling
of sorrow! At the same instant in which with his corpo
ral eyes the poor man saw the blood, he seemed to hear
in his soul a voice, saying, "This blood hast thou forced
from Me by thy apostasy!" Need we say that his con-

276 Life of Bishop Neumann.

version was accomplished ? After Mass he hurried to
the sacristy, where he related to Father Neumann all
that had happened, made a contrite confession, and in a
short time led his whole family back to the bosom of
the Church.

Innumerable similar conversions were wrought through
the instrumentality of the Fathers, though unattended by
the external miraculous evidences accompanying that
just narrated; consequently we must not wonder at their
attracting upon themselves the malevolence of Satan and
his emissaries. Their hatred fell principally upon Father
Neumann, against whom insults and annoyances of all
sorts were directed. One day a drunkard presented
himself at the residence of the Fathers. It so happened
that the first one whom he met was Father Neumann,
the Superior, and upon him was poured out the wrath of
the inebriate. The vilest abuse, torrents of threats and
imprecations, flowed from his foam-covered lips. Father
Neumann listened calmly, and, after the storm had some
what abated, asked in a gentle tone, " Have you any
thing more to say ?" The fellow had sense enough left
to wonder at such meekness, and answered, " No, I have
said all that I have to say." "Well, then," said Father
Neumann, " you had better go home and sleep off the
effects of liquor;" and he gently but resolutely led him to
the door. Not long after, the unfortunate victim of
drink acknowledged his error and asked pardon with
many signs of confusion. His violence was intended for
Father Joseph Miiller, but it fell upon Father Neumann.
The latter failed not to detect the mistake. " Take care,"
said he to Father Miiller, " take care not to encounter
. He is greatly incensed against you."

One night an abandoned wretch set fire to the school-
house, which, like the temporary church and the pastoral
residence, was only of wood. Everything would have
been consumed had not Almighty God frustrated the
diabolical design. A Catholic gentleman, happening to

Superior of the Redemptorists, Pittsburg. 277

drive down Penn Street about midnight, was interiorly
urged to turn into the narrow street in which the school-
house stood. He discovered the fire, promptly gave the
alarm, and thus the property was saved.

On the first Sunday of October, 1846, the Feast of the
Holy Rosary, the beautiful church of St. Philomena was
solemnly blessed and opened for divine service by Right
Rev. Michael O'Connor. This much of the great work
was accomplished; but not yet was it permitted Father
Neumann to sing his " Nunc dimittis," not yet was it
his to say, "Now, O Lord, Thou dost dismiss Thy serv
ant in peace," since his beloved little community was
still unprovided with a suitable abode. This, also, was
to be his task, the erection of a convent for the Fathers.
Active as ever, hopeful as ever, trustful as ever in that
Providence which never yet had failed him, he set to
work. He wished the building to correspond, as far as
possible, to the style of the church, and to furnish accom
modations not only for the resident Fathers and Brothers,
but also for whatever novices or students might in the
future make Pittsburg their home. In its interior and
exterior arrangements the new convent was to be mod
elled according to the requirements of the rule. These
plans Father Neumann happily carried out. The con
vent attached to St. Philomena's Church is the most com
modious house of the Congregation, and up to the pres
ent it has undergone no material change.

So far we have followed Father Neumann in his exer
tions for the well-being of others, for the welfare of all
confided to his care. Let us now turn our attention to
the life led by him in the seclusion of the convent.

The innumerable cares attendant on a large parish,
besides those entailed by the erection of the buildings of
which we have spoken, never interfered with Father
Neumann's conscientious discharge of his duties as a
religious whether as subject or Superior. The punc
tual observance of the rules and customs of the Con-

278 Life of Bishop Neumann.

gregation in all their minutiae was his conscientious study,
and of his subjects he required a similar exactitude. The
difficult circumstances with which the Fathers had to
contend in those early days of their missionary career in
America rendered such exactitude no easy matter; but,
by mildness and firmness joined to his own example, he
succeeded in maintaining regular observance in the com
munity. He was convinced that religious attract upon
themselves and their labors the fulness of divine grace
only by strictly observing the rules of their Order, and
acquire its spirit by walking in the footsteps of their
founder. Besides, Father Neumann required nothing of
his brethren as Superior that he was not ready to prac
tise himself. He shone a model of all virtues common
to the religious life; therefore did he always find his
subjects ready for any sacrifice demanded by the honor
of God, their own sanctification, or the salvation of their
neighbor. Fathers Tschenhens, Cronenberg, Joseph
Mliller, Schaffler, Hotz, and Seelos, who had the happi
ness to live under his direction at the period of which we
write, unanimously declare that in him they never failed
to find a vigilant Superior, a loving Father, a kind and
obliging confrere. Nothing escaped his watchful eye.
The trifling faults common in a community, and the
wants of its individual members, were equally detected
by him. The former fell under the ban of gentle reproof;
the latter were speedily and lovingly supplied. His
paternal solicitude extended to everything, for his only
desire was to see the religious committed to his care liv
ing happy and contented in the faithful observance of the
rule and according to the spirit of St. Alphonsus. That
his efforts were successful we can judge from their re
sults; for, amid poverty, distress, and arduous labors, the
home of the Redemptorist Fathers was ever the abode of
holy joy. We have the foregoing from the saintly Father
Seelos, who, fifteen years later, wrote as follows: "The
years of 1845 and '46 I spent in Pittsburg, where Father

Superior of the Redemptorists, Ptttsburg. 279

Neumann held to me the place of Superior. I was his
subject, nay, rather his son. I had just left the novitiate,
and the more inexperienced I was, the greater need had
I of his direction. And, indeed, he was to me in every
respect a father whom I can never forget. He taught
me how to act, how to direct my steps in the practical
walks of life; he was my confessor and spiritual guide;
he cared for me in every way. The remembrance of his
good example, his extreme modesty, his deep humility,
and his patience that overcame all difficulties, will ever
be mine. Our poor abode was so wretched that one
night, during a severe thunder-storm, the rain poured
down upon our beds. We had to leave our room and
seek shelter in another part of the house. I say our
room, since we were obliged to share one between us, a
curtain being our only partition. I often heard Father
Neumann saying his prayers till late in the night. He
generally slept so little that I wondered how he could
live and labor with so little rest. As he was accustomed
to rise before the appointed hour, he used to kindle the
fire, often bringing up the fuel himself, that the room
might be warm before I arose."

His sincere humility and charity toward his subjects
rendered his spiritual guidance easy and delightful.
Was there something disagreeable or difficult to be
done, that was his by right; the easy or the honorable
he left to his companions. His modesty was at all times
so unaffected, so natural, that neither in word nor in act
could an observer discover the least indication of his
office as Superior. From the rule he claimed no exemp
tion, never absenting himself when avoidable from com
munity exercises; even if up the greater part of the night
on a distant sick-call, the morning meditation found him
in his accustomed place in the oratory.

He made the monthly and the annual retreat pre
scribed by the rule with scrupulous exactness; never
was he known to omit them. Although engaged in

280 Life of Bishop Ne

umann.

superintending the buildings, yet he never failed to
announce to his brethren the evening before his inten
tion of making his monthly retreat the next day.

The habit of recollection seemed to have become a
second nature to him. His observance of silence was
truly exemplary and according to the spirit of the rule.
He never spoke at prohibited hours except for real ne
cessity; and, in the true spirit of that holy and sanctify
ing virtue, he carefully avoided all kinds of noise. But
if duty or charity required him to speak, he did so, and
in such a manner that neither silence nor cordiality suf
fered thereby.

A secular priest was for some time a guest in our con
vent. As he had heard so much of Father Neumann's
piety, he determined to watch him narrowly. He did so,
and afterward informed the Fathers both of his resolu
tion and his inability to discover the least fault in their
saintly Superior.

In the summer of 1845, Very Rev. Father de Held,
Provincial of the Belgian Province, to which the Re-
demptorists in America at that time belonged, arrived
from Europe, accompanied by Rev. Father Bernard. His
object was to make the visitation of the different houses
in the United States. After it was over, the Very Reverend
Provincial expressed his opinion of Father Neumann in
the following terms: "The Superior, Father Neumann,
is a great man. He unites eminent prudence and firm
ness of character with true piety. Were it not that I
have already appointed Father Czackert as my repre
sentative in America, I would choose Father Neumann
for that post."

The Reverend Visitor's intentions respecting Father
Neumann were, however, soon to be realized. But before
his appointment as Provincial of the Redemptorists in
America, we shall behold Father Neumann undergoing
a severe trial. Almighty God willed to purify him for
the responsible office to which He destined him by a very

Superior of the Redeniptorists, Pittsburg. 281

serious illness which brought with it grave thoughts of
death. The mental and physical strain to which he had
so long been subjected at last began to tell upon him;
his strength gave way, and serious apprehensions were
entertained that his days were drawing to a close. A
constant cough, accompanied by spitting of blood, were
looked upon as sure indications of pulmonary troubles.
He who had been ever solicitous for the well-being of
others now forgot himself. The Fathers repeatedly
urged him to spare himself and to take the advice of a
physician, but all in vain. He answered with a smile,
" It is nothing. I shall soon be well."

At last his brethren believed themselves in duty bound
to procure an order from the Provincial for Father Neu
mann to submit to medical treatment. A physician was
consulted, and, after a thorough examination of the sick
man, he declared his lungs involved: the worst results
were to be feared if remedies were not promptly admin
istered. The invalid submitted to the physician in a
spirit of obedience, and after a few weeks was pro
nounced out of danger. " But," added Dr. N , " if

he wishes to be restored to health, Father Neumann
must leave Pittsburg."

At this announcement, Father Czackert, the Vice-
Provincial, summoned Father Neumann to Baltimore,
January 27, 1847. The latter obeyed, leaving the con
vent attached to St. Philomena's, and which had pro
gressed most satisfactorily, to be completed by his suc
cessor.

282 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER V.

Father Neumann Vice-Provincial of the Redemp-
torists in America.

T7ATHER NEUMANN was destined not long to en-
J. joy the rest he so much needed. At the end of
two weeks,^February 9, 1847, he received a letter bearing
date^December 15, 1846, in which Father de Held ap
pointed him Superior of the American Province.* Great
was Father Neumann's surprise on receipt of this news.
In his humility and love of retirement, his only desire
was to live and die as a simple religious, and he had
flattered himself that his present state of health would
necessarily contribute to the fulfilment of his wishes.
But Divine Providence had ordained otherwise: the more
important the more onerous position of Vice-Provincial,
was now laid upon him. Again must he put his hand to
the plough, and again shall we behold him neither falter
ing nor looking back; but, strong in the strength of con
fidence in the All-Powerful, with St. Paul he stretches
forward to the things before him. The larger the field
opened up to his labors, the more brightly glowed his
zeal for the glory of God, the welfare of his brethren,
and the salvation of souls.

To form a correct estimate of Father Neumann in his
new position, it is fitting that we cast a retrospective
glance at the formation of some parishes which were, at
that time, in the hands of the Congregation of the Most
Holy Redeemer.

* Father Frederick de Held died April 20, 1881, at Vaals, in Hol
land, at the advanced age of eighty years, in the sixtieth of his re
ligious profession and the fifty-eighth of his priesthood.

Vice-Provincial of the Redemptorists. 283

The early history of St. Alphonsus' and St. JamesX
Baltimore, we have already sufficiently dwelt upon, as
also that of St. Philomena's, Pittsburg. Let us, there
fore, turn our attention to St. Joseph's, Rochester. We
remember that Father Prost left here in 1838, from
which date till the close of 1839, almost a year, the Ger
man Catholics were without a pastor; Father Sanderl
was then sent to take charge of them.

In spite of manifold difficulties and contradictions, the
building of the new church went on without interrup
tion. Father Bayer, having been appointed Superior at
Rochester, so energetically pushed forward the work,
that on August 15, 1843, the Feast of Our Lady's
Assumption, the corner-stone was laid. The following
January ''ne went to Europe, leaving his place to be
supplied by Father Beranek, who had just laid the foun
dations of St. Peter's, Philadelphia. He arrived in Roch
ester to find the new church there just as Jar advanced
as the one he had left. Two years and a half later, July
26, 1846, the Feast of St. Ann, St. Joseph's Church,
Rochester, was dedicated.

We shall now glance at the most important establish
ment of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
in America, viz., that of New York. The Fathers had re
ceived an invitation to settle in New York City, under
pretty much the same circumstances as those recorded
of Pittsburg and Baltimore. Until 1833, the German
Catholics of New York had no priest of their own nation
ality. About this time Father Raffeiner'as before stated,
arrived in that city with the intention of joining the Re
demptorists. But changing his mind, he devoted himself
to the spiritual welfare of the Germans whom he found
there. Renting a blacksmith-shop at the corner of Pitt
and Delancy streets, he there held divine service.

Two years later, 1835, ne purchased a Protestant
meeting-house, and finally built the little church of St.
Nicholas in Second Street. Father Raffeiner had labored

"n^n,- J7.

284 Life of Bishop Neumann.

among the Germans for about six years, when, worn out
by the continued opposition of the trustees, he sought
another field of action in Williamsburg, opposite the
city of New York.

Several other priests successively endeavored to guide
the parish of St. Nicholas, but all found it impossible to
cope with the difficulties of their position. Finally, Right
Rev. Bishop Hughes called the Redemptorist Fathers to
New York. On August 21, 1842, Father Rumpler took
charge of the German Catholics, and three months later
Father Joseph Miiller joined him as assistant. No sooner
was the change effected than the Fathers saw them
selves confronted by the opposition of the trustees, who
managed to embitter and render still more difficult their
already onerous duties. It is almost incredible to what
petty annoyances these men condescended to stoop.
They wished to control everything: even the number of
candles on the altar was to be determined by them.

Despite thelfc bitter animosities and persecutions,
Father Rumpler courageously persevered in laboring
for the souls confided to him, and energetically carried
out his plan for the erection of a second church for the
German Catholics of New York. His efforts were more
than successful. The very next year he purchased for
two thousand dollars a lot in Third Street; and on Sep
tember 19, 1843, he announced to his congregation that,
with the Bishop's approbation, he intended to form a
new parish. On Ash-Wednesday of 1844 the corner
stone of a temporary church was laid, and on Easter
Sunday, April i^.fri, the Church of the Most Holy Re
deemer was dedicated and opened for service. Several
Fathers were sent to Father Rumpler's assistance, and
service was regularly held in both churches. The for
mation of a second German parish created much opposi
tion at first on the part of the trustees mentioned above;
but by degrees minds became calm, and the Church of
the Most Holy Redeemer proved a source of the richest

Vice-Provincial of the Rcdemptorists. 285

blessings to Catholics at large. In June, 1844, the Ca
puchin Fathers Ambrose Buchmeyer and Felician Krebes
assumed the care of St. Nicholas' parish, and the Re-
demptorists were enabled to devote their undivided en
ergies to the welfare of the new parish. God blessed
their labors. They had begun modestly — a temporary
frame church, with a school-room capable of accommo
dating about one hundred children. Ten years later, on
that very site, Archbishop Hughes consecrated the pres
ent beautiful Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, and
the little school-room has given place to a building
whither fourteen hundred children flock for instruction.
Besides their own churches in New York City, the Fath
ers attended to over twenty country missions throughout
the State.

The next Redemptorist foundation took place in Phil
adelphia. The various parishes of which the Fathers
had hitherto accepted the charge were, without exception,
disorganized and divided by party-spirit ; now, however,
we find one deviation from this general rule, and that
was St. Peter's, Philadelphia. Apart from the difficulties
inseparably connected with every new foundation, the
most amicable relations here existed between the parish
ioners and their pastors, the former faithfully co-operat
ing with the latter. This happy state of things was
owing in part, no doubt, to the sad experience connected
with the church of the Holy Trinity, which had up to
that time been the only German Catholic church in
Philadelphia.

Provided with a letter from Bishop Kenrick, then
Bishop of Philadelphia, to the Redemptorist Fathers, a
deputation proceeded to Baltimore in order to present
a petition to the Provincial, Father Alexander/ begging
him to take charge of St. Peter's parish. After mature
deliberation with his counsellors, Father Alexander
granted the request, and promised to visit Philadelphia
himself for the purpose of making all necessary arrange-

286 Life of Bishop Neumann.

ments. On the site where now stands the large and
beautiful school-house, three old frame houses were
turned into a temporary church. The commencement
was, indeed, poor enough ; but it was favorable, and
God's blessing rested visibly upon it. The reader may
form some idea of the poverty of this young parish from
the fact that the collection during the first solemn ser
vices held in the church amounted to one dollar and forty
cents! About one hundred children attended the school
during the first year. FatherASanderlf\he~^first pastor,
was succeeded in June of the same year by Rev. Fathen
Beranek, who laid, as we have elsewhere remarked, the
foundations of the present church. He was unexpected
ly removed to Rochester in 1843, and his successor,
Father Louis Cartuyvels, continued the work as vigor
ously as his means would allow.

About this time, Philadelphia was the scene of certain
lawless transactions disgraceful alike to society and
humanity, viz., the violent persecution of Catholics by
the so-called Native American Party. This fanatical
mob, composed of sectarians of every stripe, roamed the
streets, burning down churches and dwellings, and mur
dering inoffensive citizens. Many Catholics fell victims
to these cruel proceedings on May 7, 1844, in the north
ern and eastern section of the city near ^t. Petjec'sj.
Church. On the 8th, St. Michael's, with the convent of
the Sisters of Charity hard by, was consigned to the
flames ; whilst in another direction, St. Augustine's,
together with the pastoral residence, was similarly de
stroyed. Strange that St. Peter's, situated about midway
between these two churches, should have been spared!
Yet so it was. Divine Providence had manifestly cast
around this humble germ of a new parish the mail of Its
mighty protection. Under the direction of Father Fey,
the present edifice was com pletec^ arid opened for divine
service, 'December 29, 1844. OnAFeoruary 14, 1847, it
was consecrated by Right Rev. Francis Patrick

Vice- Provincial of the Redemptorists. 287

One among the most memorable of the Redemptorist
foundations was that of St. Mary's (Marienstadt) among
the mountains of Pennsylvania, destined to be handed
over at a later period to the Benedictines. A company
of German Catholics had purchased here an immense
tract of land, forty-eight thousand acres, with the design
of establishing a colony. Father Sanderl had several
times visited the district from Pittsburg, and adminis
tered the Sacraments to the colonists; but only in 1843
did Father Alexander accept the offer to take permanent
charge of their spiritual welfare. He it was who gave
to the colony the name of St. Mary's. To Father Car-
tuyvels and Brother Louis, the latter an expert builder,
was assigned the care of erecting in the wilderness a
temporary church, together with a school and dwelling.
In 1845 Father Alexander arrived in capacity of Supe
rior. His interest was enlisted in the welfare of the little
colony, and he exerted himself in every way to further
it. To ameliorate the poverty existing among the colo
nists, he tried to engage them in agriculture. He also
put up a larger church, convent, and school. The first of
these, a frame structure, sixty by thirty feet, was made to
serve three purposes. The school was at first attended
by only thirty children, whom Brother Xavier instructed ;
but immigration soon swelled its numbers, so that by
1847 the pupils counted one hundred and sixty-two, the
colonists having increased to two thousand souls. The
poverty of the immigrants was extreme ; the majority
had come without any means of subsistence, and even
the necessaries of life were wanting. Whence were food
and clothing to be procured for them? Very little could
be expected from the rude, uncultivated soil. The
Fathers shared their bread with the hungry, and the
contributions received from their brethren in the differ
ent cities were freely distributed to the poverty-stricken
multitude. A. daily allowance of soup was given to the
poor children of the school from the convent-kitchen ;

288 Life of Bishop Neumann.

and it was truly a touching sight, these miserably clad
little ones kneeling during Holy Mass, their tiny hands
folded and clasping the spoon soon to be put to good
use. Louis I. of Bavaria, his chaplain Father Muller,
and the Most Reverend Archbishop of Munich sent
generous donations to the sufferers, whilst Father Alex
ander himself was not deterred from incurring debt in
order to assist them. But it was not in accordance with
the designs of God that the Redemptorists should es
tablish themselves at St. Mary's. The labors of agricul
ture entered not into their special vocation, and Superiors
resolved to transfer the colony to an Order one of whose
particular ends is the cultivation of the soil. In 1848,
therefore, St. Mary's was handed over to the Benedic
tines.

Before resuming the thread of Father Neumann's life,
we shall mention briefly some other foundations estab
lished previously to the time of his appointment as
Provincial. In 1844 the Fathers were invited to Buffalo
by Bishop Hughes ; and here the oft-told tale was
repeated, troubles arising from the trustee-system. The
stubborn resistance of the trustees belonging to the
church of St. Louis against lawful authority obliged the
Bishop to place it under interdict. But, not to leave the
well-disposed members of the congregation destitute of
a pastor, he transferred the parish to the Redemptorists,
assigning to them provisionally the church of St. Patrick
as a place of service for the German Catholics. The
Fathers readily assented to the Bishop's arrangements,
and during that same year built a temporary church for
their large congregation on the corner of Batavia and
Pine streets. This site is now that of the spacious and
beautiful St. Mary's.

Bishop Timon, who had meantime been made first
Bishop of Buffalo, speaks, in his work entitled " The
Missions of the Western Part of the State of New York,"
of the labors of the Fathers in the temporary church.

Vice- Provincial of the Redemptorists. 289

He makes use of the following words: "The Redemp
torists had already begun a house in Buffalo, where they
were laboring most successfully. They resided in a
wretched dwelling, and had to labor in a church that
scarcely deserved the name of church. Yet at every ser
vice it was crowded with the faithful. The zealous
Fathers did an extraordinary amount of good."

During the same year, 1844, the Redemptorists gave
a mission in Monroe, Michigan, to a congregation at
that time without a pastor. At its close, Bishop Lefevre,
of Detroit, expressed his desire to leave the parish
in the hands of the Fathers, that they might there
establish a mission-house. To this he was impelled by
the conviction of the good that would emanate from
this most powerful means of salvation. Father Neu
mann, the Vice-Provincial, was not the man to put obsta
cles in the way of any such design ; consequently, in
June of that year, the Fathers took charge of the parish.
Under their administration it increased so rapidly that
the church had to be enlarged the following year. On
December 8, 1845, it was solemnly consecrated by Bishop
Lefevre, under the title of the Immaculate Conception.
We may judge of the success of the Fathers at Monroe
from the annals of the above-mentioned church, which
record four thousand members as belonging to its Tem
perance Society.

In 1846 the Redemptorists took charge of St. Mary's
Church, Detroit, under circumstances similar to those
that influenced their installation among the German
Catholics of Buffalo. The parish under trustee govern
ment had lapsed into the direst confusion. Bishop Le
fevre engaged the Fathers to give a mission to the con
gregation, after which he handed the church over to
them.

During the same year the German Catholics of Wash
ington, D. C., were also provided for by the Redemptot-
ists, and St. Mary's Church built for their use.

290 Life of BisJiop Neumann.

CHAPTER VI.
Father Neumann's Labors as Vice-Provincial.

WHEN Father Neumann entered upon his duties
as Vice-Provincial, he found ten houses of the
Congregation in America, with about thirty Fathers, a
number totally inadequate to the work devolving on
them. Besides the care of their own extensive parishes,
many mission-stations were depending upon them at
this time. The German Catholics scattered throughout
the country districts would meet together, sometimes
from a distance of over one hundred miles, and build a
little log-church hardly suitable for divine service.
Thither a Redemptorist would make his way, sometimes
on horseback, again on foot (for railways, we may be
lieve, were not common in those parts at that remote
period), to preach the Word of God, celebrate the Holy
Sacrifice, and administer the Sacraments to the faithful.
Father Neumann had from the first rightly appreci
ated the immensity of the work assigned the Congrega
tion of the Most Holy Redeemer in America ; he under
stood the difficulties that the Fathers would encounter in
their respective establishments; he was well aware that
the labor surpassed the strength of the laborers ; he was
practically acquainted with their poverty ; and he had
felt the pressure of debt. He was conscious that the
major part of the labors and contradictions consequent
upon such a situation had been laid on his own shoulders ;
but the full measure of the sufferings, the persecutions,
the humiliations that fell to his share during the short
term of his office as Vice-Provincial, he certainly could
not foresee.

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 291

Does it not seem as if God willed that this new dignity,
to which in His wisdom He had raised His faithful ser
vant, should serve as a novitiate for the honor and burden
of the episcopacy ? We have every reason to believe that
this was, indeed, the design of Divine Providence, when
we behold Father Neumann passing through this trying
ordeal ; and we marvel at the resignation with which he
shouldered the burden and began the discharge of the
arduous duties attached thereto. We may, perhaps,
search for the secret of his strength : we shall find it in
his unbounded confidence in God, his humble diffidence
of self.

During the short period of his Provincialship he
effected extraordinary and lasting results for the good
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

The establishment of the Redemptorists at New Or
leans was principally owing to his energy.

In the fall of 1843 Father^Czackert went to New Or
leans to collect for the building of St. Philomena's
Church, Pittsburg. A^ekbishop Blanc received him most
cordially, offered him the hospitality of the Anefcfepisco-
pal mansion, and entreated him to take an interest in
the spiritual concerns of the German Catholics of the
city. Father Czackert willingly assented to the wishes
of the Archbishop, earnestly hoping, at the same time,
that Superiors would at some future day consent to make
a foundation there.

Service for the Germans was held at first in the
French chapel of St. Vincent de Paul. But soon after
Father Czackert removed to that part of the city which
is called Lafayette, where he hired a hall from the
Protestants and fitted it up for a chapel. On December
3, 1843, he bought near Josephine Street some lots on
which to erect a temporary church. The building ma
terials were collected and the work about to be begun
when Father Czackert was called away by his Superiors.
But as the Archbishop was fully determined that the

i~ ,..w /£y>0«~ ^

292 Life of Bishop Neumann.

post should be held by the Redemptorists, Father Kun-
dek continued the building of the church in their name.
On January 14, 1844, the corner-stone was laid, and on
April i4th of the same year the church was solemnly
dedicated under the title of the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin. In 1847 Father Czackert's hopes for
the foundation of a house of his Congregation in New
Orleans were realized, and he was deputed by his
Superiors to begin the work. He started on his mission
with Louis Kenning, a lay-brother, who proved himself
a most faithful companion.

The Archbishop was greatly rejoiced at the success of
his enterprise. He installed Father Czackert himself as
pastor of the German church, and expressed his wish
for the Fathers to take charge also of the English and
the French parishes in the same part of the city.

Shortly after, Father Neumann sent two Fathers and
two lay-brothers to New Orleans to assist those already
there. In the summer of 1848 Brother Louis opened a
school with only fourteen scholars on the first day ; at
the end of a month the number had increased to forty.

The early foundation of this house was marked by
great trials. Poverty, added to hardships and contra
dictions of all kinds here, as in other places, fell to the
lot of the sons of St. Alphonsus. In addition to all this,
yellow fever, that terrible scourge of New Orleans, raged
in the city. In September both the Fathers and
Brothers were stricken down by the disease. Not one
was left to nurse his brethren. The Vicar-General of
the diocese and other members of the clergy magnani
mously offered them every relief; they nursed the sick
and attended to their pastoral duties. But alas ! de
spite the care bestowed upon him, good Father Czack
ert succumbed to the violence of the disease. He, the
zealous founder of the Redemptorists in New Orleans
was the first in the long line of victims to the dreadful,
scourge recorded in the annals of the Congregation.

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 293

His death occurred September 2, 1848, just five years
after his first visit to New Orleans. Jk +~*-

Father .Petesch now stood alone in the midst of an
overwhelming amount of labor. He longed for assist
ance, but none could be granted, as Superiors could not
conscientiously send a Father to New Orleans whilst the
fever was raging. Father Neumann's kind heart was
torn by the thought of the good Father's isolated posi
tion. He consoled and encouraged him by his letters,
and that was all he could then do. One of his letters ran
thus:

"lam truly concerned about you, dear Father, not
only on account of the immense weight of duty that
now devolves upon you, but also for your health and
your life. Your heroic resolution to remain and, if
needs be, die at your post is, indeed, a subject of conso
lation to all your brethren, as well as to myself. It
would, however, be a heavy blow to us to lose you.
May God's holy will be done !" Father Neumann goes
on to express his deep regret at being unable to send
Fathers to New Orleans whilst the epidemic was raging,
since one not acclimated would surely fall a victim to
its attacks.

About this period, Father Neumann turned his eyes
toward Cumberland, a flourishing town in the north
western part of Maryland, wherein to establish a new
foundation. For years the Redemptorist Fathers from
Baltimore had visited the German Catholics of Cumber
land, and administered to them the consolations of
religion. Father Neumann when in Baltimore had him
self often made the journey of one hundred and eighty
miles — a journey long enough in those days — for the
same purpose; and the beautiful situation of the little
town was not lost on him. He now set about realizing
his plan of a foundation, deputing Father Urbanzek and
Brother Adam to begin the good work. His first care
was for the church, which he resolved should be spacious

294 Life of Bishop Neumann.

enough to accommodate a large congregation. On
June 4, 1848, the corner-stone of the present church of
Sts. Peter and Paul was laid by Archbishop Eccleston, of
Baltimore. September 23d of the following year be
held the dedication of the same by Rev. Father Bernard,
who had succeeded Father Neumann as Provincial.
The magnificent site of the convent, perched as it is on
a hill, joined to the healthfulness of the locality, sug
gested, even at that early date, the idea of establishing
there the novitiate and House of Studies. This pro
ject was carried out at a later period.

The early history of the Cumberland foundation
records its share of crosses and difficulties; but it pros
pered in the end and soon became the favorite spot of
the Redemptorists, who for many years attended the
faithful far and near and formed them into parishes.
At the present day, these various stations, the fruits of
the zeal and labors of the Redemptorist Fathers, can
boast their own churches and pastors.

The same period beheld Father Neumann's energies
directed to a second undertaking similar to the one
above recorded, viz., the foundation of a convent in
Buffalo. In October, 1847, a new church, one hundred
and eighty by eighty feet, was begun. On April pth of
the following year, which happened to fall on Easter-
Monday, Bishop Timon laid the corner-stone of St.
Mary's of the Immaculate Conception. On the last
Sunday of July, 1850, the church was consecrated.

Another important foundation made under Father
Neumann's direction was that of St. Alphonsus, in the
southwestern part of New York City. Father Rumpler,
a man burning with zeal for souls, had long felt the
necessity of providing a church for the German Catho
lics of that quarter. Father Neumann took a lively
interest in the project, and aided Father Rumpler to
carry out his plans. On September 18, 1847, the cor
ner-stone was laid, and two months later, November 25th,

Labors as Vice- Provincial. 295

the church of St. Alphonsus was dedicated. The first
pastor of the new congregation was Father ^Tappert,
whose chief object was to provide a school-house for
the children. The blessing of God rested on the whole
undertaking; for on the site of the old church has
since arisen a spacious and magnificent edifice in the
Romanesque style. The sons of St. Alphonsus have here
as elsewhere developed great and successful results for
the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Father Neumann did not restrict his zeal to the gov
ernment of the houses of the Congregation entrusted to
his care as Provincial. He also promoted with special
predilection and personal activity the great work of the
missions, a work which forms the principal end of the
Congregation. Through his instrumentality, Bishop
Rappe, of Cleveland, petitioned for missions throughout
all the parishes of his diocese. During these missions,
Father Neumann, in his humility and modesty, always
chose for himself the less conspicuous and more weary
ing part, such as early morning instruction and the
recitation of the Rosary before the evening sermon. In
the confessional he was indefatigable; the whole day
long, from dawn till late at night, found him at his
post.

Father Neumann understood e€f»a}4y- well- the great
importance of retreats for priests and religious ; there
fore he devoted special attention to such exercises.
From their priests the people imbibe faith and piety. If
the priest is a man of faith and prayer, he will infuse his
own spirit into the souls committed to his care. Such
gifts and graces are communicated to the clergy in a
special manner by means of retreats. These life-giving
exercises Father Neumann frequently conducted him
self with equal facility in German, French, and Eng
lish. His humble bearing in presence of the clergy
and religious was the source of great edification, a
silent sermon in itself, whilst the lively faith, the ardent

296 Life of Bishop Neumann.

love of God, embodied in his discourses moved the
hearts of his hearers and produced much fruit.

His exertions were not confined to works at a dis
tance; he took an active part in the ministry among his
own parishioners of Baltimore, where, as Vice-Provincial,
he was also local Superior. In 1847 ne made such
changes in the house adjoining St. Alphonsus' Church
as would render it suitable for a convent, and he gath
ered around him a large community whose members
led a truly edifying religious life. The present beauti
ful Gothic church was built under the superintendence of
Father Alexander, and on March 14, 1845, was dedicated
by Archbishop Eccleston. It is a spacious edifice
crowned by a steeple two hundred and twenty feet in
height — an ornament to the neighborhood in which it
stands.

The pulpit, the confessional, the schools, the sick — all
were special objects of Father Neumann's zeal. Austere
toward himself, condescending toward others, affable
and obliging toward those with whom he came in con
tact, he won his way with all; he was beloved by his
own brethren, by the secular clergy, and by the faithful
at large. The most difficult and trying duties, and
those attended by the least tclat were his by right of
choice. The Sunday explanation of the Christian Doc
trine, sick-calls at night, catechetical instructions to con
verts late in the evening — all such duties he reserved for
himself. It was a touching and edifying sight — the
crowds, young and old, that flocked on Sunday after
noons to hear the divine truths from the lips of him
who so well understood how to speak to both mind and
heart in a clear, practical, apostolic way.

The training of the students of the Congregation was
another work dear to Father Neumann's heart. " The
novitiate and the House of Studies," he used to say, "are
the seminaries of the Congregation; from them are our
missionaries to go forth. If the students are educated

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 297

according to the spirit of St. Alphonsus, the Congre
gation will continue to correspond to the end for which
it was established."

The house attached to St. James's, Baltimore, was in
course of time found too small for the purposes origi
nally intended. The novitiate was therefore transferred
to Pittsburg. Father Seelos, a pious and enlightened
religious, was appointed Novice-Master, an office for
which he was eminently qualified. The professed stu
dents were retained in Baltimore, that, under Father
Neumann's watchful care, they might dispose themselves
for their sublime vocation. For their special accommo
dation, he erected a house adjoining St. Alphonsus'.

On September 26, 1847, Father Neumann wrote to his
family in Bohemia. We give his letter almost entire, as
from it we glean some particulars connected with his
labors in Baltimore. He writes:

"MY VERY DEAR PARENTS AND SlSTERS:

"The reason of my long silence is that nothing new
has occurred either to brother Wenceslaus or myself.
The former is now in Pittsburg and I am in Baltimore.
Our German parish is always on the increase. Before
I went to Pittsburg, two priests could more easily
accomplish here what it now requires seven to perform.
We have charge of three schools, and Protestants are
constantly coming for instruction in our holy religion.
They generally end by entering the Church, after which
many of them show their gratitude to God by leading
a Christian life such as is seldom witnessed in Europe.
Eighty-five adults, one third of them negroes, were
last year received into the Church.

"It would give me great pleasure to hear from Pracha-
titz and my old schoolmates. I occasionally receive
books and money from the Society of St. Leopold, but
who the benefactors are I do not know. Since brother
Wenceslaus' arrival I have no news from home.

" As we now have a house and church in New Orleans,

298 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Louisiana, I have begun to study Spanish. At thirty-
six I have again become a child and am learning gram
mar. But this is of little importance."

This letter rouses our admiration of the writer's deep
humility. Not one word in reference to the responsible
post he then occupied as Vice-Provincial.

The schools again came in for a large share of Father
Neumann's attention. For four months, from July to
November, he was busy with the building of a new
school-house opposite the Redemptorist convent, Balti
more. It was known later as St. Alphonsus' Hall, and
was in 1873 totally destroyed by fire.

It may be interesting to insert here the testimony of
an eye-witness respecting the influence Father Neumann
brought to bear upon the work so dear to his heart, the
mental and moral training of the young. A Sister of
the Order of Notre Dame speaks as follows of this
period:

"When Father Neumann was Superior of St. Alphon
sus' in Baltimore, I had charge of the girls' school;
consequently I had ample opportunity to admire his
virtues and eminent qualities. He was an accomplished
catechist and a great lover of children. His gentleness,
meekness, and perseverance in communicating religious
instruction to the children often awoke my astonish
ment, and the salutary impression he made upon even
the most faulty and troublesome of our little people was
quite remarkable. The young delinquents would freely
avow to him their faults, their deviations from the truth,
their petty thefts, etc. His mere glance seemed to con
tain in it something of the all-seeing attribute of God,
so did it penetrate their souls. They often said to me,
' Sister, Father Neumann looked right into my heart.'

"I had the bad habit," the same Sister continues, "of
speaking in a high tone and of losing patience whilst
teaching; but after Father Neumann had surprised me
in this fault once or twice, I learned how to correct. He

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 299

used to enter the school-room so quietly, so modestly,
that sometimes I did not perceive him until greeted
with the words, 'Sister, I thought I heard you screaming
just now,' and then he would fix his large, expressive
eyes upon me so earnestly that there was no mistaking
his meaning."

Wherever the honor of God and the salvation of souls
could be promoted, Father Neumann was ready for any
sacrifice. A new field for his zeal was soon opened
before him. The Sisters of Providence (colored) occu
pied at this period a convent on North Park Street.
They exercised the same vocation then as they do now
in their new and more commodious convent, viz., the
care of an orphan asylum and a boarding-school for
colored children. The worthy Sisters accomplished
much good, but from lack of funds, and still more on
account of the wrant of spiritual assistance, the com
munity was in danger of being dissolved. God raised
up for them a true friend in the person of Father Neu
mann, who in all things connected with them manifested
a lively interest. In 1847 he took charge of them, held
divine service in their chapel for the benefit of the
colored people, instructed the orphans, and rendered
every assistance in his power. Under his wise and holy
direction their institution prospered, the number of
religious increased from three to sixteen, and their
pupils from fifteen to one hundred and thirteen. When,
later on, his zeal was directed to the establishment of
other similar institutions, he transferred the care of this
community to Father Anwander, C.SS.R., who earnestly
contributed to the maintenance of its prosperity.

As confessor of the Carmelite Nuns, Baltimore, Father
Neumann led these daughters of St. Teresa onward in
the path of perfection. The survivors among those that
had the happiness to share his wise direction speak of
him in the following terms: "Rev. Father Neumann
contributed largely to the perfection of our Sisters.

300 Life of Bishop Neumann.

His exhortations and instructions were animated by his
own enthusiasm for the honor of God, the sublime end
of the religious state. They inflamed our heart with
an ardent desire for religious perfection, for a total
oblation to God."

The year 1847 afforded Father Neumann an oppor
tunity for calling into existence another great work, one
whose wide-spread and lasting influence has done much
in behalf of Christian education in America. In August
of this year there arrived in Baltimore from Munich,
Bavaria, five School-Sisters of Notre Dame, who came
to seek in the United States a new field for their labors.
&fr¥. Mother Teresa, Superioress-General of the Sisters,
headed the little band. She wished to see for herself
whether America could supply the kind of work suit
able to the vocation of her religious. The coming of
these Sisters was wholly unexpected, and therefore no
preparations had been made for their reception. But
Father Neumann actively bestirred himself in their
behalf, gave them advice, and furnished them with
whatever they needed. He procured hospitality for
them in the different convents of the city until they
could obtain employment in some school. For this
they had not long to wait, as he entrusted to them the
schools attached to St. James's Church, giving them
for their convent the commodious dwelling adjoining
the same. A short time after, St. Alphonsus' school also
was transferred to their management. Father Neumann
did not, however, content himself with appointing them
to the charge of the three female schools under his own
jurisdiction in Baltimore; he recommended them like
wise to the Bishops of various dioceses as exemplary
religious and excellent teachers.

In the fall of 1848 Rev. Mother Teresa was to return
to Munich; but before taking leave of the United States
she deemed it expedient to visit some of the more im
portant cities, that she might be able to decide which

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 301

would be most suitable for foundations of her Congrega
tion. Sister Mary Caroline accompanied her as compan
ion, and Father Neumann resolved to make one of the
party himself on their long and wearisome trip. Sister
Caroline, now Mother Caroline, is at present Superioress
of the Sisters of Notre Dame in America. During her
tour through the States she had many opportunities for
observing the virtues of her reverend guide and patron —
opportunities that she failed not to improve, and that
afforded her room to admire his saintly qualities. We
shall record a few of the edifying incidents she relates
in connection with that journey. She says:

"We visited Pittsburg, Cleveland, Milwaukee, New
York, and Philadelphia. We travelled by land and by
water, by steamboat and stage-coach, Father Neumann
perseveringly embracing every opportunity to give me
lessons in English.

"He was one of the most patient of men, contented
with anything and everything. I often saw him buy
some biscuits for a few cents and make them serve for a
meal. He would sit apart quietly eating them. I also
noticed that, even during the greatest heat of the day,
he never took a glass of water.

" On one occasion a rude fellow who was on the same
boat with us called the Father an 'accursed priest;'
but the only answer he received was a friendly glance
and gentle smile. The man slunk away, apparently
ashamed of his rudeness.

" Our progress on one of the steamboats was retarded
by low water. Father Neumann was sitting on deck,
and, being overcome by weariness, he fell asleep. Some
mischievous boys were near, and they no sooner beheld
the reverend gentleman dozing than they began to play
pranks upon him. With a piece of chalk they covered
his back with little crosses. I saw what the young
scamps had done, and when the Father awoke I offered
to brush them off. But, not in the least disturbed by the

302 Life of Bishop Neumann.

trick played upon him, he quietly replied, ' Oh, it is not
necessary; they will rub off of themselves.'

"This man of God was, in truth, the instrument of
Divine Providence in spreading and firmly establishing
the Congregation of the School-Sisters in the United
States. We may justly regard him as our founder in
America. We were, besides, so happy as to have him for
five years as our confessor and spiritual adviser. We
had ample time and opportunity for discovering his
learning, his kind-heartedness, and his sanctity. He
was our spiritual director till his elevation to the episco
pate. Between the years 1847 and '52 he must have
trodden the road from St. Alphonsus* to St. James's at
least a thousand times to hear our confessions and to
give us conferences, retreats, etc. Like Bishop Wittman,
he understood the art of fostering in others that true
religious spirit which had become a second nature to
himself. His zeal for souls was simply indefatigable.
He showed the deepest interest in our ceremonies, par
ticularly those of reception to the habit and the profes
sion of vows. We were extremely happy under his wise
and paternal direction. We have indeed every reason
to revere him as our founder in America."

Up to the present we have closely observed and no
less ardently admired Father Neumann's unrelenting
zeal in the practice of those virtues that go to make up
the perfect religious. But if we contemplate his life
with a view of discovering what virtue most distin
guished him, we shall find it difficult to decide. He had
formed the resolution, and he kept it inviolably, of sedu
lously imitating the virtues of his holy founder, St. Al
phonsus, especially his unremitting ardor for the glory
of God, his spirit of prayer, his humility, meekness, self-
denial, and disinterestedness. Of all these virtues, any
single one of which practised for the love of God would
form a saint, it seems to us that Father Neumann ex
celled in the most difficult — humility. This virtue was in

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 303

him truly unfeigned. Occasionally it gave rise to amus
ing incidents. One morning, at an unusually early hour,
he arrived in New York and sought admittance at the
Redemptorist convent. The porter, a postulant lately
come to the house, answered the bell. When he saw
a little man in the garb of a priest, and rather shabby
withal, standing at the door, his first thought was, " This
must be the sacristan from Bloomingdale. He has come
early to borrow our dalmatics." Then addressing the
stranger, he said, "Well, what do you want?"

" I should like to see the Superior, Father Rumpler.
Is he at home?"

" Yes," answered the Brother. " He is at home."

"What is your name, Brother?" asked the stranger
with a smile.

" I am Brother N ," answered the postulant, as he

turned into the house to call the Superior. Father Neu
mann made a move as if to follow him, when the Brother
stopped short, exclaiming, " Stay here, if you please.
Take a seat on that bench, whilst I go call the Superior."
And as he went he muttered to himself quite loud enough
for the stranger's ears, " This sacristan is inquisitive.
He asks my name, and even wants to enter the cloister."

Father Neumann smiled, and seated himself where he
had been directed. After the lapse of a few minutes,
Brother N again appeared, this time with the in
quiry,

" Who are you ? What is your name ?"

"I am Father Neumann," was the gentle answer.

"Father Neumann!" repeated the astonished porter.
"Oh, if you are one of the Fathers, pray come in."

Father Neumann entered and followed Brother N

to the Superior's room, where, to his amazement, he be
held Father Rumpler fall on his knees before the stranger
and ask a blessing.

The poor Brother was quite bewildered. Ashamed of
the reception he had given the Father Provincial and a

304 Life of Bishop Neumann.

little in dread of the result to himself, he avoided meet
ing him. But Father Neumann sent for him, spoke to
him kindly, and set him entirely at his ease by telling
him that he had faithfully performed his duty as porter.
" However," added he with a significant smile, "do not
get into the habit of thinking aloud."

Father Neumann sought occasions of humbling him
self and of being humbled as eagerly as others try to
shun them. It is customary for Superiors in Redemp-
torist communities to kiss the feet of their brethren on
Thursdays and publicly accuse themselves of their faults.
Such acts of self-abasement were dear to the heart of
our humble Father, who performed them with so great
fervor and holy joy as to leave their impress on his coun
tenance. Kind-hearted and gentle in his intercourse
with his brethren, as we have before remarked, he knew
how to detect and to banish their temptations in a man
ner peculiar to himself. No one ever addressed himself
to him under the pressure of interior trial without find
ing consolation, instruction, and support.

A venerable old Father relates that in 1847 he asked
Father Neumann's permission to make a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem. To lend weight to the arguments he brought
forward in support of his cause, he quoted a passage
from the writings of St. Alphonsus, and related the
following example from the Middle Ages: "Once upon
a time there lived in France a good old monk who con
ceived a desire similar to that which now urged him, viz.,
to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Places. He made
known his wishes to his Abbot, who not only accorded
him permission to do so, but even supplied him with
money for the journey — forty bright gold pieces. More
over, to show their appreciation of their confrere's
undertaking, several of his brethren accompanied him
barefoot for some days, singing psalms and reciting
prayers as they went." But as in our own days this style
of making pilgrimages is no longer feasible, the Father

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 305

declared that he would content himself with the permis
sion of his Superior, dispensing with the accompanying
features — the barefooted monks, the psalms, and the
prayers. Father Neumann listened quietly to the pro
jected journey, praised the good old Father's fervor and
piety which suggested a visit to the Holy Sepulchre, and
expressed his interest in the story of the old French
monk. He ended, however, by advising the Father to
pray for some time that God would make known to him
whether his desire proceeded from Him or was a delu
sion of the evil one. And so the pilgrimage ended.
Far from taxing the good old Father with imprudence
or extravagance, Father Neumann thus kindly and con
siderately dissipated what he knew to be merely an idle
temptation.

In important affairs Father Neumann ever refrained
from a decision founded merely upon his own opinions
and sentiments. Though a man of vast erudition and
great experience, he constantly mistrusted his own
strength, and in every question submitted to him he be
took himself to prayer. Following in the footsteps of
the wise and spiritual men that had gone before him, he
sought the advice of the Consultors assigned him by his
rule. Then whatever resolution had, after mature
deliberation, been adopted, he carried out in his own
quiet though resolute manner.

Above all things else he had at heart the preservation
and increase of the religious spirit; for his principle of
action was this, that whatever labors were undertaken
in behalf of souls, must, to be pleasing to God and
conducive to the end in view, spring from a pure inten
tion and a true love of His Divine Majesty. Therefore
he insisted on self-sanctification as the first requisite
in the sublime work of the ministry, and required of all
under his charge the acquisition of holiness chiefly by
the exact observance of rule. This he could all the
more lawfully exact as he himself was a model of every

306 Life of Bishop Neumann.

virtue, a living exemplification of every rule, of every
custom, of the Congregation. As Vice-Provincial no
more than as a simple subject would he allow the least
exception in his own favor. His superiority entitled
him to no privileges excepting that of choosing whatever
was most difficult and unpleasant for himself.

Defects which could not at once be remedied con
tributed not a little to increase the care and anxiety of
so conscientious a Superior as was Father Neumann.
In his solicitude for exact observance he undertook the
translation of the rule from the Italian, and he employed
every means in his power, mildness and earnestness,
kindness and firmness, to restore regular discipline
wherever it had suffered. We find this translation
among his manuscripts. It is a leather-back book,
pocket size, copied out most carefully in his own hand
writing. Its appearance indicates its having been carried
about with him, and the ornamentation of the title-
page bespeaks the childlike love and reverence he enter
tained for its contents. In another book of the same
kind he copied all the prayers and acts of devo
tion usually recited by the members of the Congre
gation.

Nor was less zeal displayed by Father Neumann in
the annual visitation of the houses under his charge.
He entered into the minutest details on such occasions,
and used every means to supply whatever deficiencies
might be at the time existing. In one house he found a
want for which he at once provided, viz., the tablet on
which, as the rule prescribes, are recorded the annual
patrons, with the virtues and prayers assigned by lot to
every member of the Congregation. Nothing escaped
his vigilance: the least shared with the greatest his
serious attention. In word and in writing he exhorted
Superiors to procure, as far as possible, books the most
suitable for the promotion of science and the advance
ment of the spirit of the Congregation, and many a

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 307

donation of this kind he himself made to houses of
limited means.

In perusing the lives of the greatest servants of God
we are often impressed by the extraordinary sufferings
and persecutions endured by them, sometimes even at
the hands of their nearest friends, sometimes from
those bound to them by special ties of love and grati
tude. St. Alphonsus, as we know, was no exception to
this almost general rule; and do we not hear the Apostle
to the Gentiles enumerating among his trials those he
was called upon to endure from "false brethren"? Al
mighty God permits His chosen ones to suffer in this
way that they may heap up treasures of merit, may seek
for nothing outside of Himself. Through this ordeal, so
bitter, so galling, to a soul sensitive as his, Father
Neumann had to pass. But like unto the palm-tree,
which raises its stately head in bolder grandeur "the
more the winds beat and the more the rains fall," his
beautiful soul grew nobler, stronger; his virtue was per
fected in the fiery furnace of tribulation.

The time drew near for Father Neumann to be relieved
of the burden of the Vice-Provincialship; but it came
not quickly enough to satisfy the craving of his soul
after the humble station of an inferior,

On January 9, 1849, Father Bernard Hafkenscheid
arrived from Europe in quality of Vice-Provincial, the
Consultors appointed him being Father Neumann and
Father Rumpler. We shall not follow Father Bernard
in the discharge of his new office. Suffice it to say, that
he governed with a firm and secure hand the convents
which he received in a flourishing condition from his
predecessor.

Relieved from the responsibilities of office, Father
Neumann once more breathed freely. His cell was his
favorite resort, the practice of obedience his joy, and to
be able to devote himself unreservedly to the work of
the ministry his highest aim in life.

308 Life of Bishop Neumann.

On August 28, 1850, Father Bernard sailed for Europe
to be present at a meeting of the Superiors of the Con
gregation, leaving Father Neumann to hold his place
during his absence — a period of six months. By this
mark of confidence Father Bernard clearly manifested
his own private opinion of Father Neumann. He re
garded the complaints made of the ex-Vice-Provincial as
wholly unfounded, and by this public act he vindicated
his saintly predecessor. In a letter to New Orleans,
dated January 10, 1851, Father Neumann makes these
remarks: " God be praised we have more work than we
can do! Numerous missions are called for; we are put
ting forth every effort to meet them all. New Orleans

will soon be attended to. Father C is very anxious

to take part in that mission, and so too is your humble
servant."

In the government of the Congregation a great change
had taken place. Q ,Rev. Father Passerat was succeeded,
July i, 1850, by Father Smetena as Vicar-General. The
Congregation in America was definitively raised to a
province, and the houses of St. Alphonsus in Baltimore,
of St. Philomena in Pittsburg, and of the Most Holy
Redeemer in New York, were made Rectorates. Father
Bernard returned, March 20, 1851, as the first Provincial
of the Redemptorists in America.

Father Neumann received his appointment as first
Rector of St. Alphonsus, Baltimore, discharging at the
same time the office of Consultor to the Provincial. As
Rector, he chose for himself the smallest cell in the
house — a room unpleasantly located near to the entrance.
This he did to be at hand for any disagreeable or diffi
cult duty that might present itself; for, esteeming him
self the servant of all, he held himself in readiness for
every emergency. His love for his brethren was truly
paternal; his solicitude was akin to that of a tender
mother for her child. Did a Father fail to return home
at the appointed hour, Father Neumann was all anxiety

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 309

on his account. He would refuse to retire on such occa
sions, so great was his fear for the safety of the absent
one. A certain Father relates that once only did he
receive a severe reprimand, and that was from the gentle
Father Neumann. He, the Father that tells this inci
dent of himself, had been on duty at one of the neigh
boring stations, from which he returned toward midnight.
" Father Rector," he says, "met me at the door, whither
he had repeatedly gone during the evening to make
inquiries of the Brother-Porter concerning me."

In the spring and fall he used to examine the clothing
of the community himself, in order to supply promptly
whatever might be needed. It was with a true father's
joy that he sought to surprise his subjects by causing to
be laid in their cells some new article of clothing instead
of the well-worn garment accustomed to be found there.
He insisted earnestly upon the strict observance of pov
erty; for instance, carelessly to allow crumbs to fall on
the floor, to cut bread on the table-cloth thereby endan
gering the latter, he designated as faults against this
holy vow.

He sought both by word and example to maintain the
community-life among his subjects, whilst at the same
time he was watchful to make things as pleasant as pos
sible to them. In his weekly conferences he often re
peated the words, " Fraternal charity and love for the
Congregation must be the bonds by which its members
will be united into one blessed family." In this, as in all
other things, his own manner of acting afforded an ex
ample for imitation. Always cheerful in recreation, he
entertained his companions with useful and interesting
conversation. He spoke in rather a low tone, and
nothing in his manner could in the least betray a con
sciousness of superior knowledge or mark him out as
holding the first place among his brethren. His inter
course with the learned and the unlearned was therefore
most pleasing and enlivening. Sometimes he would

310 Life of Bishop Neumann.

sing a hymn softly, accompanying himself on the
piano.

If in scientific discussions the Fathers happened to
differ in opinion, — and indeed this was often the case, —
Father Neumann would keep silence until each had
delivered his opinion freely. Then, taking up the thread
of discourse, he would consider the question in its every
bearing and draw conclusions satisfactory to all. His
judgment was received as trustworthy, and in difficult
cases his opinions were held as conclusive. His mild
ness, his gentle considerateness, exhibited in such dis
putes were really admirable; his conversation and writ
ings breathed naught but benevolence. In 1851 he
wrote several letters to his relatives in Bohemia, which
are all expressive of his characteristic gentleness. For
some years he had received no letters from his family.
Now he begs them in the most affectionate terms to
write to him, whilst he thanks for the letters last received.
We subjoin a few passages:

" MY BELOVED FATHER AND VERY DEAR SISTERS:

" Brother Wenceslaus and I had given up all hope of
ever hearing again from our dear home, when we were
most unexpectedly rejoiced by the arrival of a letter from
our dear cousin, George Zahn, and another, a short time
ago, from sister Caroline. We had been long anxiously
desiring to hear from home. I cannot conceive how
your letters could have gone astray. It would be a great
consolation to us to know the date of dear mother's
death, also that of our sister Veronica and all our other
friends and relatives lately deceased, that we may be
able to celebrate their anniversaries.

''We thank the Lord our God for having called us
to this holy Congregation of St. Alphonsus. With the
exception of some slight indisposition, my health has
been excellent; and notwithstanding my constant jour
neying by sea and by land, in steam-cars and on horse-

Labors as Vice- Provincial. 311

back, I have never met with an accident. This special
mark of God's protection I ascribe chiefly to your
prayers. Although no day passes without my longing
to be among my dear relatives and friends, yet I never
regret having devoted myself to the missionary work
here. I recognize it as my vocation to labor for the
honor of God among our poor Germans of North
America. The labors of all my brethren are visibly
blessed by Almighty God, and I confidently hope and
trust that God will keep us, each and all, in His holy
grace, and give us after death the reward promised to
those that have left earthly things to follow Him. In
this reward our dear parents will participate, since they
made the sacrifice of allowing us to leave them. That I
should leave you was, without doubt, the will of God. I
trust He will unite us all in heaven, where there will be
no separation."

In December, 1851, he again wrote to his father:

" The two churches of which we now have charge in
Baltimore are crowded every Sunday, especially at High
Mass. In about six weeks the third church for the
Germans will be finished, and it, too, will be filled on
Sundays. That God has protected us in every danger
and blessed all our labors, we must no doubt ascribe to
your prayers and those of all the friends of the missions.
The world is converted more by fervent and con
tinued prayer than by any other means. We beg you,
therefore, and all our friends and relatives in Prachatitz
and its neighborhood, to offer fervent petitions to the
Lord, along with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, that He
may continue to bless our labors."

The inward peace and happiness that Father Neumann
tasted in his vocation may be detected in the following
words addressed by him one evening in recreation to a
good lay-brother:

"Oh what a blessing it is to live in the Congregation,
especially here in America! Here we can really love

312 Life of Bishop Neiimann.

God. We can labor much for Him, and all so quietly,
quite unnoticed by the world."

In the fall of 1851, about six months previously to
Father Neumann's elevation to the episcopacy, Brother
Athanasius, a very pious and edifying lay-brother living
in the Redemptorist convent of Pittsburg, asserted that
he had had a vision in which he saw Father Neumann
habited in the episcopal robes and environed with
splendor. Father Seelos, Brother Athanasius' Superior,
and himself a disciple of Father Neumann, writing to
the latter about the same time, mentioned it casually,
with a few pleasant words on the same. Father Neu
mann's humility took fright at the mere thought of such
a thing coupled with his name. In his answer to Father
Seelos' letter he says, " Tell that good Brother that, if
he is not already crazed, to pray that he may not become
so." Severe words from the gentle Father Neumann!
The event, however, soon proved the good Brother's
sanity.

During Father Neumann's rectorship at St. Alphonsus',
Baltimore, Archbishop Kenrick was in the habit of pay
ing a weekly visit to the convent. With that heavenly
intuition which springs from nearness to God, the holy
Archbishop had not failed to recognize in- the humble
Redemptorist a soul bearing the same genuine stamp as
his own; he saw in him the saint, and chose him for his
confessor. In one of his visits he communicated to
Father Neumann a piece of intelligence that had come
to him privately, viz., that he, Father Neumann, had
been ^preconized. Bishop of Philadelphia. He added
jokingly, " My dear Father, you had better see about
getting yourself a mitre."

We can imagine Father Neumann's consternation.
Throwing himself on his knees, he begged the Arch
bishop with tears to have compassion on him, to avert
from him a dignity for which he was wholly unsuited.
Moved by his deep humility and unaffected distress, the

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 313

Archbishop promised to use his influence to prevent the
episcopal dignityV being imposed upon him. But Father
Neumann was only half reassured by the Archbishop's
promise. He wrote at once to Father Queloz, the
Procurator-General of the Congregation in Rome, be
seeching him to exert every means in his power to pre
vent the appointment. He did not rest here; he had
recourse to prayer, the efficacy of which he had so often
tested, and sought to prevail upon Almighty God to
spare him so heavy a trial. Any other cross, any other
burden, seemed preferable to the one impending over
him. He begged the Divine Spirit to enlighten those
who had been guilty of so grave an error as to fix their
eyes upon his lowliness in connection with so exalted an
office. He appealed to all the holy souls in the circle of
his acquaintance, and they were not few, to unite their
prayers with his to avert so great a calamity from the
Church and from himself. He had- novenas made in
religious houses to ward off, as he told them, a great
danger from one of the dioceses of America. The
Fathers of his own convent said daily the seven peni
tential psalms for the same end. But Almighty God's
designs were not to be thwarted. He had marked out
this His favored servant for one of the highest stations
in the Church, and the time had come for the accom
plishment of the Divine Will. The light of this humble,
faithful son of St. Alphonsus had shone for many years
with a lustre not to be ignored by any one of those with
whom the duties of his ministry brought him in contact:
now, however, this light was to acquire new brilliancy;
now it was to shed its beams over a still wider field of
action — it was to be set upon a still more honorable
candlestick.

On March 19, 1852, the feast of the glorious patriarch
St. Joseph, Father Neumann after a short absence en
tered his little cell about dusk. As he stepped toward
the small table at which he was accustomed to read and

314 Life of Bishop Neumann.

••{•y *,.'% ->^~>, //// £Uf K.

write, his glance discovered something on it sparkling
and glistening in the dim evening light. He drew near,
and found lying there an episcopal ring and pectoral
cross. Perplexed, and not daring to collect his thoughts,
he hurried to the Brother-Porter to know who had en
tered his room during his absence. " Reverend Father,"
said the Brother, u the Archbishop was here, and went up
to your room as usual to make his confession." This was
enough for poor Father Neumann. The truth dawned
upon his mind; he understood only too well the meaning
of the episcopal insignia laid upon his table. Without a
word he hastened with a faltering step back to his room,
locked the door, and threw himself on his knees. Morn
ing came and found him still kneeling in the same spot
where, in the agony of his soul, he had wrestled with
God through the long hours of night. He had prayed,
and he was heard — but not according to his desires. He
had prayed, and Almighty God, in conformity with His
own eternal designs, granted him the strength to carry
the burden it was His gracious pleasure to lay upon him
— to carry it nobly and generously for the honor of that
same good God, for his own sanctification, and for the
salvation of many souls.

Next morning the Archbishop presented Father Neu
mann the Bulls of his appointment, together with the
formal command of the Holy Father enjoining his accep
tance of the see of Philadelphia.

Father Neumann was a true son of St. Alphonsus; a
Redemptorist heart and soul, his only desire was to live
and die a Redemptorist. Honors and dignities, be they
even ecclesiastical, were thoroughly distasteful to him.
We have not followed him thus far in his saintly career
without arriving at such a conviction; but Rome had
spoken. There was now nothing left to her obedient
son but to recognize in the command of the Holy Father
the declared will of God, and to submit to that adorable
will at any cost.

\

v^/v 0i/\, *~r v y /) J *0

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 315

In compliance with Father Neumann's urgent and reit
erated requests, every effort had been made in Rome to
procure his escape from the dreaded dignity, but all in
vain. Father Queloz, the Procurator-General of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, wrote to the
Provincial at Vienna as follows:

"The news of Father Neumann's nomination to a
Bishopric will doubtless cause you pain. All our efforts
were fruitless. His Eminence Cardinal Altieri, with the
papers in his hands, defended our cause before the Con
gregation of the Propaganda. He had four of the
Cardinals on his side, but the majority voted for Father
Neumann, whom the American Bishops had placed sec
ond on the list. Monsignor^ Barnabo, Secretary of the
Congregation, communicated to His Holiness the result
of the election, and made use of the occasion to say a
word in our behalf. Bu^t -Pius IX. replied, 'I bear the
Redemptorist Fathers in my heart. They have done in
this matter what God willed they should do. I am con
fident that He will not refuse me the light to discern
what the good of the Church in general and of the Con
gregation in particular demands of me. Therefore I
sanction the choice of the Cardinals, and I command
Father Neumann under formal obedience (sub obedientid
formali) to accept the diocese of Philadelphia without
further appeal.' "

The Bulls were expedited on , February i, 1852, and
reached the Archbishop of Baltimore on the evening of
March ipth. After an interview with Father Neumann
the Archbishop fixed upon the 28th of the same month
as the day for the consecration. This date was doubly
memorable in the life of the young Bishop-elect as being
the day of his birth as well as .that of his baptism. On
the next anniversary he would complete his forty-first
yeanyAremarkable coincidence in these dates, and one •
/^noTwithout deep significance, is the fact that Good
\ Friday of the year 1811, the year of Father Neumann's

U

316 Life of Bishop Neumann.

\

' birth, fell upon the 28th of March.) The same date fell
in 1852, the year of his episcopal consecration, upon
Passion-Sunday. It was, as we have remarked, a con
currence of dates and feasts that failed not to make an
impression upon him, in whose life they stand out with
noticeable prominence. Father Neumann recognized in
it an expression of God's designs over him — trials and
sufferings were to be the portion of the cup now pre
sented to his lips. Following out the thoughts thereby
suggested, he chose for his device the words, " Passio
Christi, conforta me! — Passion of Christ, strengthen me!"
The Provincial of the Congregation, Father Bernard,
resolved that the consecration of this, one of its most
humble and most worthy sons, should be attended by
all due pomp and solemnity. He took charge of the
preparations himself, and directed all things connected
with it on a liberal and becoming scale. Meanwhile he
for whom all this stir was being made entered upon a
retreat of eight days, glad to shut himself away for even
that short period from the thought of the break about
j+ to be made in the loved tenor of his conventual life.

'/ **'*' ' j» jfiB ^n^f^f-

On^the^' Sunday preceding the great solemnity, Father
Bernard announced from the pulpit of St. Alphonsus'
that one week from that day, Passion-Sunday,' the
Rector, Father Neumann, would be consecrated in that
church. He also recommended the Bishop-elect to the
prayers of the faithful. " If," said he, " you were at this
•moment to search for Father Rector you would find him
on his knees in prayer, begging from God the strength
and grace necessary for the new and onerous charge
laid upon him."

Father Bernard addressed the community in the same
strain. After holding Father Neumann up to them as a
model of every virtue, as a true Redemptorist, he empha
sized the fact that only by the express command of the
Holy Father had he been induced to accept the episco
pal dignity; that as he had ever been an obedient son of

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 317

St. Alphonsus, he now humbly submitted to the Holy
Father, whatever pain such submission might cost him.

The news of Father Neumann the Redemptorist's
appointment as Bishop of Philadelphia soon spread
throughout Europe and America. It created, of course,
its own share of excitement, and gave rise to varied and
contradictory remarks. Some held that to fill so impor
tant a see as Philadelphia a Bishop of American birth
should have been chosen; that he should be conspicuous
for his eloquence and fine address; that a religious wedded
to prayer and the seclusion of his convent, who shrunk
from ecclesiastical honors and distinctions, was entirely
unsuited for so elevated a dignity. Others, on the con
trary, regarded the new appointment with favor, and
expected much from the Bishop-elect. King Louis of
Bavaria wrote as follows to his chaplain, Rev. Father
Mullen " Father Neumann the Redemptorist has been
appointed Bishop of Philadelphia, and the appointment
has been confirmed by the Holy Father. This is a sub
ject for joy. It will exert a powerful and beneficial
influence not only on the interests of the Church at large,
but it will contribute also in a very particular manner
to the promotion of Christian education, to true culture."

In Philadelphia itself private opinion ran in counter-
currents. Many were in favor of the n^ew appointment;
others (and such are ever to be found), with very little,
perhaps no knowledge of the merits or demerits of the
new incumbent, adopted opposite views; yet all were
edified at the fact of Father Neumann's having been
constrained by a formal obedience from the Holy Father
to accept the dignity.

The..Cathedral of Philadelphia was not at this period
completed; it had in fact but just been commenced.
The Congregation attended the churches in their nearest
vicinity — St. Patrick's, St. John's,Aetc. But two of the
parlors, in the episcopal residence had been fitted up as
^chapel. Here the Holy Sacrifice was offered, the pa-

-

318 Life of Bishop Neumann.

rishioners free to attend if they wished, and the children
were assembled for catechetical instructions. The pas
tor of this little temporary chapel wrote to the Bishop-
elect a letter filled with expressions of the kindest senti
ments. He described the good-will of his future flock,
their devotedness to their diocesan, and ended with the
hope that, with the blessing of Godi.be would effect
grand results in behalf of souls. Father Neumann
answered in the same cordial strain, remarking pleas
antly that he feared his correspondent would be greatly
disappointed in the expectations he had formed of him;
that he viewed him in far too favorable a light.

It will not be uninteresting to hear how old Mr.
Philip Neumann, ,the Bishop-elect's sole surviving par
ent, received the intelligence of the honor conferred on
his son. The first intimation of it was from a priest
who had seen the appointment in one of the newspapers.
He proceeded to offer his congratulations, when the
simple-hearted old gentleman interrupted him with the

words, " Father A , how can you believe such a

thing? Who has dared to ridicule us in this way?"
Shortly after an official entered with the same glad tid
ings, but Mr. Neumann would not listen to him. He
cut short every attempt at explanation with the words,
"Don't bring me such news!" Next came the Reverend
Dean on the same errand, but he too was met with the
reproof, " Reverend Father, are you also so credulous as
to put faith in such rumors ?"

fjA'<±hf ' £4+ * I

It was not till Father Neumann himself wrote to ac
quaint his father of the dignity to which he had been
raised that the venerable old gentleman would credit

what to him seemed utterly incredible. x> •/

OAO/**-/. eJu*f

Very Rev. Father Bernard desired Father Neumann
to write before his consecration a sketch of his own life,
to be handed over to the Congregation. Father Neu
mann complied with his Provincial's command, and
wrote four quarto pages, dated March 27, 1852. He

Labors as Vice-Provincial. 319

concludes with these words: " To-morrow, March 28th,
my birthday, which this year falls on Passion-Sunday, I
shall, if nothing prevents, be consecrated Bishop in St. "f^
Alphonsus' Church, by Most Rev. Archbishop^Kenrick.
But do Thou, O Lord, have mercy tn us! Jesus and
Mary, pity me! Passion of Christ, strengthen me!"

On the eve of this most eventful day in a life so
crowded with highland noble deeds in God's interests,
the day on which 'Father Neumann's consecration was
to take place, numbers of Redemptorist Fathers
arrived in Baltimore from their different houses. They
came to express by their presence the love and respect
they entertained for the, object of the unusual solemnity.
One of them to whom famerNeumaon's humility was
well known, one who fully appreciated the painful emo
tions his appointment must have excited, gave utterance
to some words of sympathy and ? questioned him as to
his feelings upon the occasion. ' rafher Neumann an
swered, "If our Lord gave me the choice either to die
or to accept this dignity, I should prefer to lay down my
life to-morrow rather than be consecrated Bishop; for
my salvation would be more secure at the judgment-
seat of God than it will be if I appear before it burdened
with the responsibility of a bishopric."

320 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER VII.
Father Neumann is raised to the Episcopate.

(k<vir/

EARLY on the morning of Passion-Sunday the
faithful flocked from far and near to St. Alphon-
sus' to witness the sublime ceremony of an episcopal
consecration. Hours before the appointed time the
spacious edifice was already densely crowded. The
Catholic societies of the ,city assembled to join in the

£(tdX. Fl x£ c>

demonstration offered to Father Neumann. A proces
sion was formed headed by the children of the schools
under the charge of the Redemptorists, and closed by
the reverend clergy surrounded by a guard of honor.
The procession moved in silence through Saratoga,
Howard, Franklin, and Charles streets, as far as the
archiepiscopal residence. Here it was joined by the
Archbishop and other dignitaries, when it returned
through Charles and Saratoga streets to St. Alphonsus'
Church, where the young Bishop-elect knelt at the foot
of the altar. The consecrating prelate, Archbishop
Francis Patrick Kenrick, was assisted by Bishop O'Reilly
of Hartford, and Father L/titomme, Superior of St.
Mary's Seminary, Baltimore. Father William Elder,
Professor at Mount St. Mary's, Emmit^sburg (after
ward Archbishop of Cincinnati), and Father Coudenhove
acted as Deacons of Honor. Besides those mentioned,
there were over thirty members of the clergy present in
the sanctuary. I/. Rev. Father ASourin, administrator of
the diocese of Philadelphia, preached on the occasion,
and addressed the new Bishop in the most cordial terms.
His words and the imposing ceremonies made a deep
impression on all present. But when, at the close, the

Raised to the Episcopate. 321

twenty-four Redemptorist scholastics intoned the solemn
Te Deum whilst the newly-consecrated Bishop passed
down the aisle, giving the episcopal blessing to his be
loved parishioners, over whom he had so lovingly and
faithfully presided for years, the whole congregation
melted into tears.

That evening, the evening of a day so memorable for St.
Alphonsus' Church, Bishop Neumann preached his fare
well sermon. In feeling terms he thanked his hearers for
the confidence they had always reposed in him as their
pastor, encouraged them to perseverance in the way of
God, and bequeathed to them as his parting gift a child
like devotion to Mary, ever blessed.

Service over, the German Catholics of Baltimore pre
sented the new Bishop with an address, embodying
thanks for all the good he had effected in their behalf
and regrets at being called upon to part from him.
They congratulated themselves on having had a guide
for whom the common Father of the Faithful had enter
tained so great esteem as to raise him to the dignity of
the episcopate. Deeply moved, Bishop Neumann re
turned thanks for their sentiments in his regard, and
promised ever to be mindful in prayer of the Catholics
of Baltimore.

Not merely by words did his former parishioners ex
press their respectful and grateful love for their pastor:
they manifested the sincerity of their devotedness to
him by deeds. On March 22d it was resolved in general
meeting to give the Bishop a grand serenade before his
departure to his diocese, and to present him a handsome
chalice, a ring, a pectoral cross and chain, all of gold,
together with other episcopal ornaments.

St. Philomena's congregation, Pittsburg, was not un
mindful of the good that the Bishop had done among
them. A delegation from its members waited upon him
to offer congratulations and to present him with a beau
tiful ostensorium.

322 Life of Bishop Neumann.

<k*,

The day following his consecration the Bishop visited
the schools and earnestly exhorted the children to life
long fidelity to their God.

And now the voice of duty, that powerful underlying
principle of John Neumann's life, called. He must
away to the new scene of future labors in his Lord's
vineyard. The call was heard and obeyed. Unhesitat
ingly, his heart filled with that deep, abiding trust in
God which we have so often seen and reverently ad
mired in him he set out on Tuesday morning, March
3oth,, for his episcopal city of Philadelphia.

The burden so dreaded was upon him. He took up
his cross and followed Him, "the Way, the Truth, and
the Life."

CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, PHILADELPHIA.

PART IV.

FATHER NEUMANN AS BISHOP OF PHILA
DELPHIA.

1852-1860.

CHAPTER I.
The Diocese of Philadelphia.

THE diocese of Philadelphia is one of the oldest
and largest in the United States, as a brief glance
at its history will show. In 1852, when Father Neu
mann entered upon its government as its fourth Bishop,
it embraced two thirds of the State of Pennsylvania, the
western part of New Jersey, and the whole of Delaware.
We may form an idea of the extent of its territory
when we remember that since 1868 five new dioceses
have been formed out of it, leaving it still one of the
largest in the States.

At a remote period Catholic missionaries made their
way to Pennsylvania to administer to the settlers the
consolations of our holy religion. ; But the first mention
made of the existence of Catholicity in Philadelphia we
find in~ a~4etfcer written by the founder of the State,
William Penn. According to it, an aged priest in 1686
held divine service for the Catholic settlers in a frame
building on the northwest corner of Front and Walnut
streets. It is certain that in the year 1708 the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated in Philadelphia,

^_ : :*

324 Life of Bishop Neumann.

fijL**,n**

since in that year complaints were launched against
Governor James Logan that, in spite of the rigid laws
of England, he had permitted Catholics to hold divine
service. In 1733 Governor Gordon disapproved the
building of St. Joseph's Church which Father Greaton
had erected in Fourth Street. The governor stigma
tized it as a "Popish Mass-house." Yet in the decrees
of Divine Providence the time had been determined for
the fetters placed by England upon the Church in
America to be removed. This was effected by the
Revolutionary War of lTfi;f The freedom of the States
from the English yoke, Drought with it also the inde
pendence of the Church. The French and the Spanish
soldiers, our Catholic allies, had with them their chap
lains, who, little heeding the laws of England against
the Church, held public service for full congregations
of both soldiers and officers. This, as a contemporary
writer remarks, was a novel sight for American sec
tarians. Partly from curiosity, partly through polite
ness, the officers of the Federal troops accompanied
their allies to divine service, and this contributed in no
small degree to awaken among the masses a disposition
more favorable to Catholicity.

After the successful close of the war, a solemn Te
Deum was sung in St. Joseph-'^, in thanksgiving to
the Lord of Hosts for the victory granted the Federal
arms. The Holy Sacrifice was offered on the same
occasion, antf /Rev. Fatne7'A BeeUtaie, chaplain of the
Spanish Embassy, delivered a most eloquent sermon.
The Marquis de la Lucerne had invited to the solemnity
the members of the United States Congress and the
highest officers of the State of Pennsylvania. The invi
tation was accepted; even Generals Washington and La
Fayette were present. A public recognition was there
by given to such Catholics as Carroll, Barr, Moylan,
Fitzsimmons, who had sacrificed much for their country,
and also to the brave soldiers of the same holy faith

The Diocese of Philadelphia. 325

who had ventured their all for liberty. After the inde
pendence of the United States had been proclaimed and
the free exercise of Catholic worship secured by the
new Constitution, the Catholics, ever ready to make
sacrifices, began to erect churches for the exercise of
their holy religion. The Germans, though few in num
ber at that early period, were^ not behind in their efforts ^ t
to uphold the faith. In 1787 they erected on the cor
ner of Sixth and Spruce streets the church of the Holy
Trinity, which was dedicated on November 26, 1789.
A few years later the Augustinian Fathers built St. / 7
Augustine's in Fourth Street. At the beginning of the
present century, therefore, four Catholic churches were
already in existence within the precincts of Philadelphia.

When, in 1808, Baltimore was raised to an archiepisco-
pal see, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Bards-
town, respectively, became new dioceses. The first ~^n
Bishop of Philadelphia, Rev. Michael Egan, was conse
crated October 28, 1810, by Archbishop Carroll, irTSt.
Peter's Church, Baltimore. The Baltimore diocese com
prised an extensive territory, but numbered only four
teen priests, of whom seven belonged to the Society of
Jesus and four were Augustinians. Bishop Egan was
succeeded by Bishop Conwell, who died April 22, 1842,
at the advanced age of ninety-five.

On June 6, 1830, feev. Francis Patrick Kenrick,,was
made Coadjutor of the aged Bishop, with the right of
succession. As Coadjutor and, later on, as the third
Bishop of Philadelphia he was most active and zealous
in the government of his large diocese. The great
learning of this prelate, which has been characterized
as exhaustive, together with his eminent holiness, has
elicited for him unanimous and well-deserved praise.

August 19, 1851, saw Bishop Kenrick transferred to
the archiepiscopal see of Baltimore. He was succeeded,
as we have already seen, by Father Neumann, C.SS.R.,
the subject of this biography.

326 Life of Bishop Neicmann.

CHAPTER II. ^

JK^.S

Bishop Neumann's Arrival in Philadelphia.

THE fame of Bishop Neumann's eminent virtues
had long preceded his entrance into his diocese;
and when the clergy of Philadelphia met in council to
determine upon the worthy reception of their new
Bishop, one of the gentlemen arose and spoke as fol
lows: "Reverend sirs, I am acquainted with the humil
ity and modesty of our new Bishop. He is no friend to
worldly pomp, or splendor, or public demonstrations; in
fact, such a reception would annoy him exceedingly. I
therefore propose, as a fitting demonstration of our
cordial welcome to him, to establish a new school, and
explain to him on his arrival that in doing so we sought
to give expression to our joy at his appointment as
Bishop of Philadelphia."

The proposal was esteemed highly judicious and
met with unanimous approval. The work was begun
at once. When Bishop Neumann arrived in the city
and found a number of the clergy assembled at the rail
way station to escort him to his residence, his counte
nance beamed with joy, and he exclaimed, " Oh, how I
thank you, gentlemen, for this quiet but cordial recep
tion! It is just what I wished."

Again was his happiness augmented when, in a short
address, he learned that the establishment of a new
school, and not external pomp, was to celebrate his
entrance into his diocese. In a few cordial words the
Bishop acknowledged their kindly interest, and declared
that they had rightly estimated his heart's desires ;
that works such as they now proposed would greatly

Arrival in Philadelphia. 327

lighten for him the cares of his office. On that same
evening the German Catholic societies of St. Peter's
assembled before the episcopal residence and welcomed
their Bishop with music and addresses. He thanked
them for their expressions of love and respect, exhorted
them to live as true children of Holy Church, and
dismissed them, pleased and gratified, with his paternal
benediction.

One of Bishop Neumann's first acts in his new capa
city was to visit the prison in which two brothers were
awaiting the execution of their condign sentence for
' murder. The fatal day was drawing near, but the un
fortunate men still obstinately refused every spiritual
assistance. Hour after hour did the zealous prelate
remain in the cell of the condemned, until at last, by
his meekness and prayers, those hard hearts were soft
ened, and he was made glad by hearing them ask for the
Sacraments, which they received with sincere sorrow
and devotion on the very day of their execution.

The sentiments and intentions that animated the
young Bishop we may learn from his first Pastoral
Letter, which he issued the second week after his conse
cration. It reads as follows:

" JOHN NEPOMUCEN^, by the grace of God and favor of the

Apostolic See Bishop of Philadelphia, to the Clergy and

Faithful of the diocese of Philadelphia.

" Grace be to you and peace from God our Father,
and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Venerable Brethren of the Clergy and dearly beloved
Children of the Laity: When it was first announced to
us that our Holy Father Pius IX. had appointed us to
the pastoral care and government of this important por
tion of the flock of Christ, we must confess that the
heavy charge filled our heart with anxiety. To leave
those from whom we had experienced for many years
the most cordial affection; to enter upon an entirely

328 Life of Bishop Neumann.

new sphere of duty; to assume the government of so vast
a number of souls, who would look to us to lead them
on to our heavenly home — all this urged us to implore
the Lord to remove the chalice from us. We have, how
ever, been compelled to bow in obedience to the suc
cessor of St. Peter, knowing that whatsoever he binds
on earth shall be bound also in heaven; and submitting
to the will of God, we humbly hope that He who hath
commenced in us what the Apostle St. Paul calls "a
good work" will graciously grant us that sufficiency
which is required to bring it to perfection. This our
trust in God has been much strengthened by the kind
encouragement we have received from the Most Rev.
Archbishop Francis Patrick Kenrick, who through so
many years of untiring labor endeared himself to you
all. He has repeatedly assured us of the zeal and at
tachment he had experienced on the part of your rev
erend pastors. Often has he spoken in terms of praise
of the piety by which you had consoled him in the midst
of his toils; of your liberality, which had called into ex
istence and supported so many charitable institutions,
and erected edifices to the glory of the living God which
will bear testimony to future generations of your lively
faith, prompt generosity, and practical charity, when you
are enjoying in His presence the eternal rewards He lias
in store for those who love Him.

" Since we have occupied our episcopal see we have
daily received unequivocal marks of attachment and
obedience. The former administrator of the diocese, the
Very Rev. Edward J. Sourin, has accepted the office of our
Vicar-General, much to our satisfaction. The cordial
welcome we have met in the different religious houses
and congregations we have visited, has confirmed our
happiest anticipation as to the faith, piety, and zeal of
the flock committed to our care by the Divine Pastor and
Bishop of our souls. For all His mercies we return
thanks to Him, * the Holy One and the True, who hath

Arrival in Philadelphia. 329

the key of David, who hath given before us a door
opened,' which, we trust in God, no man will be able to
shut.

" Venerable brethren, we beseech you most earnestly
to assist us always by your prayers for us, that we may
finish our course and the ministry of the Word which we
have received from Jesus Christ; that we may take heed
to ourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy
Ghost has placed us, a Bishop, to rule the Church of
God, which He has purchased with His own precious
blood; and that we may use without fear or wavering
that power which the Lord hath given us to the edifica
tion of His Church. On our part, we shall not cease to
entreat the Good Shepherd to increase His grace in your
hearts, that as men of God you ' may fly all worldly de
sires and pursue justice, piety, faith, charity, patience,
meekness; that you may keep the commandments with
out spot, blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ.'

" And those amongst you, beloved children, who, listen
ing to the invitation of the Most Holy, have left father,
mother, brethren, and sisters to dedicate yourselves to
the service of Jesus Christ in poverty, chastity, and obe
dience, truly have ye chosen the better part. Strive,
therefore, fervently to render yourselves ever more pleas
ing to your Divine Spouse, for your life is hidden with
Christ in God. Put ye on, therefore, as the elect of
God, holy and beloved, mercy, benignity, humility,
modesty, patience; bearing with one another, and for
giving one another if any have a complaint against an
other. But above all these things have charity, which is
the bond of perfection. And when Christ shall appear,
who is your life, then shall you also appear with Him in
glory.

" Beloved children of the laity, my joy and my crown,
if you be faithful in those things which ye have both
learned and received, we exhort you with the great

330 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Apostle that you ' may be blameless and sincere children
of God, without reproof in the midst of this world; hat
ing that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good;
loving one another with the charity of brotherhood; in
spirit fervent, serving the Lord; to no man rendering
evil for evil; providing good things not only in the
sight of God, but also in the sight of all men. And
whosoever shall follow this rule, may peace be upon
them and mercy; and may my God supply all your
wants, according to His riches, in glory in Christ
Jesus!

" On your zeal and charity, next to the good pleasure
of the Almighty, we must continue to rely for the com
pletion of several important works commenced by our
most reverend predecessor. Among them, not only on
account of the grandeur of the work, but even more in
consequence of the heavy expense we must incur while
it remains in its present unfinished state, we especially
commend to your attention the Cathedral of SS. Peter
and Paul. We are not unmindful, beloved brethren, of
your many sacrifices for the sake of your religion. We
cannot be insensible how greatly your generous devotion
has contributed to the diffusion of truth and virtue, and
to the relief of suffering humanity. But whilst the grad
ual increase of wealth on every side, the accumulation of
all the comforts and luxuries of life, attest the prosperity
to which this favored country has already attained, in
which prosperity many of you participate, let us beware
lest the reproaches of the prophet should prove well
founded in our regard: 'This people saith, The time is
not yet come to build the house of the Lord. And the
word of the Lord came by the hand of Aggeus the
Prophet, saying, Is it time for you to dwell in ceiled
houses and this house be desolate? And now thus saith
the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts to consider your ways.
You have sowed much and brought in little; you have
looked for more, and behold, it came less; and you

Arrival in Philadelphia. 331

brought it home, and I blowed it away: why? saith the
Lord of Hosts. Because my house is desolate, and you
make haste, every man to his own house.' To these com
plaints of the Holy Spirk what answer did Israel give ?
With zealous emulation, they went in and did the work
of the Lord of Hosts, their God; and the temple was not
yet finished, when they heard — ' From this day I will bless
you. Take courage, all ye people of the land, and per
form: fear not, for I am with you — and my spirit in the
midst of you, saith the Lord of Hosts.'

"Though circumstances do not now allow us to dwell
at length on the subject, we avail ourselves of this earli
est opportunity to express our approbation of the efforts
which have lately been made in several congregations
to organize parochial schools. We exhort the pastors,
and all who have at heart the best interests of youth, to
spare no efforts to ensure success. Whatever difficulties
may at first attend, and even obstruct, this most desirable
undertaking will be gradually overcome by mutual
good-will and co-operation.

" It is with grateful joy we make known to you that
our Holy Father has again offered to the faithful
throughout the world a plenary indulgence in the form
of a jubilee; the most salutary effects, both for the Church
and society, having resulted from that proclaimed within
the last few years. Amid the many trials and profound
sorrows which have marked his pontificate, he has been
consoled by the accounts that have reached him from
every part of Christendom of the multitudes who,
with humble and contrite hearts, have thronged our
churches to hear the Word of God, to purify their souls
in the sacrament of reconciliation and receive the Holy
Eucharist; performing, meanwhile, with humble and de
vout obedience the other spiritual exercises which, as
the Vicar of Jesus Christ, he had enjoined upon them.
Thousands in every country, who had been for years
astray from the way of truth and salvation, have been

332 Life of BisJiop Neumann.

enlightened by the grace of God to forsake the shadows
of death and to commence a truly Christian life.

" Notwithstanding this happy result, our chief Pastor
is not without apprehension for the future welfare of the
Church and of society. He beholds the dangers which
threaten both ; the designs of men who, deceived by a
vain philosophy and their false ideas of liberty, despise
all lawful authority, whether civil or ecclesiastical, per
vert the minds of inexperienced youth, and expose to
contempt the most sacred rites and institutions of reli
gion. Aware that from no quarter can they expect more
determined and constant opposition than from the Apos
tolic See, it is therefore against this venerable authority
that they direct their most violent attacks. In these
dangers, what other course remains for the friends of
order, justice, and virtue than to recur to the Almighty,
who is our hope and our salvation, and to pray without
ceasing that He would deign to look down upon the
nations, to enlighten their erring minds, to purify their
hearts, and subdue that rebellious will which now leads
them to revolt against Him and His Church, ' that, be
ing delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may
serve Him without fear, in holiness and justice, all the
days of our life ' ?

[Here the Bishop mentions the conditions for gaining
the indulgence of the jubilee, and recommends in the
following words to the prayers of the faithful the Coun
cil which the Bishops of the United States were to hold
in Baltimore:]

" You are probably aware, beloved brethren, that the
First National Council will soon be held in Baltimore,
its opening being fixed for the fourth Sunday after Eas
ter. Every faithful member of the Church in the United
States will regard it as an imperative duty to invoke
the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of truth, wisdom, and piety —
to preside over its deliberations, that all its proceedings
and enactments may tend to the glory of Jesus Christ

Arrival in Philadelphia. 333

and the more perfect establishment of His kingdom in
all hearts. To this end, we direct that the collect,
De Spiritu Sancto, be added in the Mass whenever the
rubrics allow it ; the religious communities will recite
daily the Litany of the Blessed Virgin ; and the same
or other prayers for this object we exhort the faithful of
our diocese to offer to God until the close of the
Council.

"And now, brethren, commending you to God and to
the word of His grace, our daily prayer for you is 'that
your charity may more and more abound in knowledge
and in all understanding ; that you may approve the
better things ; that you may be sincere and without
offence unto the day of Christ, replenished with the fruit
of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and
praise of God.' May our dear Mother Mary and her
Divine Son bless you all ! Amen."

334 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER III.
Bishop Neumann's Pastoral Charge.

RICHARD H. CLARKE says, in his work entitled
" Lives of the Deceased Bishops of the Catholic
Church in the United States," " Bishop Neumann chiefly
distinguished his administration by continuing and in
creasing the work of his predecessor; in new and impor
tant undertakings of his own; ... in promoting piety
and faith amongst his people."

The Bishop's first care for the judicious government
of his vast diocese was to examine closely into its con
dition. In this examination he was successful, as his
subsequent regulations prove. On the very first Sunday
after his installation, he performed the ceremony of
blessing the palm and preached in St. John's, his pro-
Cathedral. That afternoon he administered the Sacra
ment of Confirmation at St. Patrick's, and preached
again that night at St. Joseph's. No Sunday or holy-day
passed without his preaching in one or several churches.
During the first weeks of his residence in Philadelphia
he visited all the religious communities, the orphan
asylums, the hospitals, etc., informing himself as to their
spiritual and temporal condition. Everywhere was he
received with respect and treated with confidence. His
whole demeanor bespoke him a true father who sought
only the good of every member of his large family.
Both clergy and laity called on him frequently for ad
vice and consolation in their doubts and difficulties.

Well aware that not the city of Philadelphia alone
claimed his care, Bishop Neumann set out as soon as pos
sible to make his pastoral visitation, in which he included
(this being the first time he performed the duty) the small-

Bishop Neumanns Pastoral Charge. 335

est and most distant country stations. His custom ever
after was to visit the larger places of his diocese every
year, the smaller at least once in two years. He remained
several days in each parish, instituting a minute inquiry
into their actual condition, in order to remedy as far
as practicable any abuses or evils that might exist.
His pastoral visit was, at the same time, something of a
mission for the people, for he preached to them and gave
special instructions to the children. The daily exercises
he mapped out for such occasions were like those of a
spiritual retreat. From early morn till late at night he
was open to all — all were at liberty to communicate to
him, their good pastor, whatever they might have on
their mind. The confessional was the chosen theatre of
his activity. The faithful rejoiced to be able to confess
to their Bishop, to lay open to him the wounds of their
soul, and to draw consolation from his paternal heart.
And there was yet another reason why they should ex
ult. In all parts of his diocese he found some who could
not confess to their pastors in their native tongue; but
the Bishop, it was generally known, was conversant in
almost every language spoken. If he met with some
scandal in a parish, he left no means untried to remove
it, and his efforts were generally crowned with success.
In this way did the young Bishop spend his days. His
labors were so rich in blessings that even during the
first years of his administration he acquired a perfect
insight into the state of every parish under his jurisdic
tion. He himself drew up a map on which every one
was properly located. The fervor of his flock was so
great, that wherever twenty or twenty-five Catholic
families were found, there they petitioned to build a
church. But prudence often obliged the Bishop to mod
erate their zeal and defer the fulfilment of their gener
ous design. During the first five years of his episcopacy
he opened over fifty churches. In 1853 he wrote to his
venerable father:

336 Life of Bishop Neumann.

"The past summer was spent, for the most part, in
making the visitation of my diocese, a work not unac
companied by fatigue and privation, but which, never
theless, affords abundant consolation. Our Catholics
continue to increase in numbers, and they exhibit a fer
vent love for their holy religion. Last summer twenty
churches were built and paid for out of the collections
taken up in their respective parishes. Six of these
churches are for the Germans. Here in Philadelphia
four other churches are now being erected. The Cathe
dral will be of stone, the others of brick."

The Bishop's designs for the welfare of his flock were
not, however, always seconded; sorrow and vexation,
caused by certain self-opinionated individuals, were not
unknown to him. But his patient kindness, his gentle
ness, above all his intercession at the throne of grace,
generally overcame the obstinacy of those that had been
blinded by passion. On taking charge of the see of
Philadelphia, Bishop Neumann found Trinity Church-
under interdict, and the feeling of a certain party in
this the oldest German parish in the city against eccle
siastical authority running high. The prudence and
firmness evinced by the Bishop in the unhappy affair
soon brought things to a crisis. The most unruly mem
bers were justly dealt with by the highest court in the
land, whilst the better disposed made their peace with
their lawful superiors.

As in the past when only a simple missionary, so now
as chief pastor of one of the principal sees of the United
States, Bishop Neumann showed forth the same burning
zeal for the work of the missions. He procured them
for many churches of his diocese during the first years
of his episcopate, and sought by his own presence at
the exercises, joined to his prayers for their success, to
animate the faithful to profit by them for their souls'
salvation. Nothing could equal his joy and consolation
on beholding them well attended. The sight of the
;

Bishop Neumanns Pastoral Charge. 337

wonderful and persevering assiduity of the crowds that
thronged the churches early and late was a blessed one
for him, thirsting as he did for souls.

In one of the larger parishes of the city there existed,
unhappily, an unusual number of mixed marriages
which had been contracted before Protestant ministers.
The pastor of said parish was very severe toward these
careless Catholics whose indifference and disobedience
to Holy Church had rendered their reconciliation with
God most difficult. To bring back these stray sheep
into the fold of the Lord and Master, the Bishop went
himself during the mission, to the church in question,
and requested the Fathers to send him all the delin
quents of this class. He was obeyed; and this faithful
imitator of the Good Shepherd had the consolation of
reconciling many repentant sinners to their God.

If the good Bishop were wholly powerless in the pre
vention of an evil, he did what he could to diminish it as
much as possible. A father whose daughter would not
abandon her intention to marry her Protestant suitor
came to the Bishop and imparted to him his trouble.
The Bishop sent for the deluded girl, reminded her of
the innumerable evils likely to result from such unions,
and ended by laying before her the formal prohibition
of the Church. The girl listened, but the paternal
admonitions addressed to her were without effect; she
remained obstinately resolved on her first purpose. The
Bishop, seeing that further remonstrances would be un
availing, reluctantly accorded her a dispensation, warn
ing her, however, that many trials were in store for her,
and that she would live to repent of her rash step.
The prediction was, alas ! literally fulfilled. The un
happy girl did, indeed, live to expiate by years of
bitter sorrow her act of disobedience to both parent and
ecclesiastical superior.

True shepherd as he was, Bishop Neumann was ever
ready to sympathize with any member of his flock in

338 Life of Bishop Neumann.

misfortune. Witness the following fact. It has long
been an established custom for the children belonging
to the different parishes to make an annual excursion
into the country, there to spend a day in cheerful and
innocent recreation of mind and body. In 1856 the
young people of St. Michael's Church had long looked
forward to July iyth, the day appointed for their picnic.
They started at an early hour for Fort Washington,
about fourteen miles from the city. The^pastor of the
church, Rev. Daniel Sheridan, the teachers of the
school, and many of the parents and friends of the
children formed part of the happy band, and they
were determined to make it a gala-day for their inno
cent young charges. The children numbered seven hun
dred, and ten cars had been chartered to bear them to
their destination. Smiles played on every countenance;
young hearts beat high with expectation of fun and
frolic and freedom from restraint for one day, at least.
And older hearts, hearts chastened by the cares and
strife of busy life, were scarcely less jubilant, for theirs
was to be the pleasing task of contributing to the enjoy
ment of the little ones. But, alas ! a sudden check, a
fearful silencing of innocent mirth and gleeful prattle !
As they neared their destination, shortly after six
o'clock, an appalling accident occurred. The excursion-
train ran into another coming from an opposite direc
tion, and that with such force as to dash both locomo
tives to pieces. The cars caught fire. Sixty-four killed,
among them the lamented Father Sheridan, and seventy-
nine wounded were dragged from the burning debris.
Consternation seized upon the community at large; sor
row clouded once happy firesides. The lamentations of
grief-stricken relatives and friends can better be imagined
than expressed. Bishop Neumann was absent from
the city at the time, administering the Sacrament of -
Confirmation in distant quarters of his diocese. No
sooner was he informed of the dire catastrophe than he

Bishop Neumanns Pastoral Charge. 339

returned in haste to Philadelphia, to offer assistance and
consolation to his bereaved flock. He visited the
wounded in the hospitals, tenderly exhorting them to
patience and resignation, instructing them how to unite
their sufferings with those of the Man-God in atonement
for sin and in return for His infinite love toward us.
He consoled the afflicted parents and relatives by his
paternal sympathy, sweetly suggesting powerful motives
for resignation to the Divine Will. His affectionate
heart bled at the thought of the sorrowful ending of
that long-expected, long- to-be-remembered iyth of July.

It is needless for us to say what every reader may
glean from the foregoing pages, that the saintly Bishop
Neumann lived entirely for his diocese. When at home,
the following was the order of his day: At five o'clock
he made meditation in his own room, and at the half-
hour repaired to his chapel, to which part of the first
floor of the episcopal residence was devoted. There, at
six, he celebrated Mass served by two of the seminari
ans. During the Mass which followed he made his
thanksgiving, then heard confessions, recited the Divine
Office, and partook of his frugal breakfast. The whole
day after this, often till late at night, was given up to
the business of his diocese and to visits from both
clergy and laity. Nor was this all: the hours of rest
were often broken in upon, in order to attend to his
correspondence and perform his accustomed devotions.

Toward the close of 1853 he wrote to Rev. Father
Holba, one of his fellow-students:

"My present position is indeed laborious, as I have
no one to help me; but such is the case with all
Bishops in America. God will assist me, since He be
stows so many blessings on the Church in this country.
This confidence helps me to bear my trials, and even
makes them a source of joy to me, as they contribute to
His greater honor and glory."

When occupied with the visitation of his diocese

340 Life of Bishop Neumann.

the days were too short for his zeal, for he was then
Bishop, pastor, missionary, all at the same time. He
preached daily at stated hours, gave familiar instruc
tions, and heard confessions from early in the morning
till late at night. In the " Lives of the Deceased
Bishops" we read: " No priest spent more time in the
confessional than Bishop Neumann." In his solicitude
for every member of his flock, he learned the Irish
language, as there were many of that nationality un
able to make their confession in English, and even
Irish priests were not familiar with their native tongue.
There is a pleasing little incident connected with the
above. A good old Irishwoman had vainly sought for
one to hear her confession in her own language; but
again and again was she dismissed with the discourag
ing information that the priest did not understand
Irish. At last Divine Providence led the good old
woman to Bishop Neumann. He received her with his
accustomed kindness and, to her intense satisfaction,
heard her confession in her own dear tongue. " Thanks
be to God !" cried she, as she wended her way home
ward, " thanks be to God! We now have an Irish Bishop."
Bishop Neumann claimed no distinctions; the crosier
and mitre made no change in him. Simple and humble,
he never dictated; and when making his visitation,
his Mass was always celebrated at the hour appointed
by the pastor of whatever church he might happen to
be at. When administering Confirmation, he usually
addressed his audience on the means to preserve and in
crease the grace then received. His great anxiety was that
the candidates for this Sacrament of the strong should be
well instructed and sufficiently prepared for its worthy
reception. On the eve of the day appointed for its
administration he generally gave instructions himself,
and if he found the candidates ignorant of what they
ought to know, he postponed the ceremony. In such
cases he would not hesitate to employ several days in giv-

Bishop Neumann's Pastoral Charge. 341

ing instructions, at which he desired the pastor to attend.
The people everywhere showed the greatest confidence
in their Bishop. They approached him without con
straint, and communicated to him their wishes and their
sorrows. The pastors of the different stations usually
accompanied him to the next on his route, and faithfully
seconded him in his efforts for the welfare of his flock.

342 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER IV.

The Establishment of Catholic Schools in the
Diocese of Philadelphia.

BISHOP NEUMANN'S first care on taking posses
sion of his see was to erect Catholic schools in
every parish. Even previously to their Bishop's arrival,
the Catholic community of Philadelphia were aware that
their new Bishop directed special attention to the pro
motion of Catholic education. All eagerly awaited his
first Pastoral Letter, and they were not disappointed.
The Bishop clearly expressed his sentiments. "Our
Catholic youth," he -said, "can be saved only by Catholic
schools:" which words were embodied also in his first ser
mon after his installation. A reverend gentleman pres
ent says: "The Bishop's sermon respecting St. Joseph
clearly unfolded to his hearers his views on Catholic
education. He openly declared his firm resolution, with
God's help, to begin and carry out that work of vital im
portance, the establishment of Catholic schools. Per
suasively and emphatically he exhorted parents to give
their children Catholic training, to enforce their attend
ance at Mass and the other services of religion, to edu
cate them at home both by word and example, but
above all to send them to schools in which they would
be taught under the eye of the Church.

"These words are for us a sign," continues the same
reverend gentleman, "that the day is not far distant
when in Philadelphia there will be no church without
its school in which the children of the parish may re
ceive a Christian education."

After mature reflection upon the means suited to the

Catholic Schools in Philadelphia. 343

end in view, the Bishop at once set to work. On April
28, 1852, he invited the pastors of the various congrega
tions and several prominent members of the laity to
assemble at the episcopal residence for a conference
touching the interests of the question in hand. He
opened the meeting himself with an animated discourse
explanatory of its object. He laid down as his unshaken
conviction that for Catholic children Catholic schools
are an absolute necessity in order to educate them in the
faith, form them into good and useful members of the
Church and of society, and secure their eternal salva
tion. The Bishop's sentiments were heartily approved
by the assembly, several of whom, both priests and lay
men, arose and expressed their concurrence in his views.
All agreed as to the indispensability of Catholic schools,
and declared that no sacrifice could be too great for the
furtherance of the Bishop's designs. A committee was
appointed to consult on the best means to use, and the
secretary was directed to notify all absent pastors of the
resolutions adopted and invite them to the next meet
ing.

This was held a few days later, May 5th, and, to the
Bishop's satisfaction, it was a full one. The resolutions
drawn up by the committee were read and unanimously
adopted; a central "Committee for the Education of
Catholic Youth" was appointed. It consisted of the
reverend pastors of the different congregations and two
of the laity from each. The Bishop, as president, was to
give his sanction to all resolutions.

The business of this committee was twofold: first, to
deliberate upon some practical method of instruction
without, however, interfering with the finances of the
different schools, the appointment of teachers, or the in
troduction of text-books, etc.; secondly, by the collec
tion of monthly contributions it was likewise to assist
in the maintenance of such schools as might be unable
to support themselves.

344 Life of Bishop Neumann.

These meetings were held every month at the Bishop's
residence, and the proceedings forwarded to every priest
in the diocese. The Bishop, as president, was never ab
sent from his post, unless prevented by his pastoral visi
tation or other pressing affairs. In such cases he was
careful to notify his Vicar-general to preside as vice-
president. Should it happen that Bishops or prominent
laymen from other dioceses were staying in the city at
the time, Bishop Neumann never failed to solicit their
presence. He used to introduce them himself to the
gentlemen assembled, and invite them to say a few words
in favor of the good cause. In this way he sought to
win friends and supporters for the noble enterprise of
Catholic education.

The Bishop lent his encouragement not only in a gen
eral way, but he also embraced every opportunity of
manifesting his interest even in minor details. The
parochial schools claimed his special attention. On his
visitations he would gather round him the children of
the various parishes, to give them instructions; and if
there was a school attached to the church, he always
visited it to encourage both pastors and parents, as well
as the little ones themselves, to renewed exertions. He
often attended the public examinations and questioned
the pupils himself. His presence drew thither their par
ents and friends, the halls were filled, and all were ani
mated with new zeal. That the reader may form some
idea of Bishop Neumann's fatherly deportment on such
occasions, we shall here cite one from among the many
such examinations which he thus honored. After ad
dressing the children a few kind words calculated to
inspire confidence, they were questioned in catechism
and the other branches usually taught. The children,
encouraged by the gentleness and the manifest interest
of their good Bishop, answered well and satisfactorily;
the most proficient received premiums from his hand,
after which he arose and pronounced an impressive dis-

Catholic Schools in Philadelphia. 345

course which embraced the parents' even more than the
children's instruction. At its conclusion, one of the lads
stepped forward and, in the name of his companions, pre
sented the Bishop a beautiful crucifix, begging him to
accept it as a token of their filial reverence, and to pray
for them as often as his glance rested upon it. The good
Bishop was visibly touched by this innocent expression
of respect; he graciously accepted it as a valued offering
from the little ones of his flock. In making his acknowl
edgments, he expatiated upon the pleasure he felt at
receiving the image of our Lord from the hands of his
children. He expressed the hope that throughout their
whole life they would remain faithful to the wholesome
Catholic instruction received at school, and persevere till
death in the practice of the lessons there inculcated;
thus they would become useful members of society,
worthy children of the Church, and insure their claims
to the kingdom of eternal life. He remarked that he
had heard a very good account of their school, but
now he was convinced of its truth, having seen for him
self the progress it had made under its worthy pastor
and efficient teachers. All bore evidence to the solid
Christian education there bestowed. The pupils had
given satisfaction in catechism, in vocal and instrumental
music, in declamation, etc. He saw that their mind was
being cultivated, their memory exercised, and he doubted
not that the culture of the precious soul far surpassed
that of which external signs had just been given. Turn
ing to the parents, the Bishop once more exhorted them
to watch over their children, to follow up the instruc
tions received at school by setting their little ones a good
example in the home-circle. In conclusion, he again
thanked the children for their beautiful present, and
assured them that he would not only think of them when
he looked upon it, but that he would remember them
also at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The schools increased year by year. In the last

346 Life of Bishop Neumann.

months of his life the holy Bishop could say: "Almighty
God has so wonderfully blessed the work of Catholic
education that nearly every church of my diocese has
now its school." Emulation arose among the teachers
from the well-known fact of the Bishop's deriving un
bounded pleasure from his visits to the parochial schools.
Such emulation was beneficial and led to gratifying
results on all sides.

The falling off in attendance at the public schools of
the city became remarkable ; vacant seats might be
counted by thousands. The circumstance was so notice
able as to attract the attention of the press. The follow
ing lines appeared in one of the dailies: " We regret to
see that the most esteemed denomination in this city
has withdrawn its confidence from the public schools.
Serious defects must exist in our school-system; authori
ties should therefore investigate and improve the condi
tion of the said schools."

We must not conclude, however, that Bishop Neu
mann encountered no difficulties in his work for Catholic
education; to this undertaking, as to every other destined
to rob hell of its prey, obstacles were not wanting. But
Bishop Neumann's was a nature that knew how to pray
and bide God's own time. When apparently insurmount
able barriers arose between him and the accomplishment
of his laudable projects, he could calmly lay the latter
aside and wait for more propitious days. If dread of labor
and expense stood in the way, his wonderful prudence
and energy of will soon discovered some means to over
come both. He had repeatedly enjoined upon the pastor
of one of the largest parishes in Philadelphia the duty
of erecting a school, but his admonitions fell unheeded.
The invariable reply was: "It is impossible just now."
At last the Bishop said to the dilatory clergyman : " If
it is indeed impossible for you to establish a school, I
shall have to look for another to fill your place. He
will perhaps find it possible to secure a Christian edu-

Catholic Schools in Philadelphia. 347

cation for the children of that parish." This was
enough. The reverend gentleman promised to fulfil
the Bishop's injunctions. He set to work, built a
school-house, and opened with a thousand children the
very first day.

" The parochial schools of the whole diocese of Phila
delphia, and especially of the city itself," says Clarke,
" increased wonderfully in numbers, in attendance, and
in efficiency during his administration, and became a
crowning glory of his work. The boys' schools he con
fided to the Christian Brothers, and those of the girls to
the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Sisters of Charity, the Sis
ters of Notre Dame, and other female Orders. There
were two parochial schools in Philadelphia when he went
there in 1852; and at the time of his death, 1860, he had
increased the number to nearly one hundred."

Besides the parochial schools, Bishop Neumann de
voted his attention to the industrial schools already in
existence, to the colleges and academies established by
various religious Orders, and he encouraged the estab
lishment of others. In 1852 there were three Catholic col
leges in the diocese: one at Villanova, under the charge
of the Augustinians; St. Joseph's College, Philadelphia;
and St. Mary's College, at Wilmington. For young
ladies there were also three institutions: one in Phila
delphia in connection with the convent of the Visitation;
the two others at Holmesburg and McSherrytown, con
ducted by the Ladies of the Sacred Heart.

Under the Bishop's fostering care there were estab
lished: St. Joseph's College, in Susquehanna County;
three academies for girls, one in the above-mentioned
county, the others in Philadelphia and Reading ; an
Industrial School for girls, directed by the Sisters of the
Holy Cross; St. Vincent's Home, for orphans under four
years of age, in the Cathedral parish ; St. Vincent's
Orphan Asylum, for the German parishes of the city,
presided over by the Sisters of Notre Dame; and a

348 Ltfe of Bishop Neumann.

German hospital, under the care of the Franciscan
Sisters.

Bishop Neumann did not neglect the higher educa
tional establishments. Himself a lover of the sciences,
he endeavored by all means in his power to promote in
these institutions a great zeal for study. He visited them
often, showed his deep interest in every branch of science,
and awoke in the pupils a thirst for knowledge. They
loved to propose their scientific difficulties to him and
hear his solution of them. One day he entered a certain
institution and found teacher and pupils in quite an
animated discussion over what they thought a discre
pancy between their text-book of astronomy and their
own telescopic observations. They turned eagerly to
the Bishop. He soon discovered the cause of the ap
parent discrepancy, and smilingly explained away the
difficulty.

The pupils of another institution showed him a plant
whose order and species they were unable to find in their
text-book of botany. He examined the plant attentively
for a few moments, and then mentioned its name and
order, as well as the work in which they might find it
described.

The orphans were the dear objects of his solicitude;
he was to them a true father. A Sister of a religious
community says : " When Bishop Neumann visited an
orphan asylum he appeared the very counterpart of our
Lord, the Friend of children. He went among them
like a tender, loving father. He never came with empty
pockets. He always brought some presents, such as
books, pictures, toys, etc. The little ones would gather
round him and listen attentively whilst he told them of
God's love for them, or explained the different parts of
a flower, or some other wonder of nature suited to their
young mind. He knew how to use plain and simple lan
guage, such as would chain the attention of even the
most frolicsome. He led them, as far as their capacity

Catholic Schools in Philadelphia. 349

permitted, from the meditation of created things up to
the contemplation of God Himself. Their multiplied
questions never annoyed him."

He lost no opportunity to rescue a child from moral
ruin. We know his predilection for the hardest work
in the sacred ministry. His elevation to the episcopal
dignity made no change in this respect, and he still
claimed as his own the attending to sick-calls at night.
In the exercise of this function he often found a dying
parent to whom the thought of leaving a helpless orphan
rendered the bitterness of death doubly bitter. In such
cases his kind heart grew glad at being able to soothe
and resign the dying soul to the holy will of God with
the promise that he would himself take charge of the
orphaned child. One day he made his appearance at the
asylum holding by the hand a little tot of three years,
for whom he sought admittance. His kindness so won
the little creature's heart that ever after it called him
by the endearing name of father.

Another work in which Bishop Neumann's gentle heart
delighted was the visiting of hospitals. It was his joy
to alleviate the sufferings of the poor sick by loving
words and tender sympathy. A certain religious says:
" When the Bishop visited the sick he went from bed to
bed, lingering ateach as if loath to leave. He had words
of comfort and encouragement for every poor sufferer
of whatever age, rank, or faith. He used earnestly to
remind the Sisters in charge to look upon the sick as
the suffering members of Jesus Christ, and as such to
bestow upon them conscientious care.

350 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER V.
Bishop Neumann's Solicitude for his Clergy.

WHEN Bishop Neumann took possession of his see
in 1852, he found in it about one hundred priests
engaged in the sacred ministry a force wholly insuffi
cient for so large a diocese, and for the ever-increasing
number of Catholics. He was therefore obliged to
turn his attention to the supplying of this want as
promptly as possible, by appointing zealous young priests
to vacancies. The seminary of the diocese counted only
forty students of philosophy and theology, among whom
were very few Germans, notwithstanding the special
need for priests of that nationality. In his distress the
Bishop applied to his old friends, the Superior of the
seminary in Prague, and to Rev. Hermann Dichtl, re
questing them to send him some worthy priests or theo
logical students who had finished their studies. 0n May,£;
1853, he was able to report as follows to Father Dichtl:
"I thank God for His rich blessings upon your efforts
in behalf of this diocese. Father R^f^ is laboring with^J
great fervor and self-devotedness at his mission among
the miners. He will soon finish his little log-church, y
Mr..W — ^ is still at the seminary. He will be ordained
deacon to-morrow. '' As ^ie has finished his studies and
his conduct is exemplary, I shall ordain him this summer/
I hope our poor Germans may have reason to thank God
for his arrival in America. Of those mentioned in your
letter, none have, as yet, arrived. I am anxiously expect
ing them, for scarcely a week passes that I am not asked
by petitions and deputations to send a German priest
some place or other. So far, I have not been able to do

r" ,

His Solicitude for his Clergy. 351

anything more than exhort such applicants to pray
God to send us good priests, and then to wait in
patience."

Bishop Neumann never lost an opportunity of impress
ing on his clergy the necessity of devoting special atten
tion to boys who manifested a vocation for the priest
hood. He exhorted them to watch over their conduct;
to instruct them how to lead a pious life; and, in case
there was good reason to believe that they would eventu
ally enter the ranks of the ministry, to present them to
him as candidates. He sent numbers of such boys to
college at his own expense, that they might prepare for
the higher studies. From the very beginning of his
administration, he entertained a lively desire of estab
lishing his own preparatory seminary as a safeguard for
youth and a means of implanting in their tender minds
the virtues necessary for the sacerdotal state. Seven
years were, however, to roll by ere he was to see the
fulfilment of his judicious plan. It was not till the year
1859 that he rejoiced in its realization. A Pastoral
Letter upon this subject gives us his views respecting
the training of candidates for the priesthood. It runs as
follows:

" To the Clergy and the Laity of the Diocese of Philadelphia :

"Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father,
and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

" The great and happy progress made by our holy re
ligion in the United States fills us with joy, and we offer
continual thanksgivings to the Almighty for the graces
which He so abundantly pours out upon our country.

"The trials of the young Church of this country were,
in the beginning, most severe, and the first laborers were
encompassed by poverty and difficulties of every kind;
but they confided in God and, through Him, obtained
the grace of laboring perseveringly in the vineyard of
the' widely scattered faithful.

352 Life of Bishop Neumann.

" Even at the beginning of this century our Church re
ceived notable increase from all parts of Europe; and
still every month brings thousands to our shores. In a
short time the number of Catholics has grown beyond
computation.

"We see numbers of churches filled with worshippers,
and hundreds of children flocking to our spacious
parochial schools. Every year witnesses the opening of
new colleges and academies, the erection of asylums,
hospitals, and convents. The poor wanderer, far away
from the home and scenes of childhood, no longer feels
himself a stranger in a strange land; for he beholds on all
sides majestic temples before whose altars he can wor
ship his God. Yet whilst religion is thus making rapid
strides, there is a great want felt, that of laborers in the
vineyard — a want which grows more urgent day by day.

" It is, indeed, true that during the last fifty years many
priests have come to our shores from Europe. They
had heard of our spiritual distress; and, actuated by
holy zeal and in imitation of the Apostles, they left
home and friends to labor in God's house here in Amer
ica. Many young men, also, not yet in orders, but who
had chosen the Lord for their inheritance, found their
way to our land, and offered themselves to the Bishops;
being accepted, they entered our seminaries, completed
their studies, and were admitted to the ranks of the
priesthood. In this way our prelates have been able to
supply the most important missions with good priests.
Since the beginning of the mission-work in our diocese,
one hundred and seventy priests have been engaged in
it. Of these, forty-seven were native-^bi^, and one hun
dred and fifty-seven finished their studies in our diocesan
seminary. But we cannot depend entirely on such
sources. During the last two or three years applica"
tions have been less numerous. We shall therefore
soon sensibly experience the want of priests ; our work
will not advance. The clergy are subject to the same

His Solicitude for his Clergy. 353

evils as their fellow-mortals : sickness and death seek
victims among them.

"But God, who in His infinite wisdom orders all
things well, will provide for our wants. He already
points out the way by which we can supply them, viz.,
by the co-operation of those whose duty it is to instruct
you and to sanctify your souls. The way shown us by
Divine Providence is the education of our young men to
the priesthood in institutions established for this pur
pose. Through them we shall have constant and abun
dant sources from which to procure good and able minis
ters for our holy Church. The lively faith manifesting
itself in so many Catholic families, the grandeur and
solemnity of our services, the holy influence of religion
on our parochial schools, must naturally inspire numbers
of our young men with a love for the sacerdotal state
Even during these last years we have perceived in our
youth a growing inclination for the priesthood. Year
after year, applications are made to us from young men
of our diocese to be admitted into different educational
establishments with a view to the clerical state. Not
many years ago no fewer than twenty were received by
us at one time. They have now been studying for three
years at the preparatory seminary of St. Charles, Mary
land. It gives us great pleasure to be able to state that
to their progress in learning, as well as to their good
conduct, we can testify.

" This is also a manifest sign that Almighty God desires
that we should carry out without delay the decree of
the Council of Trent, by establishing a preparatory
seminary within the precincts of our own diocese. This
institution, in connection with our theological seminary
of St. Charles Borromeo, will, with the blessing of God
and our own co-operation, supply us with pious and
learned priests to aid in the fulfilment of our pastoral
duties.

"The holy Council of Trent (Sess. 23, chap. 18) issued

354 Life of Bishop Neumann.

the following decree: * As young men, if not rightly
directed, give themselves up to the pleasures of the
world and, if not trained from their tender age in piety
and virtue, will never submit to ecclesiastical discipline,
the holy synod decrees that all cathedral churches are
obliged according to their ability to support gratuitously
a certain number of young men of the city and diocese,
to train them religiously, and to form them in ecclesias
tical discipline. The youth who wish to be received
for this end must not be under twelve years of age; they
must have been born of lawful wedlock; must be able to
read and write; and their moral character must justify
the hope that they will devote themselves to the service
of the Church. Especially should poor children be
chosen for gratuitous education. The rich are not to be
excluded, though they should be supported at their own
expense. The Bishop should divide these young men
into as many classes as appears advisable with respect to
age, number, and intelligence in ecclesiastical affairs.
From these he chooses those who are fit, and again selects
others to take their place, so that the institution will
continually furnish him servants for the Church. In
order that young persons may be better kept in ecclesias
tical discipline, they should wear the clerical dress; they
should learn grammar, church-music, and other useful
sciences; they should, moreover, be instructed in Holy
Scripture, and in the homilies of the saints.'

" The establishment of these diocesan seminaries ac
cording to the plan of the Fathers of the Council of
Trent was deemed necessary for the restoration of
church-discipline. We doubt not for a moment that
this plan will be carried out in our diocese also, and
be accompanied by the most gratifying results. The
guardianship of parents is certainly the best nursery for
good Christians; the blessing of the marriage-sacrament,
even under less favorable circumstances, produces more
powerful, more efficacious results under the parental roof

His Solicitude for his Clergy. 355

than the most brilliant scientific educational system in a
foreign institution, however richly the latter may be
endowed, however distinguished by the learning and
talents of its professors. But if Christian youth are to
be educated for the service of the Almighty, all contact
with what would withdraw them from their holy voca
tion must be avoided. Parental influence occasionally
makes an undue impression on the mind of youth, some
times turns their thoughts away from the things of God.

"It is true, the hearts of these young men are still
innocent, yet they are susceptible of good and bad.
Their natural waywardness, their want of experience,
and the unfortunate striving after the imitation of what
ever they foolishly admire in others can very easily
tarnish the purity of the soul, sadden the Holy Ghost,
and deprive them of the grace of their vocation. It is a
great boon which the Church grants to her future ser
vant if she opportunely snatches him from the noxious
influences of the world, shelters and fosters him in the
salutary atmosphere of her secluded sanctuary, till his
character has developed and he has grown up in the
wisdom of God,

" A period of ten or twelve years devoted to scientific
branches, especially ecclesiastical science, qualifies him
to instruct the ignorant, strengthen the doubting and
wavering, guide the faithful, preach and defend fearlessly
the truths of our holy faith.

" The character of the priesthood elevates him to a
high dignity, even above the angels, and to this dignity
must correspond his virtues that he may be a worthy
servant of God, possessed of Christian holiness in so
eminent a degree as to be able to discharge the duties of
his high office in a manner pleasing to God and salutary
to the souls of men.

"The time which a seminarian spends at college gives
him sufficient opportunity to ascend from virtue to
virtue until he reaches the perfection required by the

356 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Church of her priests. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,
meditations in common, prayers daily recited by all,
the good example of fellow-students, frequent Holy
Communion, and the dwelling under the same roof with
our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, impose upon him
the happy necessity not only of avoiding every wilful
sin, but aid him to prepare his heart for every
virtue.

" We were therefore highly satisfied when informed
last spring that a piece of land with suitable buildings,
situated in a healthful region, had been offered for
sale. Trusting in God's help and your generosity, we
bought it without delay, and made the necessary im
provements for the reception of young students. With
pleasure we announce for your consolation that there
are now twenty-six students and four professors in the
institution.

" As this institution is connected with our large semi
nary, we think it advisable to recommend to you their
united claims. We do not deem it necessary to exhort
you to contribute to them. We know well that our ap
peal will meet a hearty response, and that every parish
priest will do his best to make these establishments suc
cessful; neither do we wish to change our plan for raising
funds. It has proved itself effective. But we should like
to see a more general co-operation on the part of the
faithful; therefore we request the reverend clergy to read
this Pastoral from the pulpit on the first Sunday after
its receipt, and to appoint as many of the faithful as are
willing to gather subscriptions, in order that the semi
naries may be freed from their heavy debts.

" The collection is to continue from October until the
middle of November.

" Yet, dear brethren, not gifts alone laid on the altar
will secure for us good priests, but humble prayer with
fasting is necessary.

" Particularly during the ember-days should the

His Solicitude for his Clergy. 357

faithful not omit to pray, to receive Holy Communion,
and to practise works of self-denial, in order that the
Pastor of our soul may send worthy laborers into His
vineyard, and that we may enter undefiled into the
possession of the inheritance reserved for us in heaven.
"*k* JOHN NEPOMUCENEf,

" Bishop of Philadelphia."
"PHILADELPHIA, October 2, 1859,

" Feast of the Holy Rosary.

As the time approached for the seminaries to attain
the end at which they had been aiming, the greater be
came their good Bishop's zeal that they should be worthily
prepared for so high a dignity. When at home, no day
passed without his visiting the seminary. He used to
give the theological students discourses on pastoral
theology, into which he knew how to weave excellent
remarks on moral theology, canon law, and church-
history. Clarke says: "The seminary during Bishop
Neumann's administration attained a reputation such as
it had never had before." The Holy Father bestowed
upon it the privilege of conferring the doctorate/)

The priests of Bishop Neumann's diocese found in him
a friend and father. If one called at his residence, he
might on admission walk up to his room, knock at the
door, and enter without previous announcement. Once
in the Bishop's presence, he could freely and leisurely
communicate to him his business or difficulties. He
was heard with interest, and never dismissed without a
decision or a word of good advice or encouragement, as
the case might require. The Bishop was invariably kind
and affable to all whom he met, and, like the holy
patriarch Abraham, he delighted in the exercise of the
virtue of hospitality. Apartments were always in readi
ness for the reception of ecclesiastics who might happen
to be in the city from a distance. Yet with all his
remarkable meekness, Bishop Neumann kept a vigilant

358 Life of Bishop Neumann.

eye upon the conduct of his priests. With paternal love,
yet with truly apostolic zeal, he conscientiously saw to
the faithful fulfilment of their duties, as is sufficiently
proved by the regulations of his synods. Among other
things, he ordained that the clergy of his diocese should
wear the ecclesiastical dress and avoid sea-side resorts.

For the regulation of the temporal affairs of the
different parishes, and for the safeguard of the honor of
the priesthood, he made several wise rules to be observed
in the whole diocese. In ten chapters of these rules, the
administration of church-property of the parishes was
regulated, and provision made for difficult cases that
might arise.

In his anxiety to remove abuses, Bishop Neumann
occasionally met opposition; but his calmness, his purity
of intention, which sought only the honor of God and
the salvation of souls, usually effected his purpose. In
one of his synods he spoke of the disadvantages of taking
up a forced collection at the door of the church, a practice
usual in some places, and pointed out the fact that this
was frequently the cause of many persons not hearing
Mass. When the reverend gentlemen present were
asked to give their opinion for or against this practice,
several arose and warmly opposed the innovation, as
they were pleased to term it, which the Bishop wished to
introduce. " By cutting off these sure revenues for the
churches," they said, "a great injury would be done, and
whoever would abolish the custom would plainly show
that he knew very little about a certain class of
people," etc.

The listeners fully expected the Bishop to resent
authoritatively the personal attacks made upon him, or
at least give his opponents a severe lesson. But no: the
humble Bishop exhibited no sign of displeasure. He
quietly asked whether any one else desired to express
his opinion on the question. All sat silent, conscious of
the affront offered their good prelate by the passionate

His Solicitude for his Clergy. 359

language just uttered in his presence. They were, in
truth, not a little astonished at his meekness and for
bearance. At last, after a few moments of painful sus
pense on the part of the clergy and of expectant waiting
on that of the Bishop, the latter, receiving no response
to his invitation, closed the meeting with these words:
" Gentlemen, some of you appear to differ on this matter,
and the reasons you have urged for the same I regard as
weak. I, too, have reasons — very grave reasons — for
my opinions. Since we do not agree, we must allow the
Holy See to decide in the matter, and submit to what
ever decision may be given."

The synod was at an end. The priests, as they dis
persed, spoke only of the unfortunate occurrence, which
they very much deplored, whilst they admired their Bish
op's humility. His most zealous opponent, deeply mor
tified at his own indiscretion, gave expression to his
thoughts in the following words: "We have, indeed, a
saintly Bishop."

We may style Bishop Neumann's interest in his clergy
a truly paternal love, since he saw to both their spiritual
and temporal well-being. He pressed them to apply to
him in all their difficulties, to make known to him all
their wants. If they wrote to him, he answered promptly;
he spared no pains in his efforts to oblige them.

The annual spiritual exercises he sometimes con
ducted for them himself, or chose one from the religious
Orders for that purpose. In the former case, his own
exemplary observance of the order of the day conveyed
to them almost as much instruction and edification as
his words.

Long before his elevation to the episcopacy, Bishop
Neumann was noted for the lively interest he manifested
in those unfortunate priests whose faults had incurred
suspension. He earnestly sought to lead them back to
a sense of their duty. If they consented to enter upon
a few days' retreat, he aided them all in his power, and

360 Life of Bishop Neumann,

when he saw signs of thorough amendment, he wrote to
their Bishop begging him to receive once more the re
pentant clerics. When raised to the mitre, he devoted
himself even more zealously to this work, and his pater
nal interest was all alive was there question of one of
his own priests. His natural kind-heartedness was ever
ready to assert its rights when he believed repentance
sincere. Toward the close of his life, however, grown
wiser by experience, he placed but little confidence in
those unfortunates, that suspended in their own dioceses,
asked admission into his.

His respect and affection for good, earnest priests were
unbounded. How often were not poor clergymen,
though not having made known their wants, been unex
pectedly relieved by their Bishop with money, vestments,
or sacred vessels ! Even articles of clothing, received as
donations from charitable friends for his own use, fre
quently found their way to distressed ecclesiastics.

^

6 '/

/ / j II J

Solicitude for the Religioiis of his Diocese. 361

CHAPTER VI.

Bishop Neumann's Solicitude for the Religious
of his Diocese.

THE welfare of religious Orders was another object
near to Bishop Neumann's heart. In them he
took the liveliest interest ; for what concerned them he
was as solicitous as a father for his well-beloved family.
His affections naturally clung to the Congregation of
which he formed so bright an ornament, the Congrega
tion of the Most Holy Redeemer : and who would blame
him for this? Before his elevation to the episcopate, he
had been, as we have said, one of its most active mem
bers, a witness of the great work it was accomplishing,
a co-laborer in the same. A true son of St. Alphonsus,
burning with the same untiring zeal that urged his foun
der on in his career of devotedness to God's glory, we
have seen how Bishop Neumann bore the burden of the
apostolate in by-gone years. A thorough Redemptorist
at heart, he found the necessity to which he was con
demned by the episcopal office a hard and bitter one.
He repeatedly petitioned to have a Father of the Con
gregation and a lay-brother, or at least one of them, as
a member of his household ; but the state of things at
that time would not permit his request to be granted.
This refusal did not, however, prevent the Bishop's
choosing the seal of the Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer as his episcopal coat-of-arms, and he con
tinued for a time to wear the Redemptorist habit. But
when he perceived that this wearing the habit was mis
understood and unfavorably commented upon, he ap
peared in public clothed in the episcopal robes. When,

362 Life of BisJiop Neumann.

however, he found himself for a few days a guest at any
of the Redemptorist convents, he gladly donned his be
loved habit again : he was once more the Redemptorist
Father.

To Bishop Neumann's great annoyance, it was as
serted by some individuals that his episcopal consecra
tion had cut him off from membership with the Congre
gation which he loved so much. In his doubt and
anxiety, he recurred to the Holy Father, requesting him
to decide the mater, urging that it would cause him
great pain if, after having rendered obedience to the
Chief Pastor of the Church, he should now be deprived
of the graces and privileges of his dear Congregation.
The answer of the Holy Father removed all doubt on
that head. Here are the words of His Holiness :

" Because you, my beloved son, have united the virtues
of a religious with the burden of a Bishop, you shall re
main a religious ; and even if you were no longer a full
member of the Congregation, I would, by virtue of my
power, receive you as such."

For the removal of further scruples, the Holy Father
added a few regulations as to the manner of his keeping
the vows of poverty and obedience.

Every week he went on foot to the convent at St.
Peter's, to confer with his confessor; he spent one day
there every month in retreat, and the ten successive days
of his annual retreat as prescribed by the rules of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. His name
headed the list of the community ; and on New- Year's
eve, when patron saints, virtues, and particular prayers
are allotted to each for the coming year, the Bishop,
like all the rest, received his. When with his breth
ren, he always sought the last place among the lay-
brothers and very reluctantly accepted the highest.
Let us cite here the following incident which hap
pened in Cumberland, whither the Bishop had gone
to confer minor orders on some of the Redemptorist

Solicitude for the Religious of his Diocese. 363

students. It is customary in Redemptorist convents to
visit the Blessed Sacrament after dinner and there recite
the psalm De profundis. The lay-brothers, leaving the
refectory first, go processionally followed by the Fathers
in order to the sanctuary, where they range round the
altar. The Superior walks last ; but when the Bishop
happened to be present, this post of honor was assigned
him. On such occasions there was always placed be
fore the altar a kneeling-stool for the use of His Lord
ship ; but he, instead of proceeding to the place assigned
him, would take his station behind the lay-brothers,
thus securing for himself the necessity of going out
directly after them at the close of the prayers. If we
follow him, it will be to the kitchen, where we shall
find him chuckling over the success of his well-executed
plan whilst girding himself with a huge apron prepara
tory to helping with the dishes. To be sure, we shall
not have to wait long before good Father Superior
makes his appearance, insisting on the Bishop's going
with him at once to the recreation-room, where the
Fathers are assembled for their after-dinner chat. And
now behold a scene blessed in the sight of Him who
was "meek and humble of heart"! Father Superior's
earnestness to lead him back in triumph, and the good
Bishop gently pleading to be allowed to perform the
lowly act, to feel that he is still a Redemptorist. O
Humility, golden virtue, pride itself must bow down
before thee !

It is usual among the Redemptorists for the Fathers
sometimes to assist in such offices for the sake of prac
tising humility.

When the Sacrament of Confirmation was to be ad
ministered or any other episcopal function to be per
formed in the Redemptorist convents out of his own
diocese, Bishop Neumann was always ready, with the
permission of the Ordinary, to offer his services. Such
opportunities of obliging his brethren afforded him the

364 Life of Bishop Neumann.

highest gratification. He went to New York to be pres
ent at the consecration of the Church of the Most Holy
Redeemer, which took place with great solemnity on
November 28, 1852, and he willingly accepted the invita
tion to preach the same evening. In the Redemptorist
parishes of Baltimore and Pittsburg he frequently ad
ministered the Sacrament of Confirmation, performed
the ceremonies of ordination, of laying the corner-stones
of churches and schools, and of blessing bells, etc. Arch
bishop Kenrick and Bishop O'Connor, being personal
friends of Bishop Neumann, were well aware of what
could afford him gratification; consequently each gladly
accorded to him a general permission to perform epis
copal functions in his diocese. He sung Pontifical Mass
at St. Peter's, Philadelphia, several times a year, and
graciously responded to every invitation to exercise his
faculties as Bishop.

His deep attachment to his own beloved Congrega
tion was no hindrance to his loving kindness for all
other religious Orders. He entertained for each and all
the highest esteem, nay, even reverence, being convinced
that their pious labors drew down upon his diocese the
richest blessings of Heaven. Animated by this spirit,
he strove to improve the condition of those already
within its precincts, and to introduce others. During the
first year of his episcopate he wrote his sister Mary
Caroline, a Sister of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo,
Bohemia:

" As soon as I can procure means, I intend to open an
Infant Asylum for a class of children of which hundreds
have hitherto been lost to the Church; and I hope that
in a short time a hospital will be established for sick
immigrants. As soon as things are ready, I shall not
fail to apply to you. I had this thought on the Feast of
St. Charles Borromeo. It can very easily be realized,
since the various religious communities in the United
States are always in need of subjects."

Solicitude for the Religious of his Diocese. 365

Again he wrote to Father Dichtl: "God be praised,
religious institutions are increasing in the diocese! The
Jesuit Fathers in Philadelphia are opening their college
in a new and much larger building; the Sisters of the
Holy Cross from the diocese of Le Mans, France, will
open an industrial school for poor girls; and the Sisters
of Notre Dame from Namur, Belgium, are daily expect
ing to take charge of a parochial school. However
gratifying this news, the difficulties connected with the
introduction of religious Orders are indescribable. I
have had an offer of eight acres near the city. I intended
to accept it and retain the property for the Sisters of St.
Charles Borromeo, to be used by them as a hospital and
mother- house; but the gentleman that made the offer
has since lost forty thousand dollars by fire, and I know
not whether he can now carry out his benevolent inten
tions."

The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, first
established in the diocese of Detroit, had many difficul
ties to overcome in the foundation of their Congrega
tion. Bishop Neumann lent them assistance, and re-
y ceived them into his diocese. They are at present
laboring^successfully as teachers in scvc^ other dio
ceses.

The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, owe
their existence as an Order to Bishop Neumann, and
justly honor him as their father and founder. These
are the Sisters of St. Francis who first formed a com
munity, April 9, 1855, under the following circumstances.
During his stay in Rome, the Bishop communicated to
the Holy Father his desire to introduce into his diocese,
and that at an early date, the Sisters of St. Dominic, who
might supply such wants as could not be met by other
Orders. His Holiness, Pius IX., advised him to train
the daughters of the Seraphic St. Francis for this pur
pose. Regarding the Holy Father's advice as the de
clared will of God, the Bishop began at once to organize

366 Life of Bishop Neumann.

the first Franciscan sisterhood in America. To this end
he sent for some Fathers of the Order, called Conven
tuals, to train these daughters of St. Francis in the spirit
of their holy founder. He appointed Mother Mary Fran
cis Superioress of the little community, which then con
sisted of only five members, and gave them a rule writ
ten by his own hand. No one could peruse its contents
without feeling himself deeply impressed by the rare
wisdom and prudence of the author. Notwithstanding
his multiplied occupations, he found time to instruct the
Sisters in monastic discipline by means of conferences,
and to lead them forward on the road of perfection.
Like all the works of God, the new institute had to con
tend against innumerable contradictions and difficulties;
but under the Bishop's fostering care it gradually grew
and flourished. Following out his views, the Sisters were
to unite to the active life that of prayer and meditation,
their principal object being the care of the sick, whom
they both visited and nursed. As long as their small
domicile afforded accommodations for only a limited
number of patients, the Sisters devoted thems.elves more
freely to the care of the sick in their own homes.
When, however, postulants were received and the com
munity increased, they began the second object of their
mission, viz., the education of youth.

Scarcely four years after their establishment the Sis
terhood counted four houses in which the virtues of the
Seraphic St. Francis were fervently imitated, the love
of God and the neighbor practised. At the present date
this Congregation numbers about twenty-five convents,
with two hundred professed Sisters, all unceasingly
active in the several works enumerated above. These
convents are in Philadelphia, Buffalo, New York, Balti
more, Pittsburg, etc.

One of the strongest proofs of Bishop Neumann's high
appreciation of the religious life lies in the fact of his
repeatedly directing the attention of his seminarians to

Solicitude for the Religious of his Diocese. 367

that sublime vocation, and unhesitatingly encouraging
them to manifest to him any desire they might entertain
to enter it. "I shall cheerfully give you my permission
and blessing, should you wish to take such a step."
Such was the language of this most disinterested Bishop,
who nevertheless left no means untried to supply his
diocese with good recruits for the secular clergy.

Bishop Neumann, as might be judged from the fore
going pages, delighted in acting as celebrant in the
ceremonies of religious receptions and professions. An
observer could not fail to mark the joy that lit up his
countenance on such occasions, a joy mingled with de
votion. His earnest and soul-inspiring discourses at
such times evidenced his own lively faith, his interior
piety, and his high esteem of the religious state. When
unable to attend these ceremonies, his regrets were
couched in terms so humble and cordial as to compen
sate, in some degree, for his absence. Once he wrote to
a certain Superioress by whom he had been invited to
take part in the ceremony of receiving a novice to the
habit: "It would afford me real pleasure to witness the
reception of a new member to your community; yet this
time I must content myself with being present in spirit.
I shall, on the day of the ceremony, offer up the Holy
Sacrifice for the, welfare of your novitiate."

His solid tii de^for his religious extended to whatever
interested their well-being. He wished to be informed
of the most trifling circumstances, that he might furnish
counsel and assistance when necessary; indeed, he fre
quently exhorted Superiors by letter not to fail to apply
to him in all their necessities. " In whatever distress
you may be," he wrote to one, " I beg you to let me
know, and I will help you according to my ability. I am
poor myself, yet I know that God will not forget us in
our poverty."

One day he called at a convent whose poverty was so
great that its inmates often wanted the necessaries of

368 Life of Bishop Neumann.

life. " Right Reverend Bishop," said one of the Sisters
ingenuously, "we can scarcely get along. Sometimes
we have no coal to make a fire; and when we have coal,
we often have nothing to cook."

The Bishop looked at her thoughtfully, then, pointing
to a crucifix that hung near, he said: "There, dear
Sisters, there is a book. Read it, meditate upon it. It
will lighten your trials, it will help you to bear your
crosses."

But not to mere words was the good Bishop's sym
pathy confined. With a smile full of sweetness and
benevolence, he turned to the Superioress and said: "As
I usually distribute medals among the Sisters, I must not
omit to do so now; but to-day I am going to give you
Yankee medals," and he handed her fifty dollars in gold
to procure necessaries for the house. When relating this
incident, the Sisters remarked: " His tone of voice when
pointing to the crucifix, his whole manner, made a deep
impression upon us. We felt encouraged, and we resolved
to bear our privations with patience."

To the Superioress of another convent newly-founded,
he wrote: "I foresee that you will have to struggle with
many difficulties, especially with great poverty. But I
am full of confidence in God, who always supports what
is undertaken for His own greater glory. Do not waver
in your hope. The greater your distress, the greater
should be your trust in help from on high. Let us pray,
and God will show us what we must do."

But above every other care was that which he enter
tained for the spiritual good of his religious. He ap
pointed their confessors only after mature reflection,
since to them chiefly appertains the noble task of leading
these souls along the path of perfection. The regular
observance was a point on which he displayed untiring
vigilance; his tact for discovering whatever evils existed
in a religious community was truly wonderful. He ap
plied a remedy without delay, insisting especially upon

Solicitude for the Religious of his Diocese. 369

strict enclosure for nuns. He did not wish to see the
spouses of Jesus Christ encouraging unnecessary inter
course with seculars. In a letter to a certain Superioress
he says: "I beg you to introduce as soon as possible all
the spiritual exercises prescribed by the rules of your
Order, for I wish your house to be a model of religious
observance. I am not solicitous about its temporalities.
Divine Providence will see that you always have what is
necessary, if the Sisters faithfully observe their rule and
by their mutual love and harmony attract His blessing
upon themselves. I exceedingly dislike that religious
houses should depend on the favor of creditors. Let us
trust in God and St. Joseph. In God's own good time
things will come right. Procure whatever is necessary.
Be satisfied with what is needed for the present day, and
confide the future to God. This, I know well, exacts
great self-denial, but it is the surest way of acting."

On another occasion he wrote to the same Superioress,
who was laboring under severe trials: "I am doing what
I can, but patience is necessary. Such crosses God sends
that we may learn how displeasing it is to Him to oblige
Him to wait for our confidence in Him and for the ob
servance of our rule, since to all this He is justly en
titled at every moment of our life."

Although Bishop Neumann was a man of vast erudi
tion and one who highly valued science, yet he preferred
virtue to learning. "Your chief study," said he to the
Sisters of a certain academy, " is your rule. If you ob
serve it faithfully and conscientiously, God will bless
your work. Our labors are crowned not so much by our
own efforts as by God's blessing. I am fully convinced
that a Sister who possesses comparatively less learning,
yet who is faithful to God, will have more success than
others who are perhaps better educated, but who do not
observe the rules faithfully."

The Superioress-General of a certain Order often
wrote to Bishop Neumann for advice in matters of im-

370 Life of Bishop Neumann.

portance. In one of her letters she incidentally com
plained of the burden and responsibility of her office,
remarking that for such a post she was too young and
altogether unfit. The Bishop's reply was as dignified as
it was^paternal. "My dear Sister," he wrote, "God
strengthens and enlightens even young and weak Sisters
in such offices. Reconcile yourself to your position in
all humility. Every Superior has his faults. There has
never yet been a man, never a Superior, that has not
sometimes made mistakes, that has not sometimes
erred." The young Superioress to whom the above was
addressed afterward declared that the Bishop's words
quieted her, whilst at the same time they afforded her
salutary humiliation.

These and similar expressions he often used for the
peace or consolation of others. They always produced
a soothing effect upon the mind of those to whom they
were directed and stimulated them to the practice of
virtue. Upon one of his visits to a convent he found the
Sisters occupied in laborious household duties. They
wore a look of fatigue, which the kind-hearted Bishop
noticing, said: "Remember, dear Sisters, your labors
are similar to those of the Blessed Virgin. If you unite
them to hers, you will find them less wearisome."

On another occasion he said: "This is the season com
memorative of our Lord's sufferings. We must carry our
cross with Him." His uninterrupted intercourse with
God produced a most beneficial impression upon all that
conversed with him. His most frequent expression was,
" For God alone !" or " For God, the Almighty !" — words
uttered with so much earnestness, with so much faith,
that the hearers felt persuaded that they sprung from
the depths of his own upright soul.

Bishop Neumanns Reverence and Devotion. 371

CHAPTER VII.

Bishop Neumann's Reverence and Devotion in
the Performance of Sacred Functions.

IF Bishop Neumann's habitual recollectedness exer
cised so salutary an influence upon those that came
in daily contact with him, his faith and love of God shone
out still more clearly when engaged in the performance
of sacred functions. When administering the Sacrament
of Confirmation, of holy orders, or performing other
ceremonies peculiar to the episcopal office, his whole
countenance was radiant with devotion, whilst his every
word and movement was stamped with unaffected dig
nity. On such occasions he carefully observed every
formula; not a rubric was neglected. Dr. Richard Clarke
says: "Bishop Neumann distinguished himself by his
exact observance of all the prescribed ceremonies of the
Church;" and one of his clergy remarks on the same
point: "I shall never forget the time that I was present
with him at the laying of the corner-stone of St. Al-
phonsus' Church, Philadelphia. To have been near him
on such an occasion is to retain an impression full of ad
miration for his faith, his reverence, his childlike fidelity
to the Church in the observance of her sacred cere
monies."

In the performance of such functions Bishop Neumann ,
was indefatigable. On Holy Saturday of 1853^ he offi
ciated in St. Peter's, Philadelphia. At six in the morn
ing service began with the blessing of the new fire and
the paschal candle, followed by that of the baptismal
font and the baptism of several adults. After the sing
ing of the Litanies came /H4gb Mass, during which the

372 Life of Bishop Neumann.

fr^^

Bishop conferred the tonsure, the four minor orders,
the diaconate- and subdiaconate'^on several candidates
for the ranks of the.( secular and regular clergy, besides
ordaining others,' The ceremonies were long and fatigu
ing; yet the Bishop looked upon this part of Almighty
God's service as a joy, yes, even a recreation.

The Bishop was as great a stickler for the reverential
performance of sacred duties and adherence to rubrics
in the case of his priests as in his own. He made excel
lent rules on these points in his diocesan synods; and
at the quarterly conferences he caused one or other of
the reverend gentlemen to practise certain ceremonies
according to the rules laid down in the Ritual and Cere
monial. He was, above all, deeply interested in the
exact and respectful celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass, and he frequently instructed the theological
students himself how to offer up the Holy Mysteries in
the spirit of the Church. On this subject he once wrote
to Rev. Father Dichtl: " Last month I assembled all the
priests of my diocese, and gave them the spiritual exer
cises; then followed a synod: and I have reason to
rejoice over the success of both. These synods are
especially needed in the United States, in order to secure
uniformity in the performance of clerical functions. As
missionaries come here from all parts of Christendom,
each bringing with him the peculiarities of his own
nation, discord may thereby be engendered. I know of
no better means than these synods to settle things at
once, as is done in the Eternal City. Besides several
statutes enacted upon various points of discipline, it was
also proposed to introduce into the larger churches of
the diocese the devotion of the Forty Hours, so that
there might be no week in the year in which the Blessed
Sacrament would not be exposed for the adoration of
the faithful."

In the Blessed Sacrament Bishop Neumann found the
sweet object of his lively faith, his firm hope, his tender

a. .

Bishop Neumanns Reverence and Devotion. 373

love. His devotion to Jesus hidden under the Eucharis-
tic veils was earnest and edifying; and intense was his
desire to enkindle the same among his flock. He longed
for them to share largely in the rich blessings flowing
from this source of grace. The best means to accomplish
this lay, as he thought, in the devotion of the Forty
Hours; and the thought of introducing it into his dio
cese, of celebrating it with all possible pomp and
splendor, was one that constantly recurred to his mind.

During the last diocesan synod, as we have read above,
the introduction of the devotion had been proposed, but
nothing definitive connected with it agreed upon. The
Bishop did not desire to be the sole originator of the
movement, so he communicated his inspiration to a few
of his confidential and most experienced friends among
the clergy. But his wishes met with no response from
them. They were of opinion that the time had not yet
arrived for the worthy celebration of the devotion in this
country; that the faithful were not ripe for it; that our
Lord Jesus Christ would receive more dishonor than
honor in those long hours of exposition. The good
Bishop, though a little disappointed at not finding him
self supported, yet did not consider the hesitation of the
persons consulted a sufficient reason for abandoning
his cherished design. He would, on the one hand,
gladly have been influenced by the opinion of prudent
men; but, on the other, his intense love for Jesus in the
Blessed Sacrament constantly urged him to the execu
tion of his design. Whilst thus undecided, the following
incident occurred, in which our Lord appears to have
encouraged him by a miracle in the accomplishment of
what was to be so fruitful in glory to His hidden Majesty
and blessings to His redeemed ones.

Late one evening, Bishop Neumann sat in his room
busy inditing answers to innumerable letters that lay
before him. Midnight sounded and found him still at
work. The candle that he used in sealing his letters

374 Life of BisJiop Neumann.

had well-nigh burned out, and he vainly tried to steady
the only remaining piece at hand in the candlestick.
Not being able to succeed, and preoccupied with the
thought that had so long pursued him, that of the Forty
Hours, he rather carelessly, — we should perhaps say
providentially, — stood the piece of lighted candle on the
table, placing around it as a support some letters and
writing-paper. Wearied by so many hours of close
application, he fell into a light sleep, from which he sud
denly awoke in alarm to find the candle consumed and
his table covered with smouldering paper. He gazed in
astonishment at the glowing sheets, many of them burnt
and charred, though the writing they contained remained
untouched and legible. Overcome by what he saw, and
heedless of quenching the glowing sparks, the servant
of God sank on his knees. As he knelt in silent grati
tude for this apparently miraculous interposition of
Divine Providence, it seemed to him that he heard an
interior voice saying: " As the flames are here burning
without consuming or even injuring the writing, so shall
I pour out My grace in the Blessed Sacrament without
prejudice to My honor. Fear not profanation, therefore;
hesitate no longer to carry out your designs for My
glory."

The Bishop was confirmed in his resolution. At that
very hour he expedited the order for all the parish
churches of his diocese to celebrate the devotion of the
Forty Hours. This was in the year 1853.

He caused a pamphlet containing the history of the
devotion, the manner of conducting it, and the prayers
for the same to be printed in Latin. In 1855 the Pope
granted to all the faithful of the diocese of Philadelphia
the same indulgences as are gained in Rome on such
occasions.

The church of St. Philip Neri was the first in Philadel
phia to celebrate the devotion.' The Bishop himself
inaugurated and directed the solemnity; he scarcely left

Biskop Neumanns Reverence and Devotion. 375

the church during the three days of its continuance. His
soul overflowed with heavenly consolation, and his coun
tenance beamed with joy at the sight of this blissful
realization of his long-cherished scheme. The clergy
and laity alike were deeply edified at his ardent love for
Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. For the worthy celebration
of the devotion, he gladly lent his own magnificent
ostensorium and his richest vestments. It was his great
est happiness to contribute in every way to the glory of
his hidden God: magnificent ornaments, rare flowers,
innumerable lights — all that the wealth of earth could
afford or the skill of man devise he wished to lay in
homage upon the altar of his Lord. Whenever it was
possible, he opened the Forty Hours with Pontifical
High Mass, took part in the procession, or closed the
solemnities.

The faithful flocked to the churches in crowds, both
for public and private devotions, during the three days
of exposition — a fact which affords the most striking
proof that the introduction of the Forty Hours in this
country was entirely opportune. Bishop Neumann's ex
ample was soon followed by his brother-Bishops, even
by those who withheld the weight of their encourage
ment when the question was first mooted. At the present
day there are few dioceses in the United States that do
not gratefully share in the blessings emanating from this
public homage to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

The feelings that animated Bishop Neumann's heart
for this Mystery of Love led him, in 1855, to establish
the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament in St.
Alphonsus' Church, Philadelphia. He himself drew up
the rules and arranged the order of devotions. The
members bind themselves to honor their Lord and
Saviour in a special manner by faithful compliance with
the duties of their state, and by appropriate devotions
before the Blessed Sacrament. Exposition follows Ves
pers of every Sunday and holy- day, when a short sermon

376 Life of Bishop Neumann.

on the Holy Eucharist is delivered, and the Litany of the
Holy Name of Jesus or that of the Blessed Virgin is
recited by the officiating clergyman, the congregation
answering. This is followed by a hymn, to which suc
ceed indulgenced prayers in honor of the Five Sacred
Wounds, offered in reparation for the ingratitude, indif
ference, and profanations which Jesus endures in the
Most Blessed Sacrament. The veneration of each Wound
concludes with the short act of adoration: " Praised and
blessed forever be the Most Holy Sacrament of the
altar!" The devotions terminate with Benediction. On
the second Sunday of each month the Blessed Sacra
ment is borne in solemn procession through the church.

To excite and nourish among the faithful an effective
and grateful remembrance of the sufferings of our Lord,
Bishop Neumann prescribed special Lenten services
throughout his diocese. On one day of the week the
Way of the Cross was to be made by the priest and the
people together, and on another a sermon was to be
preached on the Passion, Benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament to be given at the close of each devotion.
Where there were several churches, he so arranged that
these devotions took place on different evenings, thus
affording the faithful an opportunity for more frequent
attendance.

Bishop Neumann was of opinion that confraternities
are an excellent means to foster true piety among the
faithful; consequently he introduced several into his
diocese. To a prominent ecclesiastic in Bohemia he
wrote as follows: " Please to give the enclosed picture of

the scapular to Mr. N , and tell him to make use of it

as an incentive to greater veneration toward the Blessed
Virgin. The Mother of God will obtain many graces
for him at the hour of death, if he is faithful in asking
her for them. I hope he will not forget me in his
prayers. During the visitation of my diocese this year
I had the consolation of witnessing the happy fruits pro-

Bishop Neumanns Reverence and Devotion. 377

duced by the missions. The Fathers have introduced
into many congregations the Confraternities of the
Scapular, the Rosary, and the Immaculate Heart of
Mary. All this, with God's help, will serve to foster the
spirit of faith and piety, an end so important in the
United States, where faith is exposed to greater danger
than elsewhere."

Bishop Neumann made regulations also for the care
ful and respectful preservation of everything appertain
ing to the service of the altar, sacred vessels, vestments,
etc. All were to be preserved in good condition and in
proper places. As no suitable vessel had as yet been
devised for the holy oils, he had one made according to
his own directions. It has been found most convenient,
both as to material and form, and it is now in general use.

The following incident will present to the reader some
idea of the highly refined and artistic bent of Bishop
Neumann's religious soul. We have seen, in treating of
the Forty Hours, his eagerness to place whatever treas
ures our earth can afford at the feet of his God. The
circumstance of the famous ivory crucifix we may adduce
in proof of the same. As soon as his eyes rested upon
this masterpiece of more than human skill, he conceived
so tender an affection for the Crucified as there repre
sented, he expressed his admiration in terms so enthusi
astic, so indicative of the artist's soul burning within
him, that the owner, though fully conscious of the prize
he possessed, could not refuse to let him have it. The
Bishop lost no time in securing for his Cathedral this
treasure of art, this product of heavenly inspiration.

A sketch of this crucifix and its carver will, doubtless,
be of interest to the reader.

Carlo Antonio Pesenti was born February 23, 1801, in
the valley of Brembana, Italy. He received from his
parents a good Christian education, and was remarkable
e.ven in childhood for piety. His greatest delight was to
fashion the images of Mary and of his patrons, Saints

. ! V O'V* .

373 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Charles and Anthony, out of wood. Thus did he grow
up from boyhood to manhood, the years bringing with
them naught to mar the beauty and freshness of his
innocent soul. At the age of twenty-two, he con
ceived the design of carrying out a long- cherished
desire, that of visiting the Holy Places in Rome.
God favored the youth, and things fell out propi
tiously for Antonio. On his homeward journey he
resolved to turn aside a little in order to visit the mon
astery of St. Nicholas Tolentino, not far from Genoa.
Here he sought shelter for the night, and here it was
that Almighty God made known to him his vocation to
the religious life. Touched and edified by the prayers
and canticles of the good monks, Antonio obeyed the
secret inspiration which urged him to ask to be received
among them. His request was favored; he entered the
novitiate, and in due time made his vows as a lay-
brother. His virtuous life soon made him a model for
the whole community. Fifteen years passed, and Fra
Antonio lived on in fervor, in prayer, and in deeds of
charity, carving rude images of the saints, studying their
lives and striving to imitate their virtues. Especially
was he devout to the Sacred Passion of Christ, from the
uninterrupted contemplation of which his very counte
nance had caught a seraphic glow. Once, whilst ab
sorbed in such meditation, a vision unfolded itself before
his enraptured gaze — a vision of his Lord hanging on the
Wood of Redemption, His sacred features breathing
love and peace. In an ecstasy of grief and love, the
monk gazed on the wondrous spectacle, and as he gazed
there sprung up in his soul a longing to represent in
some visible form what he then saw. But how was this
to be accomplished ? What could lie, a simple lay-
brother, do ? Everything was wanting to him — materials,
implements, and, more than all, knowledge of that art
whose rules would direct him to the end. But He who
had engraven this picture of His sufferings so deeply in

Bishop Neumanns Reverence and Devotion. 379

Antonio's heart guided the unskilled hand in the use of
hammer and chisel.

• In the storeroom of the old convent lay a massive
block of ivory, measuring over three feet in length, four
teen inches in thickness, and weighing about one hun
dred and twenty-five pounds. The prior's permission
being readily obtained, Fra Antonio removed the block
to his cell and with steady purpose set about his task of
love. Layer after layer of discolored crust was carefully
and patiently removed ere the pure white ivory was
reached.

Four years rolled by, and still were hammer and chisel
busily plied, fashioning the rough mass into the image
of the Crucified such as He had deigned to show Him
self to Fra Antonio's ravished eyes. Oftentimes the
monk grew weary, temptations to abandon his design
seized upon him. Was it not, to say the least of it, rash
and foolish after all — this undertaking of his? How
could he, ignorant of the sculptor's art, hope to succeed
in so bold an enterprise ? And what did Fra Antonio at
such moments? He prayed, he invoked Our Lady's
help, and he fainted not.

Twenty-four, even thirty, consecutive hours often
found the monk still bending over his work. Tears and
prayers mingled with the hammer's blows and the
chisel's strokes; visitors, drawn by the fame of the work
and the workman, crowded the secluded cell: and still
the monk toiled on.

At last a day came on which the hammer was silent
and the chisel was laid aside. The monk's task of
love was finished, and he gazed with tearful eyes upon
the embodiment of the vision of ravishing beauty that
had once been his.

The work was pronounced a masterpiece, a marvel of
art, by the most distinguished connoisseurs who came
from far and near to behold the production of that un
trained hand.

380 Life of Bishop Neumann.

In 1843, Mr. E. Lester, United States Consul at
Genoa, visited the convent to see for himself the cruci
fix so admired, so praised even, by eminent artists. He
saw, and he longed to possess. The convent was poor;
Mr. Lester's offer was large: and need we say that he
soon found himself the fortunate owner of the won-
drously beautiful object ? He transferred it to the
Academy of Fine Arts in Genoa, whither, as to the
humble cell of its carver, it soon attracted numbers of
visitors. The most celebrated artists declared it inimi
table; and it is indeed in every respect, even in the
minutest details, a perfect work. The Divine Counte
nance unites an expression of exquisite suffering with a
smile of ineffable sweetness.

From Genoa it was, at the suggestion of Mr. Power,
the great American sculptor, taken to Florence, and
afterward exhibited in many of the cities of Europe and
America. The Cosmopolitan Art Association purchased
it from Mr. Lester for ten thousand dollars; thence it
passed into the hands of a gentleman of Pennsylvania,
and from him into the possession of Bishop Neumann,
through whom it was to reach its fitting destination.
Encased in glass, it is now exposed in the Cathedral of
Philadelphia, an object of devout admiration to the
visitor.

Bishop Neumann's fondness for articles of devotion
had in it something remarkably childlike. He greatly
venerated holy relics, numbers of which he always had
in his possession. These he used to exhibit to his visi
tors as precious treasures, relating the while some
beautiful traits from the lives of the saints to whom
they belonged. He often divided them himself into
small particles, enclosed them in reliquaries, sealed
them, and affixed thereto a certificate of authen
ticity. He delighted in presenting them to his priests
and religious, with an injunction to value them highly
and venerate them lovingly.

The Building of the Cathedral. 381

CHAPTER VIII.
The Building of the Cathedral.

WE have seen that the Cathedral of Bishop Neu
mann's episcopal city was but recently com
menced at the period of his taking possession of it; but
in its progress and completion he took the liveliest in
terest. That he was endowed with qualifications for carry
ing on the great work we may learn from a remark made
by Bishop O'Connor, of Pittsburg. When the prelates
of the Baltimore Province assembled in 1851 to propose
three candidates for the vacant see of Philadelphia, the
learned and saintly Bishop O'Connor, on giving his
vote, spoke as follows: " Philadelphia must have a
Bishop that can build the Cathedral. Since the Re-
demptorist Father Neumann knows how to erect fine
churches with small means, I give him my vote."
Bishop O'Connor here made allusion to the beautiful
church of St. Philomena built by Father Neumann
during the period of his rectorship in Pittsburg.

The foundation of the Cathedral, Philadelphia, had
been laid by Bishop Neumann's predecessor, Most Rev.
Archbishop Kenrick, on September^, 1846.

In his first Pastoral the new Bishop reminded the
faithful of their obligation to contribute according to
their means to the erection of a temple worthy of the
Lord. On May 4, 1852, he issued a circular exhorting
his flock to renewed exertions in this so important
matter, and inviting their attendance at a meeting to be
held for the purpose of taking measures for its comple
tion. A committee was appointed to aid the Bishop.
In his opening address Bishop Neumann made known

382 Life of Bishop Neumann.

his resolve to go on with the building only as long as he
could command the funds necessary for it, only when he
had money in hand; for the Cathedral, he said, should
have no debts. The want of means had caused the dis
continuance of the work, but it should be resumed as
soon as the contributions uf the faithful authorized
such a step. The Bishop made the following proposal
to the committee, which was readily accepted:

"In every parish throughout the diocese let collectors
keep a list of contributors' names, together with the
amount subscribed, the money to be handed over to the
pastor, who will forward it to the treasurer."

The annual mass-meeting for the benefit of the Cathe
dral was always well attended, and at it the Bishop
generally presided. A remarkable feature of these
grand meetings was their unbroken peace and harmony.
At one of them,, the Bishop spoke as follows: " The
report that Rev. Mr.jWaldron will read to us presently
proves that the erection of the Cathedral has been con
tinued with the same zeal and earnestness as it was
begun under the direction of my most reverend prede
cessor. We are hopeful that a similar zeal will bring
the great work to a happy completion. The circum
stances, however, of its progressing slowly ought not to
discourage any one, nor should any be tempted to doubt
of its ever being finished. Such an assertion would
offend Divine Providence. The old saying holds good
here: ' What is to last long must be built slowly.' Our
principal object in moving thus slowly is that the faith
ful may not be taxed too heavily, since every parish has
its own institutions to support.

" If we make the same progress in the future that we
have done in the past, this beautiful house of the Lord
will certainly be finished. It will be not only an orna
ment to the city, but a monument of the fervent piety
and self-sacrificing spirit of the faithful of this diocese.
The contributions received in the past, with the names

The Building of the Cathedral. 383

of the contributors, are a certain proof that all with few
exceptions have done their duty. This knowledge must
be a new stimulus for the future." (Applause.)

After the secretary had read the amount of receipts
and expenditures during the preceding year, several
prominent members of the clergy and laity addressed
the meeting in terms expressive of their approval of the
Bishop's suggestions.

At the meeting of the following year, 1857, Bishop
Neumann remarked that the Catholics in the diocese
amounted to three hundred thousand souls, of whom one
half belonged to Philadelphia. So large a number was
an additional reason why the Cathedral should soon be
completed.

In 1858 the walls were up, and on September 13,
1859, the keystone was set and the cross placed in posi
tion. This event was commemorated by a celebration
in which several prelates and a large number of the
clergy participated. Right Rev. Martin John Spalding,
Bishop of Louisville, preached to an immense concourse
of people, taking for the subject of his discourse the
signification of the cross. The ceremony of blessing
was performed by Right Rev. Bishop Wood, Bishop
Neumann's coadjutor.

Bishop Neumann presided, his heart overflowing
with gratitude to the Almighty for the success thus far
attained in the great undertaking. He had the joy and
consolation of seeing the exterior of his Cathedral
finished. He was richly compensated for the weight of
care that had rested upon him, for the efforts he had
made in the past seven years to bring it to its present
advanced state.

The style of the Philadelphia Cathedral is the modern
Roman cruciform. It is one of the largest sacred edi
fices in the United States, being one hundred and thirty-
six feet wide, two hundred and sixteen long, two
hundred and ten feet high to the roof of the dome,

384 Life of Bishop Neumann.

which latter measures seventy-one feet in diameter.
The middle nave is fifty feet wide, and is separated from
the two side aisles by massive fluted columns of the
Corinthian order. The side aisles are seventy-two feet
in width, and nearly equal in height to the central nave.
The sanctuary is fifty feet broad and forty-four feet
long, affording ample space for the performance of
ceremonies on grand festivals and other occasions. The
two side-aisle chapels are each twenty-two by twenty-
four feet, and surmounted by domes of smaller dimen
sions than the central one. The grand entrance is sup
ported by four pillars sixty feet high, and, like the en
tire building, is of the richest and purest Corinthian
style. Over this entrance is read the inscription, ""Ad
majorem Dei gloriam " — " For the greater glory of God."

Despite the Bishop's energy and the support he re
ceived from the faithful, the construction of the Cathe
dral proceeded slowly, owing to the fact that the work
was carried on only when funds for the same were
on hand. Foreseeing that many years would elapse
before it would be ready for service, the Bishop, for the
accommodation of the parishioners, erected in 1857, on
a lot adjoining his residence, a large chapel so con
structed as to answer the purposes of a school-house at
some future day.

The Bishop viewed with horror that want of foresight
which here in America so often involves church-property
in debt; and he frequently raised his voice against such
rashness in the erection of churches, schools, etc. He
admonished his clergy never to embark in these under
takings without his special permission. This wise and
judicious command could not, however, prevent ecclesi
astical property from sometimes being thus placed in
jeopardy. Certain unfortunate circumstances combined
at one time to embarrass the finances of St. Alphonsus'
Church, Philadelphia. The sacred edifice was on the
point of being put up at sale in order to satisfy the de-

The Building of the Cathedral. 385

mands of its creditors. The Bishop heard of it, and
hastened to adopt suitable measures to relieve the
church of its debts. Some prominent citizens advised
him to leave the church in the hands of the creditors for
a public sale, at which he could buy it in himself for less
than its amount of indebtedness. But the Bishop could
not reconcile such a proceeding to his own ideas of jus
tice. Discarding the well-meant advice, he set about
using such means as he deemed prudent and necessary
to raise the requisite funds. His efforts were success
ful, and he was enabled to satisfy the creditors without
sacrificing the property. Almighty God manifestly lent
a blessing to the good Bishop's conscientiousness, for
the church is now free from debt.

386 Life of BisJwp Neumann.

CHAPTER IX.

Bishop Neumann visits Rome and his Native

Place.

IN October, 1854, Bishop Neumann received from the
Holy Father, Pius IX., a formal invitation to the
Eternal City, to be present at the solemn promulgation
of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the
Mother of God. The heart of the holy Bishop beat with
joy. A devoted client of the Queen of Heaven, the
triumph of his Lady was happiness to him, and to be
able to join with the Head of the Church in celebrating
her glorious prerogative was a favor not to be discarded.
He had, besides, long desired to make a pilgrimage to
the tomb of the Apostles, and to give to the Holy Father
a verbal account of the state of his diocese. The
thought that his absence might be detrimental to his
flock had made him waive his desires on this head; now,
however, at the call of Peter, hesitation vanished, and
he at once set about arrangements for his journey. On
October 2ist he sailed from New York in the steamer
Union. Before his departure he issued a Pastoral
whose every word, filled with unction and piety,
breathes the sentiments of his own filial heart for the
Mother of God. The portion relating to the Immacu
late Conception runs as follows:

"And since one of the principal intentions of the
reigning Pontiff in proclaiming this jubilee has been by
means of your united suffrages to obtain the grace of
the Holy Spirit in giving a decision on the subject of
the Immaculate Conception of the ever-venerable Virgin
Mother of Jesus Christ, shall we not confidently believe

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 387

that abundant light will be imparted to him and to the
prelates now convened around his throne in the Eternal
City ? As the long-wished-for day approaches, let us
pray still more fervently, attentive to the invitation of
the Church we so often hear, ' Sursum Corda!' Let us
lift up our hearts in frequent, earnest prayer that the de
cision may be such as will redound to the praise of the
adorable Trinity, the salvation of man, and to the honor
of her who, next to God, is indeed the

Cceli Gloria,
Beata Spes Mortalium,

the eternal joy and glory of the heavens, the ever-
blessed hope of fallen man. If such be the will of God
and your piety deserves it, before the close of this year
we may hear again the voice of Peter, as when the days
of Pentecost were accomplished, making known by the
lips of Pius IX. to the assembled representatives of
every nation under heaven that from henceforth and
forever all generations of true believers shall invoke
Mary, Mother of God, as THE EVER-IMMACULATE VIRGIN,

CONCEIVED WITHOUT STAIN OF ORIGINAL SIN.

" Such appears to be the expectation of the whole
Catholic world. The looking forward for the 'coming
of the Messias,' her Divine Son, Christ Jesus, was not
more general in the time before His advent than is this
universal expectation that the Vicegerent of that same
Divine Son, our Hoty Father, will decide that the
Blessed Virgin was never stained by original sin; that
by a special privilege, which the Almighty could cer
tainly grant, Mary was always exempt from that law
to which all the other children of Adam are subject;
that, from the first moment of her existence, Mary was
perfect purity itself in the sight of God; and that,
therefore, the words of Holy Writ and of Christian
antiquity are to be understood in their literal sense
when it is said, ' Thou art all-beautiful, O Virgin Mary!

388 Life of Bishop Neumann.

and there is not a spot in thee. In thee no spot of sin
either is, or ever was, or ever will be.' ' Tota pulchra es,
Virgo Maria ! et macula non est in te; macula peccati non est
in te, neque unquam fuit nee erit?

" Although the Church has not yet declared the Im
maculate Conception to be an article of faith, neverthe
less it is evident she cherishes this most just and pious
belief with a loving constancy second only to that in
fallible certainty with which she maintains the truth of
all those doctrines the acceptance of which is necessary
for salvation. With a zeal probably never surpassed in
former ages, the subject has been investigated by many
of the most gifted and holy men now living; and with
such a munificent outlay of ancient and modern learn
ing, of profound argument and soul-stirring eloquence
have they treated it, as to leave not only the more de
vout clients of Mary, but every unbiassed mind con
vinced beyond the possibility of doubt, that if there
be anything certainly true, next to the defined doctrines
of faith, it is this apostolic and therefore ancient and
beautiful belief.

" Hence it is not surprising that, wherever enlight
ened piety exists, hardly a moment's hesitation on
this subject will be entertained. * Caro Jesu ! Caro
Maria/'- — 'The flesh of Jesus is the flesh of Mary! ' —
they will at once exclaim with the great St. Augustine.
How can it be that the God of all purity, to whom even
the least shadow of sin is an object of eternal abhor
rence, should have suffered His Virgin Mother to be,
even for an instant, such an object in His sight ? From
her He received that flesh and blood — that human na
ture in which, made one with the Divinity, He redeemed
the world: and can we believe that the same in Mary's
person, in any possible degree, was ever sullied by the
demon's breath, dishonored by the taint of guilt ? Or,
again, with St. Cyril the pious Catholic will ask, 'Who
hath ever heard that an architect built a glorious dwell-

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 389

ing for himself and at once gave it over to be possessed
by his most cruel and hated enemy?'

''If there were no other words of Holy Writ on this
topic than these — 'Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who
is called Christ ' (St. Matt. i. 16.) — they would be amply
sufficient. Behold the divine fact that overthrows
every difficulty, the inspired oracle that sweeps away
every objection!

''Never, Christian brethren, never can we admit that
she was for one moment the slave of the devil; — the
Virgin who was destined to be the Mother of God, the
Spouse of the Holy Spirit, the Ark of the New Covenant,
the Mediatrix of Mankind, the Terror of the Powers of
Darkness, the Queen of all the Heavenly Hosts.

"Purer than heaven's purest angel, brighter than its
brightest seraph, Mary, after her Creator, God, — who
made and gave her all, — is the most perfect of beings, the
masterpiece of Infinite Wisdom, Almighty Power, and
Eternal Love.

" To such a being we cannot reasonably suppose that
a perfection was denied which had been already gratui
tously bestowed on inferior creatures — on the Angelic
Spirits, for example, some of whom afterward fell away
from God and are lost forever. And again, the first
man and the first woman were created sinless — pure as
the virgin world on which the Almighty had just looked
down with infinite delight and declared it to be * valde
bona ! ' — exceeding good ! How just and natural, therefore,
— may we not add, how unavoidable? — is the conclusion
that this sublime privilege was not withheld from Mary,
set apart as she was from all eternity for an office and for
honors in the kingdom of God, to which no other created
being ever will or can be exalted! The more so since pro
found divines do not hesitate to assert that, rather than
be without the grace conferred upon her in her Immacu
late Conception, and thus, though only for an instant,
an object of God's displeasure, Mary would have pre-

390 Life of Bishop Neumann.

ferrcd to forfeit forever the infinite dignity of being
the Mother of Jesus Christ.

"Gladly would we dwell more at length on the sub
ject, but as you may yourselves observe the occasion does
not allow it. The few thoughts we have uttered are but
the echo of Christian antiquity, of the faith, the filial
love, the confidence in Mary, when apostles and evange
lists were still on earth and revered her name.

"How profound should be our gratitude in being
able to say, that name we also reverence, their confi
dence in Mary we cherish, their filial love we share,
their faith is ours! Could the Martyrs and Virgins, the
heroic confessors of the faith, the renowned Fathers and
Doctors of the Church, 'beloved of God and men, and
whose memory is in benediction ' (Eccles. xlv.) — could
these arise and unite their voices to those of their suc
cessors now around the Chair of Peter, what would be
their testimony ? They would point to their immortal
writings, and in the language of St. Augustine, so worthy
a representative of the genius, wisdom, and piety of the
primitive Church, they would remind us that when they
speak of the law by which all the children of Adam are
born children of wrath, ''they speak not of Mary,' with re
gard to whom, on account of the honor due to our Lord,
when they discourse of sin they wish to raise no question
whatsoever. (Lib. de nat. et grat.) Nay, with an Amen,
loud as that which St. Jerome tells us rolled through the
magnificent churches of Rome like the thunder of hea
ven, they would respond to the following declaration of
the Council of Trent (Sess. V.): ' This Holy Synod de
clares that it is not its intention to include in this decree,
where original sin is spoken of, the Blessed and Immac
ulate Mother of God.'

"May the day soon dawn upon the world — whether it
be in our unhappy times or not — when with one mind
and heart Christendom will acknowledge and proclaim
this her most honorable privilege! Meanwhile, submit-

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 391

ting every thought, word, and wish to the judgment of
the Church, we shall continue to confess her power, re
garding Mary as that 'great sign ' which St. John saw
in heaven — a woman so resplendent with light, grace,
and dignity that he describes her as 'a woman clothed
with the sun; with the moon beneath her feet, and on
her head a crown of twelve stars; whose Son shall rule
the nations with an iron rod: and her Son was taken up
to God, and to His throne.' (Apoc. xii.)

"And should the Dragon of Impiety spoken of in the
same mysterious vision, whose power to seduce the na
tions is but too evident, still continue to make war on God
and His Church; should the fearful days of wide-spread
unbelief foretold by the Apostles prove to be our own,
when men will no longer endure sound doctrine, but,
according to their own desires, will heap up to them
selves teachers/ having lying lips; turning away their
hearing from the truth to give heed to fables ; speaking
proud words of vain philosophy ; despising government
and all majesty ; audacious, self-willed; fearing not to
bring in sects; promising their followers liberty, whereas
they themselves are the slaves of corruption — days of
calamity in which, the same inspired teachers warn us,
men will blaspheme whatever things they know not,
that is, the unsearchable ways of God and mysteries of
religion ; and what things soever they naturally do
know, in these they will be corrupted mockers, mur-
murers, full of complaints, inventors of evil things; diso
bedient to parents; without affection, without fidelity;
walking according to their own desires in ungodliness;
filled with avarice and envy; counting for a pleasure the
delights of a day; sporting themselves to excess; rioting
in their feasts with you, having their eyes full of adul
tery and never-ceasing sin ; alluring unstable souls who
have lost their faith and, leaving the right way, will in
the end discover that they have been following ' wander
ing stars to whom the storm of darkness is reserved

39 2 Life of Bishop Neumann.

forever;' — Christian brethren, if these be the times in
store for the already afflicted Church of Jesus Christ, in
the midst of which, with fear and trembling, we her
children are to work out our salvation, to whom can we
turn with more confidence than to His Divine Mother,
whom the Church has never invoked in vain ?

" Hail ! Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy ! Guard the
kingdom of the Christ-loving Pius, our chief Bishop.
Pray for the people. Intercede for the clergy. Protect
the consecrated virgins. Unto us all give strength
against our enemies and thine, courage to the fearful,
joy to those that mourn, peace to the contrite of heart,
perseverance to the just. Let all experience thy pro
tection, Virgin and Mother ! through wrhom the nations
are brought to penitence, the demons are put to flight,
and they that sit in darkness and the shadow of death
are filled with the knowledge and the love of thy Son !

"Given under our hand, at our residence in Philadel
phia, on the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo, in the year
of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four.
u*i*JOHN NEPOMUCEN^,

" Bishop of Philadelphia:'

The above, though somewhat lengthy, we have
thought well to insert because of its intrinsic beauty, as
well as the knowledge it affords of Bishop Neumann's
sentiments on the question at issue, the Immaculate
Conception of the ever Blessed Virgin.

After a rough voyage of seventeen days, the Bishop
landed safe at Havre on the morning of the ;th of No
vember. Eager to reach the Eternal City, he hurried on
to Marseilles, where he embarked for Civita Vecchia.

He had written to his aged father from Paris to in
form him of his arrival in Europe, and also of his inten
tion to visit him on his return from Rome. Great was
the joy of that little household in Prachatitz. Father
and sisters exulted in the thought of having again

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 393

among them, after an absence of over eighteen years,
him who had left them under far different circumstances.
This journey to Rome furnished an occasion for old Mr.
Neumann to give emphatic utterance to his own stanch
belief in the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
"But why," said the old gentleman, "why must the
Bishops be summoned from America to Rome to tell us
that the Most Blessed Virgin was conceived without sin ?
Have we not always believed that ?"

While in Rome, Bishop Neumann stayed at Monterone,
a convent of the Redemptorist Fathers, where his reli
gious bearing delighted and edified his brethren.

The Fathers remarked in him two virtues especially,
viz., humility and poverty. He traversed the streets of
Rome divested of every external sign of his ecclesiastical
dignity; and, unless when obliged to appear in them at
public meetings of the prelates, or when visiting the
Holy Father and his cardinals, he never assumed the
episcopal insignia. The most inclement weather could
not deter him from going on foot, as he was unwilling
to incur useless expense. His extraordinary humility
and poverty often exacted of him a solitary walk, as he
could find no one willing to bear him companionship ;
but, " never less alone than when alone," the good Bishop
thought little of such a privation. Intent on satisfying
the devotion that consumed him, he was, we may believe,
well pleased to be allowed to do so observed by none
save God and His holy angels. His spirit of retirement
and mortification, joined to the strict observance of the
rules, won for him golden opinions among the inmates
of Monterone. Rome furnished ample food for his piety.
He visited the Holy Places, and gazed upon those objects
of devotion with which the city abounds, as we have
learned from his own words. But, humble and retired
as he was, the saintly Bishop could not escape notice.
The attention of the Cardinals and of the Holy Father
himself was soon turned upon him, and he was more

394 Life of BisJiop Neumann*

than once summoned to private audiences with the
highest dignitaries of the papal court, who conferred
many marks of distinction upon him. When first pre
sented to the pope, His Holiness graciously addressed
him in these words : " Bishop Neumann of Philadelphia!
Is not obedience better than sacrifice?" — thus recalling
the formal command he had received to accept the
bishopric of the above-named city. Pius IX. listened
with interest to the Bishop's report of his diocese, gave
some decisions highly satisfactory to the prelate, and
conferred upon him numerous privileges and faculties
for the benefit of his flock.

Each of the prelates then assembled in Rome received
from the Holy Father a silver medal commemorative of
the great day on which the dogma of the Immaculate
Conception was solemnly defined. On one side is
an image of Pope Pius IX., on the reverse the interior
of St. Peter's, representing the scene in which the Holy
Father, as the Vicar of Jesus Christ, surrounded by
Cardinals and Bishops, solemnly declared the Immacu
late Conception of the Mother of God to be an article
of faith.

In a letter from Rome to a priest in Bohemia, under
date December 17, 1854, Bishop Neumann says; " To
describe the solemnity of the 8th instant would be
greatly beyond my power, even had I time to do so.
You may see from the programme enclosed the cere
monies of that glorious occasion. I thank God that, to
the multiplied graces already bestowed upon me, He
has added this of having been present in Rome on that
day."

We shall now follow the good Bishop to the home of
his childhood, the little town of Prachatitz, toward which
filial piety and fraternal affection drew him. He set out
like a poor religious, pausing on the way to satisfy his
devotion at various places of religious veneration. A
pilgrim who had become acquainted with him in Rome

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 395

met him again at Ancona, in the garb of a simple cleric;
he was astonished at the plainness exhibited in his dress
and in his whole manner of living. This careful con
cealment of everything that could betray his rank
caused the Bishop no little inconvenience on one occa
sion. He was travelling through Austria. One night
whilst riding in a stage-coach, a gendarme demanded
their passports of the passengers. The Bishop produced
his; but as it was in English, with which language the offi
cial was unfamiliar, he refused to receive it. Despite the
cold and the lateness of the hour, for it was night, he
ordered the Bishop to follow him on foot to the next
station. The snow lay deep on the ground; so, to
escape this unpleasant alternative, the Bishop had no
other resource than to produce his episcopal cross and
ring. At sight of these the gendarme was satisfied and
withdrew without further remark.

Bishop Neumann's profound reverence for the mystery
of the Incarnation and his ardent love for the Infant
Jesus drew him to the Holy House of Loretto. With
indescribable devotion he offered here the Holy Sacri
fice, and placed in Mary's hands his hopes, his desires,
and his intentions.

On reaching Vienna he visited his former fellow-stu
dent, Rev. Adalbert Schmid, who had for many years
been discharging the functions of the priestly office in
the seminary of Graz, Styria. Several days were here
spent, the two friends renewing the sweet ties of friend
ship formed long ago in early youth, and communicating
to each other the joys and sorrows that marked the life
of each in that long separation of eighteen years.

Whilst in Vienna, Bishop Neumann tarried some days
with his brethren in their convent of " Maria Stiegen."
On Saturday he preached o-iftOvm^-tJieemH^se- on devo
tion to the Mother of God and her high prerogatives,
dwelling especially upon her Immaculate Conception.
His animation and fervor, his lively faith and childlike

396 Life of Bishop Neumann.

love toward the Queen of Heaven, deeply impressed his
hearers.

On his journey to Vienna the Bishop lost a small
trunk, containing all the relics he had procured, not
without considerable trouble, in Rome, Loretto, and
other places. The loss was a grievous one to him. He
telegraphed to every station at which there was any
likelihood of its having been left, but from all he
received the same return : " No trunk of that description
here." Deeply lamenting the loss of his sacred treas
ures, the Bishop paced up and down the railway station,
reflecting upon some means of obtaining a clue to their
whereabouts. Suddenly he remembered St. Anthony
of Padua. He vowed to say Mass the next day in his
honor, and, if put in possession of the missing property,
to expose the picture of the saint to public veneration
in one of the churches of his diocese. Scarcely was the
vow uttered, when a young man approached and accosted
him: "Right Reverend Bishop, here is your trunk."
With an exclamation of glad surprise, the Bishop gazed
at the object of his anxious search, as if to assure him
self of its identity, whilst the thought flashed through
his mind, How did the stranger know that he was a
Bishop, since nothing in his dress indicated his rank ?
He raised his eyes to question the youth, but, lo! he
was gone. He looked right and left, but nowhere was
he to be seen; he had disappeared as suddenly as he
had come. With a heart full of thanksgiving for this
miraculous intervention of the saint, the Bishop fulfilled
his vow. The £u-ll leiTgth portrait of the saint which he
had painted on this occasion may still be seen in what
was once the Cathedral Chapel, Philadelphia. It occu
pies the same position as during the Bishop's lifetime.

From Vienna the Bishop pursued his way to Prague,
where he visited his sister Johanna, who for the last
fourteen years had led the religious life among the
Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo. Her name

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 397

in religion was Sister Mary Caroline. This was indeed
a joyful meeting. Sister Mary Caroline was next in age
to her holy brother, and similarity of vocation had
strengthened the bonds of family affection between
them. The Bishop visited the churches of Prague on
foot in order to venerate the relics of the saints, in which
the city is rich. His friend Rev. Hermann Dichtl intro
duced him to the pious Emperor Ferdinand, who re
ceived him cordially and invited him to the imperial
table. The most welcome part of the entertainment
was the dessert, at which the Emperor caused a hand
some sum, all in the gold coin of the United States, to
be laid on a plate and presented to the Bishop, as an
offering toward his new Cathedral.

At Budweis, the episcopal see of his native place,
Bishop Neumann was hospitably received by Right Rev.
Bishop Valentine lirsik, who took a lively interest in all
that concerned the diocese of Philadelphia. Here our
traveller stayed some days. One morning he unexpect
edly informed his host of his intention to depart the
next hour for Prachatitz, his native city. Bishop lirsik
surprised at the announcement, inquired his reasons for
so sudden a departure. " I wish to ente.r Prachatitz un
noticed," answered his guest. The humble Bishop, by
forestalling the time of his arrival, wished to make any
thing like a public reception impossible. Bishop Valen
tine urged him to defer his departure for some days, at
least; but, finding him resolved upon starting at once,
he begged him to accept the use of his carnage. This,
too, the lowly follower of a lowly Saviour declined, say
ing playfully, " Every child on the road might then cry
out, 'There goes the Bishop of Budweis! '"

On February 2d, shortly after dinner, he left Budweis
in a close sleigh, expecting to reach his home unnoticed
and take his family by surprise that evening. Not so,
however, reckoned the good people of Prachatitz. They
had resolved upon receiving the Bishop of Philadelphia

398 Life of Bishop Neumann.

in grand style, and they were not to be defeated in their
design. Aware of his great humility, they instinctively
knew that their looked-for guest would endeavor to
shun any demonstration in his honor, and they had,
accordingly, provided for such a contingency. One of
their number had been appointed to take notes at Bud-
weis, and to find out the exact time of the Bishop's de
parture for Prachatitz. No sooner had good Adalbert
Benesch, the messenger in question, obtained the de
sired information, than he set out on foot and, in true
courier fashion, announced at every house on the road
that Bishop Neumann would soon pass that way.

Alas for the poor Bishop! His well-arranged plans were
all frustrated. Scarcely was he well on his journey,
when out flocked -whole families to receive the episcopal
blessing. In the little town of Nettolitz, midway be
tween Budweis and Prachatitz, the humility of the
Bishop met a still greater shock. When the sleigh came
in sight, the bells of the town rang out a peal of wel
come, and all the good folks, the clergy at their head,
turned out in procession and escorted him to the
church. Here he gave them his episcopal benediction
and addressed to them a few words. How was his
arrival known ? what did it all mean ? were questions
that puzzled the disappointed traveller. They were
soon solved; and great was his dread that all his care
to enter Prachatitz quietly would meet with a simi
lar result. "Ah!" said he to his young nephew, who
had gone forward to meet him; "we must try to
slip out of this place as quietly as possible. If they find
out that we are going, they will pass the word to Pra
chatitz, and all our plans will be vain. Let us send
the sleigh back to Budweis, and walk the rest of the
way. It is only a journey of three hours. I know the
road well. Many a time I travelled it when a student.
We can enter the city in a direction opposite that by
which they will expect us."

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 399

Scarcely were the words uttered, when the clergy and
town officials gathered around him, begging him not to
refuse them the honor of remaining till the next morn
ing. The Bishop, thus urged, was forced to yield. He
remained, celebrated Mass in the parish church at eight
o'clock, and by half-past nine was ready to depart. The
large square before the church was crowded by those
who had come to see the Bishop and receive his blessing.
At last, amid hearty cheers and the ringing of bells, he
escaped from their noisy adieus. "Alas!" sighed he,
" what have these good people done ? May God forgive
them for having led me into the temptation of vanity!"
The crowds that surrounded him at the moment of start
ing prevented his noticing that, instead of the ordinary
sLeigh in which he had come, the magnificent equipage
of the Prince of Schwarzenberg had been substituted.
The Prince had given orders to his steward to offer his
own sleigh for Bishop Neumann's accommodation as
far as Prachatitz. True to his character, the Bishop
shrank from such a display, and declined with expres
sions of gratitude and appreciation the kind offer of the
Prince. The steward, however, was not to be baffled.
He gave orders for the sleigh to be kept in readiness for
the Bishop and his nephew; and long before the ap
pointed hour, with its four spirited horses and liveried
attendants, it took up a position so near to the pastor's
residence that the Bishop's poor equipage could not
approach.

Lightly they bounded over the crisp snow in the
direction of Prachatitz amid the pealing of bells and
the firing of signal-guns. Clerics, town-officials, and
private citizens, in sleighs, met them at a short dis
tance from the town, and welcomed the Bishop in
the name of the city. After the ceremony of kissing
the episcopal ring, the sleighs moved on in proces
sion. At the little village called Old Prachatitz a
crowd had assembled. The civic guard, headed by a

400 Life of Bishop Neumann.

magnificent band, stood in line on both sides of the
street, and, when the Bishop approached, saluted him
with military honors. The drums sounded, the musi
cians united in one grand chorus, and the cheers of the
multitude rent the air. After this demonstration the
band struck up a lively march, the city bells began to
ring, and the procession moved forward. The scene
was one of triumph. It was a reception such as might
have been extended to a conqueror returning with well-
earned laurels.

The ancient city-gate was richly decorated with ap
propriate emblems and inscriptions, conspicuous among
them the episcopal insignia. Was it through this same
old gateway, eighteen years before, that, as a young man,
he whom we have followed with so much interest had
passed at the call of God ? Friendless, companionless,
almost penniless, he had gone to battle for the cause of
God, to win numberless victories over the powers of
darkness, and to snatch myriads of souls from the
enemy's grasp. And this return, this ovation despite
his own efforts at concealment — surely, the judgments
of the Lord are incomprehensible and His ways past
finding out!

On entering the city, the Bishop was greeted by the
imperial officers ranged on either side of the gate
way, whilst the street, as far as the eye could reach, was
lined with people who knelt devoutly as he passed.
Next came the children of the schools to welcome him
in a short address; and then followed the Dean, Rev.
Father Fucik, surrounded by the clergy. The Bishop
was conducted to the church, where, before the high
altar, was intoned a solemn Te Deum, which the choir
.mid orehgBti'a continued. What were the B.ishop's emo
tions as he knelt before that altar where eighteen years
before, February £, 1836, he had prayed God in the Holy
Eucharist to help and guide him in his new career! His
heart overflowed with love and gratitude at the thought

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 401

of the innumerable blessings showered upon him. He
arose and, ascending the steps of the sanctuary, ad
dressed the crowd in stirring accents. He told them of
the mercies of the Lord during the past eighteen years, of
the work of God in the far-off land from which he had
come; and he referred all the glory to the Most High,
who had led him back once more to his native place.
He thanked his fellow-citizens for their gracious recep
tion; by their zeal to honor the episcopal dignity in his
person they evinced, he said, their love for Holy Church
and for her Founder, Jesus Christ. After these and
other remarks of a like nature, the Bishop gave the as
sembled multitude his solemn benediction.

And now drew near the moment for the meeting be
tween the saintly son and the venerable father. His
advanced age and the unfavorable weather prevented
Mr. Neumann's leaving the house. The Bishop had
received an invitation to make the deanery his home
during his stay in Prachatitz; but this he thankfully de
clined. "The few days of my stay in my native place,"
he said, " I must spend with my old father. Filial affec
tion exacts this of me." In the same spirit he refused,
also, to enter the Prince's sleigh again. He was as well
able now to go on foot to his father's house as he was in
his youth, he said; and so he set out surrounded by
priests and officials.

A vast crowd had already assembled around Mr. Neu
mann's dwelling, eager to witness the meeting between
father and son. The hum of voices gradually died away
as the Bishop drew near; silence reigned throughout the
crowd, and all eyes turned in fixed attention to the
venerable figure standing in trembling expectancy in the
doorway. One moment, and the long-absent son is
clasped to the father's heart! Tears bedewed every
cheek, and words of thanksgiving arose on all sides for
this happy reunion, this foretaste of eternal bliss.. One
of the bystanders exclaimed, "Oh, that his mother were

402 Life of Bishop Neumann.

alive to share in this happiness!" To which the Bishop
quickly replied: "She sees us, she sees us! My good
mother is looking down upon us; she is rejoicing with us."

The Bishop, narrating this circumstance afterward,
remarked: "My good old father actually bore me in his
arms up the stairs. My feet never once touched the
steps."

Relatives and friends and the companions of his youth
pressed around to kiss his hand and receive his blessing.
It was long past noon, and still, despite the cold, hun
dreds besieged the house eager to approach the man of
God. At last, Mr. Neumann, seeing no other way of
procuring for his son the rest and refreshment he so
greatly needed, ordered the doors to be closed, and
begged him to dismiss the crowd with a blessing from
the window. But not even this could induce the good
people to disperse, so great was their fear of losing an
opportunity to catch a glimpse of him of whom they
were so justly proud. Crowds came and went from
early morn till late at night during those six days of his
stay in Prachatitz. People flocked from the country
around to see the Bishop from America and to get his
blessing. Indeed, so great was the concourse that the
good Bishop's safety was, at times, endangered. Strong
arms had to be stretched forth to protect him from the
eagerness of indiscreet admirers who, unmindful of all
save the gratification of their own desires, stumbled over
chairs and upset tables, in their onward course. This ac
count may to some wear the semblance of exaggeration;
but when we reflect that Bishop Neumann's reputation
for holiness had long before spread among those who
had known him in his boyhood and youth, and who, in
turn, transmitted their knowledge to their children, we
shall readily comprehend why they flocked in crowds to
receive his blessing and some pious token of remem
brance from his hand. There he stood, calm, meek,
recollected amidst the honors heaped upon him, affable

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 403

and kind to all. Not one went away disappointed. All
without exception were allowed to kiss his hand, receiv
ing from him at the same moment a medal of the Im
maculate Conception, a picture, or a rosary.

Even'' morning at eight o'clock he said Mass in the
parish church, which was crowded as on a grand
festival. On Sunday, moreover, he assisted at the High
Mass and preached, we may say, to the entire city, for
all turned out to hear him. In burning and convincing
words he addressed his hearers upon the inestimable
benefits bestowed upon us by our holy faith, and of out-
strict obligation to live in accordance with it. His
apostolic zeal and unfeigned humility produced a power
ful impression. Years have passed since that memo
rable visit to Prachatitz, and yet the words he then
uttered still live in the memory of many of his hearers.
The negligent, who rarely darkened the church-door,
went on that occasion through a motive of curiosity;
but, as they afterward acknowledged, the earnest words
of the saintly Bishop powerfully stimulated them to a
more fervent Christian life. A famous scoffer at religion
was among the number who listened to the apostolic
Bishop. After the sermon he remarked, "Ah! wrere I
often to hear that Bishop, I feel that, whether or not, I
should have to be converted."

On the second day of his stay in Prachatitz a formal
reception was tendered him in the town-hall. The most
spacious apartment was tastefully decorated for the
occasion with festive wreaths, inscriptions, and the
episcopal insignia. The orchestra executed several fine
pieces composed expressly for the occasion; the imperial
and the civil officials addressed the Bishop in befitting
terms expressive of their appreciation of the honor
conferred on their city by his visit. After this, a little
girl in white stepped forward and, in a short address,
presented the Bishop, in the name of the citizens of
Prachatitz, a magnificent album.

404 Life of Bishop Neumann.

The album was of Parisian make, artistically bound
in different kinds of foreign wood. It had been ordered
for this joyous occasion. On the first three leaves, in
illuminated colors and gold, is the dedication of the
memorial; then follows a poem with the autograph sig
natures of the most prominent citizens. (We subjoin a
translation of both, though we warn the reader not to
judge the original by it. The harmony and flow of the
German rhythm can ill be reproduced in English.)

" To His Lordship the Right Rev. Bishop

JOHN NEPOMUCENE NEUMANN,

Bishop of Philadelphia, etc.,

The best of sons, the pride and honor of his native
place, this memorial is respectfully dedicated, as a
slight token of esteem, by the representatives of the city
in commemoration of his happy return to the home of
his infancy, and in memory of his departure thence.

" PRACHATITZ, the year of our Lord 1855.

" God hath not given thee in vain

A noble soul, a spirit choice.
Regardless of all toil and pain,

Go forth, obedient to His voice !
For thou hast heard the call divine

Unto a life of toil and care ;
But, fired with love, that soul of thine

Shrinks not to labor everywhere.
Like to the fishermen of old,

Obedient to the Master's call,
With hearts sincere, with spirits bold,

Who left their nets, who gave their all,
Thou, too, hast gladly cast aside

The glittering fetters of the heart
And all that flatters human pride,

To choose the nobler, l better part*
Led on by God's protecting hand,

Across Atlantic's billows far,
Unto a strange, benighted land,

The holy cross, thy guiding star,

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 405

That standard of our saving faith,

In triumph there thou didst display —
Thou'lt grasp it faithful unto death,

Loyal and true thou'lt own its sway.
Thy God watched o'er thee when alone

On arid plain, in forest dim,
Where thou the seed of faith hath sown,

And nourished well for love of Him,
Who well repaid thy toil and pain,

Since thou didst labor for thy God; —
Lo ! it sprang up as golden grain,

And idols sank beneath the sod.
Because a faithful servant thou

In lesser things hath been, thy Lord
Hath set thee over greater now,

And glorious shall be thy reward.
Hail, faithful shepherd ! to thy fame

Thy Lord hath added honors new,
Far, far beyond all earthly claim,

Rich guerdon of the ' chosen few.'
Off in the West, where thy flock feeds,

The Lord of Hosts bestowed on thee,
For noble acts, heroic deeds,

In Holy Church high dignity.
Thee hath the Lord most kindly led

To view once more thy childhood's home,
To greet loved friends, whose hearts oft sped

In anxious thought where thou didst roam.
O'er prairies vast, through forests grand

That teem with Nature's riches rare, —
Yes, in that strange and distant land

Our spirit traced thee everywhere.
Permit us, then, most honored guest,

Our welcomes at thy feet to lay,
By which the joy that swells our breast

In trembling accents we would say.
Accept the heart-felt salutation,

Feeble though the tribute be, —
Accept the love and veneration

Thy native city brings to thee !
And, noblest of her sons and best,
Whose virtues magnify her fame,

406 Life of Bishop Neumann.

List graciously to our request:

When'er thy glance rests on these names,
Think kindly of thy home of yore.
May God be with thee evermore !

Amen."

The presentation7over, the Bishop arose and expressed
his gratitude for these reiterated proofs of affection from
his fellow-citizens. It was his most earnest desire, he
said, and he would ever pray God for its fulfilment, to
see them remain true and faithful children of Holy
Mother Church. He rejoiced that this opportunity had
been afforded him to give utterance in their pres
ence to his heart-felt appreciation of the pious Christian
education that had been bestowed upon him by his
worthy parents, one of whom was now enjoying the re
ward of the same in the kingdom of heaven. To Rev.
Peter Schmidt, also, he tendered his sincere thanks,
since to him, as Catechist and Director, he felt chiefly
indebted for his present position in the sacred hierarchy.

One afternoon was devoted to his relatives. They were
overjoyed at being allowed to entertain their honored
kinsman as a guest in their own homes. Those eighteen
years of absence, we may well believe, had wrought their
own changes around those firesides. Many who had
presided there in the Bishop's time were now resting
peacefully in the little cemetery outside the city; and
many others, the little ones of long ago, had grown up
to take their place. They, too, knew their saintly rela
tive through the oft-told tales of the elders, and now
that he stood before them, his unaffected kindness and
affability won all hearts.

The next visit was to the hallowed home of the dead,
the resting-place of the loved and lost, among them the
Bishop's own noble, true-hearted mother. She it was
whose lively faith, firm trust in Divine Providence, and
deep love for her gifted boy had made him what he now
was. The distance was great, the weather inclement;

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 407

but go he must, and on foot, too, to kneel at the spot so
sacred to him, the grave of that venerated mother. And
long did he kneel in earnest prayer, his soul communing
with the spirit of the loved departed. Slowly he passed
from mound to mound. Those eighteen years had dotted
that little enclosure with many a stone and cross unseen
before.

Strangers came, priests and friends from a distance, to
pay their respects to Bishop Neumann. The thought of
the episcopal dignity with which he was clothed some
what overawed them at first; but his humble demeanor,
his frank and cordial manners, quickly dispelled all feel
ings of embarrassment, and the most shrinking entered
freely into the general joy. The respectful attention
with which every word the prelate uttered was received
was something remarkable. But in vain did they listen
to catch some word connected with his own labors, when
he spoke of affairs in America. Not one word about
himself. If, at times, some such allusion in passing was
unavoidable, it was always accompanied by a word of
disparagement; for instance, he often reverted to the
equestrian adventures, recorded in one of our first chap
ters, that betrayed his own unskilful horsemanship.
When one of his visitors remarked to him that Prachatitz
could lay claim to many distinguished men, but that he
was the first Bishop of whom it could boast, he replied,
" If any priest had accompanied me to America, he
would, without doubt, have been made Bishop instead of
me." Another remark of similar import was met with
the laughing rejoinder, " Oh, even a blind hen will some
times find a grain of corn !"

The good people of Prachatitz delight in their social
gatherings, even at the present day, to recall expressions
heard from the Bishop's lips, and which only his un
feigned humility could have made him utter. One day
he was engaged to dine with a Mr. Spinka. The hospitable
host noticed that his honored guest was not doing justice

408 Ltfc of Bishop Neumann.

to the choice viands before him, that, in fact, he had not
even touched some of them. Mr. Spinka made use of
the rights of hospitality and urged him to taste, at least,
of the various dishes. The Bishop complied with his
customary affability, but said with a smile, " Mr. Spinka,
do you want me to earn a long purgatory for myself at
your grand dinner ?"

Six days had quickly sped, and this memorable visit
was drawing to a close. February 9th was the day ap
pointed for his departure, but the Bishop wished it to be
kept secret for two reasons: first, to escape the demon
strations that would certainly attend a public farewell;
and secondly, to spare himself and his friends the mutual
pain of leave-taking, for the ties of nature held strong
sway in his loyal heart. Grown wary from experience,
perhaps, he was more successful in this than in his pre
ceding pfans; he managed things so cleverly that not
even his nearest relatives suspected his intention. Late
on the evening of February 8th he ordered through one
of the clergy, whom he had bound to secrecy, a sleigh
for the next morning; but with all his precaution he could
not prevent the members of his father's household from
having some inkling of his design. And now arose a
storm of questions and remonstrances. His aged father
joined with the rest of the family in begging him to
defer his departure, if only for a few hours; but no — he
must go. Gently and lovingly he reasoned with the
good old gentleman, arguing that he could not in con
science remain longer, that duty called him back to his
diocese. At last Mr. Neumann yielded to his son's ar
guments and consented to see him depart. Before day
break, therefore, on the appointed day, February 9th,
Bishop Neumann, quietly and unobserved, left his fath
er's house, accompanied by his friend Rev. Joseph Brun-
ner, who had faithfully kept the secret confided to
him.

On reaching the parish church — that church around

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 409

which clustered tender recollections of childhood and
boyhood — he alighted from the sleigh to kneel for some
moments before its closed doors. Then rising with a
swelling heart, he left his home for the second time, and
this time forever.

The morning dawn, as usual, brought a crowd before
the dwelling of the Neumann family, all anxious to see
and speak with the Bishop; and at eight o'clock the
church was filled, as on the preceding days, with devout
worshippers expecting to hear his Mass. Great was the
general disappointment and dismay when the news
spread that Bishop Neumann had left the city before
daybreak.

Rev. Father Brunner afterward related many incidents
connected with this secret departure. The Bishop, he
said, restrained his feelings not without difficulty. When
the sleigh reached the mountain-ridge whence a view of
the little city could be had, he turned to take a farewell
glance at its familiar scenes, at his father's house, and
the tears rolled down his cheeks. A four hours' ride
brought them to the celebrated shrine of Gojau, to
which, it will be remembered, he had made a pilgrimage
before setting out the first time for America. Here he
said Mass. In a letter to his father he speaks as follows:

"On February Qth, four hours after our separation, I
said Mass in Gojau with the intention of drawing down
the protection of God on my homeward journey. I then
visited the Right Reverend Prelate in Krumau, and met
several of our relatives and some of my old fellow-stu
dents. The Bishop of Budweis had repeatedly enter
tained me with generous hospitality and more than fra
ternal charity. I called on him and bade him good-by,
as I intended to be at the collegiate church in Hohen-
furt on the i4th, where the Prelate was to celebrate his
patronal feast."

To be able thus to return thanks in person to his
former professors at the Cistercian college for the favors

4io Life of BisJiop Neumann.

and benefits received from them in his student-days was
a great satisfaction to Bishop Neumann. He had re
ceived through Rev. Waldemar Wiesner, a native of
Prachatitz, an invitation to visit the venerable monks.
It was a pleasure for him to accept, and, in order to give
a more lively expression to his gratitude, he chose, as he
tells us in his letter, the reverend prelate's feast-day for
his visit. The secretary of the institute, Mr. Leopold
Wuckar, also a native of Prachatitz, rode as far as Kap-
litz, a distance of twenty miles, to meet and escort him
to Ilohenfurt, where he received a most cordial reception.
Here he spent two days to the great satisfaction of both
professors and people. Thence his journey led through
Linz to Alt-Oetting. A violent snow-storm had ren
dered the road through the Bohemian forest almost im
passable, even dangerous in some places. The right
reverend prelate tried to persuade him to defer his de
parture for a few days, but Bishop Neumann, believing
that he had fully complied with the claims of gratitude,
could not longer be detained. He recommended himself
to the Mother of God, whose shrine at Alt-Oetting is re
garded as miraculous, and, trusting to her protection,
continued his journey. His confidence was rewarded.
He arrived at his destination without accident. In a
second letter to his father he says:

" On February i8th I arrived at Alt-Oetting in Bava
ria. The snow was so deep that I was forced to remain
three days with my brethren, which detention, however,
caused me more joy than regret. By it I was enabled to
offer the Holy Sacrifice in that ancient chapel where so
many graces are constantly obtained. You, all my loved
ones, and the whole city of Prachatitz, I recommended to
Our Lady's maternal care. I reached Munich only on the
2ist, when I hastened to finish up, as speedily as possible,
all business connected with my diocese. I was every
where received with such kindness as to lead me to hope
for the success of my affairs here."

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 411

Business detained the Bishop in Munich for several
days, during which he was the honored and welcome
guest of Mr. Stiessberger, a highly respectable merchant
of the city, brother of FatherJ^tiessberger, C.SS.R. We
need scarcely repeat that the unobtrusive manners of
the holy Bishop secured the admiration and esteem of
every member of this worthy household, and awoke in
all profound veneration for his sanctity. We shall here
record an incident illustrative of his humility and mod
esty. During his stay in Munich there were celebrated
in St. Mary's Cathedral the solemn obsequies of the re
cently deceased Archbishop Anselm. A little before the
services began, a plainly dressed ecclesiastic was seen
entering the sacristy, a travelling-bag in hand. The
stranger was scarcely noticed in the crowd of priests as
sembled to do honor to the late Archbishop. He slipped
into a retired corner and began saying his Rosary.
After a short time had passed, some one present re
marked that Bishop Neumann, of Philadelphia, had
accepted an invitation to the funeral, and that it was
almost time for him to make his appearance. With that
the little priest who all this time had been sitting un
noticed in a corner arose, announced himself as Bishop
Neumann, and, to the surprise of all, donned the episcopal
robes. The ceremonies over, a contention began among
the reverend gentlemen as to who should escort the
Bishop to his lodgings. Some who had noticed with
feelings of admiration the extraordinary humility of the
Bishop's bearing had already seized his travelling-bag,
and for a moment there was a struggle as to who should
be allowed to carry it. The Bishop interposed, begging
to be permitted to do so himself. He was vanquished,
however, and forced not only to relinquish for a time
all right to his property, but also to accept an honorable
escort home. On another occasion, he returned to Mr.
Stiessberger's after transacting some important business.
The weather was stormy, and the Bishop's shoes were

412 Life of Bishop Neumann.

wet. When some one suggested the propriety of chang
ing them, lie smilingly replied, " Were I to change, it
would only be from one foot to the other, as I have only
one pair."

Whilst in Munich, the humility of the saintly prelate
was put to a severe test, and a pious artifice was resorted
to in order to induce him to have his portrait taken.
During his travels he had been-frequently asked for his
likeness. His invariable reply was, "Surely, I am not
so important a personage that you should desire my
portrait." The same request was repeated in Munich,
but this time it was couched in a form which his pious
heart could not refuse. Let him have his portrait taken,
they said; it might afterward be lithographed and
copies sold for the benefit of the poor of his native
place. " Charity dealeth not perversely," least of all
Bishop Neumann's charity; so he was photographed,
holding in his hand the memorial album which the good
people of Prachatitz had presented him. The likeness
was an excellent one, and several were struck from it
after his death. So far as we know, there exist only
three portraits of him: the first is an oil-painting, repre
senting him a little boy of six years; the second, a pho
tograph taken in Baltimore, in obedience to the Provin
cial, Father Bernard, who, when he heard that Father
Neumann was to be made Bishop, lost no time in giving
him a command to leave this memento to his Congre
gation; the third is the one whose history we have just
recorded.

From Munich, Bishop Neumann travelled with Bishop
Timon, of Buffalo, through Augsburg, Stuttgard, Spire,
etc., of which journey he thus writes;

" In Spire we were kindly received by Right Rev.
Bishop Weis, who accompanied us to the Cathedral,
which had been recently repaired and beautified. This
church, in which St. Bernard once preached and, in his
holy enthusiasm, added the exquisite closing salutations

He Visits Rome and his Native Place. 413

of the ' Salve Regina,' is, for its size and the magnifi
cence of its frescos, one of the grandest in the world.
It is a lasting monument to the liberality and artistic
taste of the recent Bavarian kings, and especially of
good King Louis. By it they have acquired merit be
fore Almighty God whom it is designed to honor, and
to whose glory all the arts and treasures of this world
should be made subservient."

On arriving in Paris, Bishop Neumann found that the
next steamer would not sail from Havre till the i4th of
March, which information made a change in his plans.
He resolved -to go to Liverpool via London, desiring, if
possible, to reach his diocese by Palm-Sunday. On
March loth he sailed from Europe in the steamer Atlan- A j
tic, in company with the Archbishop of New York 'and
Bishop Timon, of Buffalo.

After an uneventful voyage of seventeen days our
travellers landed in New York, March 27th, at ten o'clock
in the forenoon. Bishop Neumann proceeded at once to
the nearest church, where he offered up the Holy Sacri
fice in thanksgiving for their safe arrival. The next day,
the 28th, his birthday and the anniversary of his conse
cration, he was anxious to spend in his own episcopal
city; consequently he left New York that same evening,
and reached Philadelphia by ten that night.

As his return voyage had been an unusually lengthy
one, fears were beginning to be entertained for his safety,
especially as several steamers had lately been lost on the
American coast. But when assured of their prelate's
happy arrival, joy became universal, and the reception he
everywhere met proved the estimation in which he was
held by his flock.

414 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTEPx X.
Bishop Neumann is Assigned a Coadjutor.

WE again find Bishop Neumann actively engaged in
the extensive field of the Catholic Church in Amer
ica. The first Plenary Council was held in Baltimore, May
9-20, 1852. It was attended by six Archbishops, twenty-
six Bishops, and twelve Superiors of religious Orders.
It tended greatly to promote the welfare of the Church in
America; important points of discipline were discussed,
and excellent regulations were made. Conspicuous by
his reputation for learning and piety, Bishop Neumann
held a prominent position in this imposing assemblage
of Churchmen. A certain distinguished prelate made
the following remark when, some time after, conversing
upon the saintly Neumann:

" I had an opportunity during the Council in Balti
more to admire Bishop Neumann's wonderful memory
and extraordinary theological attainments. He had a
solution for every question proposed. What edified me
most of all was his unruffled composure, which betok
ened deep humility and perfect self-control. I always
regarded him as a saint."

Bishop Neumann's two catechisms were highly ex
tolled and commended by the Bishops of the Council.
The smaller one, for beginners, has reached its thirtieth
edition; the larger, its eighteenth.

The Bishop, writing to his old friend, Father Dichtl,
thus refers to the Plenary Council: "We have been
holding a Plenary Council in Baltimore, during which
the erection of new dioceses was proposed. Such steps
are, however, generally accompanied by so many un-

Bishop Neumann is Assigned a Coadjutor. 415

pleasant things that few priests are willing to assume
the trouble and responsibility of them. As for myself,
my long years of missionary work have made such hard
ships pleasant to me. I should prefer the direction of
such a diocese to that of Philadelphia. Though I can
not say that the latter has degenerated since confided to
my charge, yet not a day passes that I do not long to be
once more in those vast forests which, for so many years,
I used to traverse every week in my mission to the log-
huts of the Catholics scattered here and there through
out the country. Feeling that my present position could
be more easily filled than a new see provided for, I pro
posed to the Council my willingness to take charge of
one of the projected dioceses, if it seemed good to the
Holy See to transfer me thither.

" The Acts and Decrees of the Council were sent more
than a year ago to the Propaganda, but the illness
and subsequent death of the Cardinal-Prefect have
prevented our receiving a decision as yet. . . . May the
holy will of God be done!"

Bishop Neumann's tender solicitude in the discharge
of his duties weighed heavily upon his highly sensitive
soul. Again and again, with childlike sincerity, did he
complain to his confessor that his episcopal office was
an insupportable burden; that he felt every morning
as if he were to be executed that day; that with his
whole heart he longed to return to the midst of his beloved
brethren. He had, in fact, twice drawn up a petition to
the Holy Father in which he urged every possible reason
for a release from his position; but his confessor, with
out whose approval he did nothing in which the affairs
of his conscience were involved, commanded him each
time to burn it.

Toward the close of 1856 he wrote to one of his friends
in Bohemia: "The labors of my diocese are daily on the
increase; their number and kind render them ever more
and more difficult. My cares multiply in the same ratio

416 Life of Bishop Neumann.

as our Catholics. Oh, if the faithful only advanced as
rapidly in the love of God as they do in numbers! I am
still alone; for, as the Cathedral is not yet sufficiently
advanced for service, I could not, at present, support or
find occupation for several priests. I am therefore
obliged to attend to all my correspondence myself, give
dispensations, and settle business of all kinds for both
clergy and laity. From seven in the morning till nine
at night I am occupied in this way almost without inter
ruption. By that time I am, it is true, exceedingly
fatigued, but my health is good, and I fear Almighty
God will not soon relieve me of my burden."

Let us not misunderstand the holy Bishop's so-called
complaints. The dread of not being equal to his re
sponsible position, and not the arduous duties of his
office, forced from him that cry to be relieved. His
offer to resign his post to another and, as he termed
it, a more competent person, in order to take charge
of a new and more difficult one with the approbation
of the Holy See, was not accepted in Rome, nor was
it thought advisable to divide the diocese of Phila
delphia. A Coadjutor was, however, given to the Bishop.
Rev. James Frederic^ Wood, at that time pastor of <e«e .
of *J*e churches in Cincinnati, (had just been appointed
President of the American College in Rome. He was
making preparations for entering upon his new position,) _
when he received the Bulls appointing him \Bishop oT
Antigoma, *Hf^p«w:tiiiLis-4ftftdeittM»^' and Coadjutor of
the Bishop of Philadelphia, with the right of succession.

The Catholic Herald 'of April n, 1857, noticed the nomi
nation in the following words:

" Bishop Neumann, in his great humility, has most
earnestly requested the Holy Father to free him from
the responsibility of administering so large a diocese;
but the Pope was too well instructed in regard to the
ardent zeal, and untiring solicitude of our revered
Prelate, the effects of which are seen in the erection

Bishop Neumann is Assigned a Coadjutor. 417

of so many churches and institutions. For this reason
the Holy Father did not grant his request, though
the Bishop's health is suffering from the unceasing
labors of his episcopal office.

" The diocese of Philadelphia surpasses every other of
this continent, as well in extent of territory as in the
number of priests and people. Under these circum
stances many were of opinion that the diocese should
be divided. His Holiness, however, after mature delib
eration, has decided that the diocese is not for the pre
sent to be divided, but he has assigned to our Right
Reverend Bishop, John Nepomucene Neumann, a Coad
jutor in the person of Rev. James Frederic^ Wood. The
latter was born in Philadelphia, in 1813. He was edu
cated in this city, and devoted himself to a commercial
course of study. He afterward obtained a situation in a
bank in Cincinnati. This state of life, however, did not
please him; he felt that the security of his eternal sal
vation was more important than all earthly gain. He
went in search of the truth, and the grace of God led
him to the knowledge of it, and to the conviction that
only in the Catholic Church, as the institution established
by Jesus Christ for the salvation of man, could he save
his soul. In the year 1836 he was received into the
Church by Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati; in the
following year he went to Rome to study for the priest
hood. On the ist of October, 1844, he came as a priest
to Cincinnati, and after having served faithfully as cu
rate and pastor till the year 1857, he will on the 26th of
April be consecrated Bishop of Antigonla and Coad
jutor of Bishop Neumann, with the right of succes
sion."

Bishop Neumann, accompanied by the Rev. Father :\
Kleineidam, rector of St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia,
set out for Cincinnati to be present at the consecration
of his Coadjutor and to escort him to his future
home. On the return journey, all three visited the

-2c
418 Life of Bishop Neumann.

$W

Redemptorist House of Studies in Cumberland, Mary
land, on which occasion Bishop Neumann conferred
the ordeivof deacon on seven of the students, and minor
orders on a still larger number. Z £

From this period the two Bishops labored conjointly
in the extensive diocese over which they watched " as
being to render an account." Bishop Wood gave effi
cient service in the administration of episcopal functions,
Bishop Neumann having entrusted to him the temporal
affairs of the diocese.

This assistance was very much needed by Bishop
Neumann, since, besides the innumerable cares devolv
ing upon him at home, his services were often demanded
in other dioceses. He was frequently called upon for
retreats, and his well-known kindness of heart and un
bounded zeal for souls never suffered him to discard
such requests. We have the following testimony from
a reverend gentleman who h#d the happiness of making
the spiritual exercises under his direction in one of the
retreats to the clergy of Buffalo. This same reverend
gentleman was afterward raised to the episcopal dig
nity.

"Bishop Neumann," he says, "gave to the clergy of
the Buffalo diocese a retreat which I attended. On the
second day he was told that there were several Ger
mans making the exercises who did not understand Eng
lish well enough to profit by instructions in that lan
guage. What did he do? Every day he gave two
meditations in English and a corresponding number in
German; also a conference in English once a day, and
another in German. He preached six times a day !
His courteous and affable bearing won the confidence
of the priests; all wished to go to confession to him.
His discourses were powerful and attractive. He never
reproached, he admonished. His sermons excited our
admiration all the more as we knew that Bishop Timon
had invited him to give the retreat so short a time

Bishop Neumann is Assigned a Coadjutor. 419

before it began as to leave him no chance to prepare
for it."

Letters from the clergy and the laity poured in upon
the Bishop; some asking his advice in perplexing
affairs, others requesting a solution of difficult questions.
His kind-heartedness would never permit him to leave
any unanswered. His first impulse on the receipt of a
letter was to answer at once, or, if that were impossible,
he did so at his first free moment. Day brought its
own load of care; the night was given up to satisfying
these outside calls. The good Bishop's obligingness of
disposition was generally known, and everywhere looked
upon as an effect of his eminent holiness. A priest
belonging to another diocese once remarked: "I wrote
to the late Bishop Neumann upon a matter whose solu
tion was not clear to me, in fact I could give no expla
nation concerning it. What was my astonishment
on receiving from him a few days after a most satisfac-
tory answer which dispelled all doubts ! He sent me at
the same time the subjects of the clerical conferences
held in his diocese, and also the last Decree of the Holy
See in reference to the Odd-fellows. I was the more
pleased and impressed by his prompt attention, as I
was a perfect stranger to him."

420 Life of Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER XI.

Some Traits of Bishop Neumann's Saintly
Character.

WE have in preceding chapters alluded to Bishop
Neumann's affability, modesty, and discretion.
His whole demeanor breathed these virtues; even pass
ing intercourse with him could not fail to impress the
stranger with the fact of their existence. A certain lady
who had frequent recourse to him on business affairs
renders the following beautiful testimony on this point:
" I had occasion to call on Bishop Neumann very often,
but in no one of my visits did I ever see him fix his eyes
on me. He smiled, and his expression then was truly
heavenly, but he never raised his eyes. And yet his
downcast glance had nothing forced or repulsive in it.
No one could feel offended at it; on the contrary, all
left his presence edified and with the consciousness of
having spoken to a saint."

During a mission given by the Redemptorist Fathers
in the Cathedral Chapel, October, 1858, the Bishop might
be seen every morning at four o'clock, opening the door
to admit the crowd already assembled outside. He
would stand at the entrance a moment, salute the faith
ful as they passed in, and exhort them to pray devoutly
until the sermon began. Whilst the mission lasted the
episcopal residence was open all day long to any who
might wish to speak to the missionaries; and it was no
rare sight to see the Bishop himself exercising the office
of janitor, so great was his solicitude that no one wish
ing to see one of the Fathers should leave the house dis-

Some Traits of his Saintly Character. 421

appointed. He neglected nothing that might facilitate
easy communication between the pastors of souls and
those that came to seek from them advice or consolation.
He had a bell hung in his residence for the purpose
of calling any of the reverend gentlemen of his house
hold who might happen to be wanted; and, in his humil
ity, he would never dispense himself from the same
regulation. When the bell sounded one, he promptly
answered; when two, his Right Reverend Coadjutor; and
so on, each member having a certain number of strokes.
One day several ladies called and asked for Rev. Mr.

N , who had, they said, promised to show them the

beautiful ivory crucifix described in' a previous chapter.

Rev. Mr. N was out; but by some happy chance

the Bishop became aware of the circumstance and the
ladies' disappointment. Down he hurried to the parlor,
saying: " Come with me, my children, come with me. I
will show you that masterpiece of art. I will tell you
the history of the Genoese crucifix." The invitation was
gladly accepted. We shall allow one of the fair visitors
to finish the story. "The Bishop," she said, "showed
us his sacred treasures, his numerous relics of the saints,
the silver medal commemorative of the day on which
the Immaculate Conception was declared a dogma of
the Church, and many other things besides, not forget
ting the chief object of interest, the exquisite crucifix.
When he noticed that two of us were daughters of the
Emerald Isle, he became enthusiastic over St. Patrick,
whose feast happened to fall on that very day. He told
us many wonderful facts connected with our saint which
we had never before heard. In a casket with a glass
top lay a life-size figure in wax. It looked so natural
that for an instant I drew back. ' Bishop, what is this ?
Whom does this figure represent?' I ventured to ask.
The Bishop answered, with one of his gracious smiles:
'That represents my patron, St. John Nepomucene. It
will, one of these days, find a suitable resting-place un-

422 Life of Bishop Neumann.

der an altar which is to be erected to his honor in the
new Cathedral.' "

Bishop Neumann understood well how to treat with
persons of wealth and culture. Holiness imparts to its
possessor a sort of intuitive knowledge of what is de
manded in intercourse with the neighbor, be he high or
low, rich or poor. Blessed Henry Suso well expressed
this when he said: " Purity, intelligence, and virtue give
a feeling of wealth to those that possess them," which
feeling of wealth flows in an exuberance of kind and gen
tle words and deeds over all with whom it comes in
contact. Such was the wealth of him of whom we now
speak; and yet, though so well calculated to win his way
with the rich and great of this world, he never felt him
self at home among them. After the example of his
Divine Master, he sought out the lowly that he might
do them good; he condescended to the rich for the same
godlike end. On some occasions he was constrained to
accept invitations to social gatherings and formal din
ners oftentimes given in his own honor. He invariably
tried to escape such attentions, but this was not always
possible. Speaking of one instance in particular when,
after repeatedly declining, he had been forced to take
tea with a family moving in the highest circle of society,
he said: " I was obliged to accept; special reasons for
bade an absolute refusal. But the formalities attendant
on such occasions are diametrically opposed to my tastes:
they are empty, meaningless ceremonies. I would rather
fast than be present at such banquets. But a greater
good which I had in view obliged me to accept that
invitation."

The good Bishop shrunk with equal distaste from
those dinners which social custom and propriety con
strained him to give in his own mansion. It often hap
pened on these occasions that he would contrive to have
some urgent business on hand, when, leaving his
place to be supplied by his Coadjutor, he would slip

Some Traits of his Saintly Character. 423

quietly away, inwardly congratulating himself on his
escape from what was ever to him the most irksome of
the duties imposed by his high position. Sometimes he
did not even make his appearance among his guests; a
gracious message of welcome to them, and of apology
for his own absence, satisfied the demands of etiquette.
His housekeeper declares that she has known the Bishop,
at such times, on returning before the close of the enter
tainment, to slip into a side apartment, take a mouthful
of bread and wine, and hurry up to his room, intent only
upon escaping notice. Once within its sheltering pre
cincts, he would resume his work, reading, writing, or
whatever it might be. She says that she actually had
to watch him to see that he got his meals. From the
same informant we learn that for whole weeks at a time
the bed in his room presented no appearance of having
been used. Morning found it in the same condition as
upon the preceding evening. He usually took his short
rest of about two or three hours sitting in a chair at his
writing-desk.

Whilst treating this point, we must not omit the strik
ing and characteristic account given by one of his
clergymen who often accompanied the Bishop on his
episcopal visitations. " When," says the reverend gen
tleman, " I accompanied Bishop Neumann on his visi
tation, I often sat at table with him, and I had a very
good opportunity to observe him. To-day, perhaps, we
would dine in style ; to-morrow, very likely, we would
sit down to a rustic meal served in the most primitive
manner. But I always remarked that these latter had
the effect of calling into play the Bishop's highest
powers of humor and sociability. He would indulge in
little pleasantries, he was the life of the circle around
him. But if, on the contrary, we found ourselves feasted
in style, at a table laden with delicacies, the poor Bish
op was out of his element, he had very little to say, and
would manage to escape as quietly and quickly as possi-

424 Life of Bishop Neumann.

ble. One day we were obliged to dine at the house of a
very rich Catholic. The guests were numerous and the
appointments brilliant. The Bishop was more than
ordinarily serious, and he scarcely touched the rich meats
and wines before him. The very next day brought us
quite a change of circumstances, for we dined in a
log-cabin, off simple fare, our only beverage pure
water. But this was seasoned with the precious wine of
Christian cordiality ; and the childlike pleasure evinced
by our good host in attending to the Bishop's wants,
more than supplied for the sumptuous entertainment of
of the preceding day. What a difference between the
Bishop of yesterday and the Bishop of to-day ! — yester
day serious, constrained ; to-day all affability and con
descension, even prolonging the repast beyond the usual
time. On taking leave, he presented every member of
the family with some little object of devotion. When
out of the house, he remarked : ' What a difference be
tween yesterday and to-day ! Yesterday we were treated
to a well-filled table, empty forms of politeness, and use
less conversation ; but to-day we were surrounded by
the charming simplicity of a pious Catholic home.' "

With all his gentleness, Bishop Neumann knew how
to answer to the point when he deemed it fitting, or
when the spiritual welfare of his neighbor seemed to
call for it. One day, whilst superintending the work on
his Cathedral and talking familiarly with the men who
were preparing the immense blocks of stone for the
front, a respectable-looking person whose speech pro
claimed him a Quaker approached the Bishop and said,
" Friend, does thee not think that it would be better
to give the money to the poor instead of spending it on
this grand building ?" " That," retorted the Bishop,
" is just what we are doing. These poor men do the
work, and every Saturday evening they get their good
wages. Is it not better to spend in this way than to be
stow alms upon such as do not, or who are often un-

Some Traits of his Saintly Character. 425

willing to labor ?" The Quaker, somewhat abashed,
turned off with the words, " Oh, if thee view it in that
light, thee may be right."

Although dispensed from the obligations of the vow,
he loved and practised the virtue of poverty in a high
degree. He had a skilful way of slipping his purse into
the hands of the poor. After thus relieving his pocket,
it was no unusual thing for him, upon the next demand
made on his charity, to search in vain for a few cents.
Bnt he was never at a loss. When he found himself in
such straits, he would seize the first article upon which
he could lawfully lay his hands and give it to the beg
gar. Clothes, linen, shoes — all in turn found their
way to the poor. For himself he reserved barely what
was necessary. Such liberality (excessive and indis
creet, some might style it) threw him at times into the
greatest embarrassment. On a certain Sunday he was
on his way to one of the churches in the city, in which
the devotion of the Forty Hours was to commence. A
priest belonging to a neighboring church happened to
meet him. Shocked at the Bishop's shabby appearance,
he could not forbear exclaiming, "Right Reverend Bish
op, you are in a wretched condition ! This is Sunday !
Will you not change that coat for a better one ?" " What
shall I do?" answered the Bishop, smiling; "I have no
other." This was actually true. He had just given his
best coat to a poor fellow asking alms.

When preparations were being made for the reception
of his Coadjutor, the good Bishop was informed that the
room destined for the expected stranger was without a
wardrobe, and, what was worse, there was no money in
the purse to buy one. "Then," said the Bishop, with a
smile, "we must think of another way to get one. I
know: take the one from my room and put it into Bish
op Wood's; I can easily do without it."

When a simple religious, Bishop Neumann had always
appeared in worn and patched clothing. His brethren

426 Life of Bishop Neumann.

were so accustomed to see him shabbily dressed that
the change he was forced to make in this respect on the
day of his consecration was a subject of amusement to
many of them. One Father jokingly addressed him :
" To-day, at least, I shall have the pleasure of seeing you
well dressed." " Ah !" replied the object of his bantering,
with a sigh, "Holy Mother Church treats us as parents
do their children. To encourage the child to perform
its task, the parent promises it some new article of dress."

After his elevation to the episcopal dignity, Bishop
Neumann changed nothing in his conduct, his dress, or
his sentiments, nor could he become accustomed to his new
title. Toward the close of his life, he said jestingly on
this subject to one of his friends: " Whenever I hear
myself addressed 'Right Reverend Sir' or 'Right Rev
erend Bishop,' I imagine behind me some distinguished
personage to whom the title belongs."

His plain, even shabby appearance often gave rise to
amusing blunders. One day he was visiting his breth
ren in their convent at St. Peter's, Philadelphia. The
community was gathered around him in the general
recreation-room, pleasantly chatting, when a certain
Father who had but recently arrived from Europe, and
who had not yet been presented to His Lordship, entered
unobserved and joined the little group. " How singu
lar!" he thought. " Is this the way they do here in America ?
Do they allow strangers and people of no account to
enter the cloister and communicate so familiarly with the
community?" Here a break in the conversation af
forded an opportunity for an introduction between the
newly-arrived Father and the poorly-clad individual
whose presence had given rise to his indignant stric
tures. What was his amazement to find himself face
to face with Bishop Neumann of whom he had heard
so much — Bishop Neumann of whom, as a Redemptorist,
he might be so justly proud !

True to his principles in the smallest as well as in the

Some Traits of his Saintly Character. 427

greatest circumstances of life, the Bishop would never
suffer himself to be waited upon by a servant. He
brushed his own clothes, polished his own shoes, ar
ranged his own room himself. He would never allow
his breakfast to be brought to him. He used to go
down to the dining-room, take a slice of bread and
butter and a glass of water, and return to his own room
without having been seen even by the servants. His
greatest care was to give trouble to no one. The
Redemptorist custom not to ask for anything at table
he continued to observe as Bishop. He took simply
what was offered him, but he asked for nothing. As to
whether his food were pleasing to his taste or otherwise,
that appeared to be a matter of indifference to him; in
deed, it was sometimes said of him that he had lost the
sense of taste. Tobacco he never used in any form.

A reverend gentlemen going to the Bishop's room
one day, found him sick. He was lying on a bare plank
and apparently suffering intensely. Alarmed at the
sight and moved with compassion for his comfortless
position, the priest exclaimed, " Bishop, you are sick,
very sick. You ought to go to bed." "To bed?"
echoed the Bishop. " Why, I am just as comfortable
here." "No, no," rejoined the good priest; "you are
not as comfortable there, and you have no right under
these circumstances to do as you please. You are a
Bishop; you belong to your diocese." This was enough.
The Bishop arose from his hard couch with, " Well,
whatever you say."

Soon after, his obedience was again severely tested. A
hot drink was brought him and recommended as an excel
lent remedy. The Bishop took it in silence, raised it to his
lips, but instantly withdrew it, saying, "Why, this is
wine!" "No, it is soup; it will cure you," was the reply.
The Bishop again raised the goblet to his lips, and in a
spirit of obedience drained its contents, though the
effort to swallow it cost him a struggle against nausea.

428 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Next day, however, the patient found himself consider
ably better, and in answer to the anxious inquiries of his
reverend nurse, he said laughingly, "Your soup did me
good, after all."

After the holy prelate's demise, his spiritual director
rendered of him the following beautiful testimony :
''Bishop Neumann was unrelenting in the practice of
the virtues of self-denial and mortification, but so pru
dently, so modestly did he act in this respect that such
practices never attracted attention, never rendered him
burdensome to any one. He wore a girdle of iron wire
that penetrated the flesh; he chastised his innocent body
with a scourge which he had armed with a sharp nail;
by interior recollection and constant vigilance over his
eyes he shut out every temptation that could sully the
purity of his heart. His virginal soul uninterruptedly
communed with God; he had attained a high degree of
prayer. After the example of St. Alphonsus, he had
made a vow never to lose a moment of time, which
vow he kept till death. Even when travelling, he either
read or spoke about the things of God."

When obliged to go to distant country stations to
administer Confirmation, he always, as we have before
stated, combined the duties of a missionary priest with
those of a Bishop, giving instructions, hearing confes
sions, etc. His thanksgiving after Mass could not be
prolonged, as the faithful had to return to their daily
avocations and many of them had come from a consider
able distance. This necessity of shortening his devo
tions troubled the good Bishop's tender conscience. He
mentioned the circumstance to his confessor, adding
that the thanksgiving prayers of the Roman Missal he
knew by heart and always said after his Mass. These
prayers consist of the "Canticle of the Three Children,"
the " Laudate Dominum," Psalm 150, the prayers of St.
Thomas, St. Bonaventure, and St. Augustine, together
with versicles and responses, etc. His confessor, hear-

Some Traits of his Saintly Character. 429

ing this, bade him have no scruple, as his mission
ary duties and the administration of the Sacraments
are in themselves acts of thanksgiving. What an
insight these lines afford into the interior workings
of this blessed soul! What a lesson they convey
for the careful utilizing of those moments which con
tribute so largely to the work of sanctification, the
precious moments following Holy Communion! Ah,
truly a beautiful mirror of all virtues, this life of our
venerable Bishop — life worthy of a saint!

Bishop Neumann seems to have had a presentiment
of his approaching death. A few days before the sad
event that was to rob the diocese of one of the bright
est stars that ever gleamed in its episcopal hierarchy, he
went to the Redemptorist convent of St. Peter's and,
whilst awaiting the arrival of the Superior, he engaged in
conversation with one of the lay-brothers. " Brother,"
said he abruptly after a pause, " which would you pre
fer, a sudden death or one preceded by a long illness ?"
The Brother thought that the latter would be an excel
lent preparation for the passage to eternity; whereupon
the Bishop replied: " A Christian, still more a religious,
should always be prepared for a good death, and in that
case a sudden one is not without its advantages. It
spares us, as well as our attendants, many a temptation
to impatience; and besides, the devil has not so much
time to trouble us. In either case, however, the death
that God sends is the best for us."

This apparent premonition of his own demise was
soon, alas ! to become a reality for the saintly speaker.
Farther on we shall record another and a very striking
remark made by him to his reverend nephew on the
same subject.

430 Life of J3isJiop Neumann.

CHAPTER XII.
Death and Obsequies of Bishop Neumann.

ON Thursday, January 5, 1860, Bishop Neumann
showed symptoms of unusual suffering, though he
continued to work on uncomplainingly and unremit
tingly. At the dinner-table he endeavored to conceal his
condition from the members of his household by relating
an amusing anecdote of his early life. We give it as we
had it from the lips of his Coadjutor, the late Archbishop
Wood:

" As we sat at dinner that last day of his life, Bishop
Neumann, though evidently suffering, told us the follow
ing story. ' How simple-hearted,' he began, * are the good
people in the Old Country ! When, having finished my
studies, I was making preparations for my journey to
America, the report of my intended departure spread
throughout the little town. Neighbors and relatives
flocked to say farewell and to wish me a safe voyage.
One of my friends from the country drew me aside and,
in a low voice, said: " John, you are going on a long
and dangerous voyage. Now, take my advice. Here
are two gold pieces. When you go on board the ship,
just slip them into the captain's hand and say, ' Captain,
here are two gold pieces for you, on condition that you
always steer the ship in shallow water near the land.'
For you see," continued my friend, "if anything should
happen to the ship, you could save yourself by swim
ming." ' We laughed heartily at this piece of simplicity,
little thinking that it was the last anecdote we should

hear from the lips of our beloved Bishop."
t i*

Dinner over, Father Urbanczek, C.SS.R., was an-

Death and Obsequies of Bishop Neumann. 431

nounced; and, to the surprise of the reverend visitor,
Bishop Neumann, his former confrere, appeared at
first hardly to recognize him. Approaching nearer
and gazing steadily at the Bishop's countenance,
Father Urbanczek noticed that his eyes wore a glassy
appearance. He inquired whether he was sick; to
which the Bishop answered: "I have a strange feeling
to-day; I never felt so before. I have to go out on a lit
tle business, and the fresh air will do me good."

The Father, thinking nothing serious the matter, took
his leave, and the Bishop went to have a deed con
nected with some church-property legally signed.
Returning home, he took the north side of Vine Street.
On reaching Tenth, he met an acquaintance, one of his
flock, who saluted him in passing, but noticed a certain
unsteadiness in his gait like that produced by vertigo.
Three squares above^iiear Thirteenth Street, the Bishop
suddenly staggered and fell on the steps of one of the
private residences./ He was immediately borne into the
house and stretched on the floor, a pillow supporting
his head. Physicians were summoned in haste, efforts
were made to restore him, but all in vain. A few deep-
drawn sighs, and the beautiful soul had abandoned its
earthly tenement.

Meanwhile the gentleman who had seen the Bishop
fall hastened at full speed to give the alarm. The
episcopal residence was only about six squares off, and
the Bishop's secretary was soon on the spot with the
holy oils. But too late: the noble, saintly soul had
departed to a better, brighter world. Loosened from
the things of earth, it had flown to that resting-place
to which it had so often risen in prayerful desire, the
bosom of its God. It was just three o'clock in the
afternoon when the servant of God appeared before his
Lord and his Judge, in whom he had believed and
hoped, whom he had so devotedly loved, whom he had
so faithfully served during his short career.

43 2 Life of Bishop Neumann.

No relative, no friend, no one of all those laborers in
" the vineyard " whom a word from him could have as
sembled in scores, stood by that death-scene. Alone,
unaided, abandoned we might almost say, his life went
out. Had he prayed for this ? Doubtless he had. We
know of his deep love and devotion toward the Sacred
Passion of his Lord; we know the device of his own
choosing when raised to the episcopate — " Passio Christi,
conforta me!" — and, if we do not know for a certainty,
we have reason to believe ourselves not far from the
truth when we say that, like unto his Divine Master
in life, he had prayed to resemble Him also in death.
And so closed that life of scarcely forty-nine years —
so short in days, so full in works ! Truly may it be
said of him, " He fulfilled a long course in a short
time."

The news of the calamity that had befallen the diocese
spread like wildfire through the city, and was tele
graphed in all directions. The announcement was not
credited: Bishop Neumann had not been ill; on the
contrary, he was regarded as a man of robust health.
But alas ! the painful truth soon forced itself upon
even the most incredulous. The next day, Friday, was
the Feast of the Epiphany. The pastors of the differ
ent churches announced to their congregations that
their holy prelate had died suddenly the evening before
of apoplexy, and recommended him to their prayers.
On the Sunday following, the loss the diocese had
sustained was again announced by the officiating clergy
men in all the churches, and was made the theme of
many touching remarks. In St. John's,- Rev. EP'J.
Sourin, now of the Society of Jesus, preached, embody
ing in his sermon the following beautiful tribute to the
deceased Bishop's memory:

"This church is the pro-Cathedral, and this is,
properly speaking, the Bishop's congregation. Hence I
deem it well to remind you that one of the last acts of

Death and Obsequies of Bishop Neumann. 433

that truly learned, devoted, and saintly prelate was to
invoke, during the Pontifical Mass which he celebrated
here a few days ago, a last blessing upon you all. The
last time I visited him I noticed that he was very un
well, and I begged to be allowed to call in a physician
for him. But he answered, with a smile: 'I shall be
well enough to-morrow.' The following day he went on
one of his usual errands for the benefit of the diocese,
and did not again return.

"Having been closely associated with the Bishop as
Vicar-General, I can testify that upon many occasions
he was unable when retiring at midnight to utter a
word to any one, so exhausted was he with the arduous
labors of the day. It has been remarked that it is
strange that he died so suddenly, so strong and robust
did he always appear, — and indeed he seemed to have
an iron constitution. Yet such labors as he underwent
would, sooner or later, weigh down the strongest man.
It is now eight years since the Bishop came among us.
From the first day to the moment of his death, the
period has been one of labor and suffering. He knew
very well, my dear brethren, that in this city there
were many who wished, as an occupant for the episco
pate of this diocese, a man more according to the judg
ment and tastes of the world. He therefore tried to
avoid the cross laid upon him, and to shun the dignity.
It was only when he had reason to believe that it was
the will of God, manifested to him through the Pope,
that he should accept that mitre and that crozier, that
he consented to do so. It was with the same spirit of
self-sacrifice that he dwelt among us. He labored
through every part of the diocese, and, undoubtedly,
did more for its better organization and for the spread
of piety through the various congregations than might
have been done by another in even ten or twenty years.
He was a providential man for this diocese. He spared
himself in nothing. He has, therefore, received the

434 Life of Bishop Neumann.

noblest, highest recompense that a priest or Bishop can
desire — to fall laboring in his Master's service. He was
called away in the midst of his toils, his duties, and his
sufferings. There was not in the United States a priest
or a Bishop his superior in zeal for souls. Besides his
literary acquirements he was a profound theologian.
When any one of us was in doubt respecting some sub
ject in theology, he could go to him for advice and at
once receive the desired explanation. . . ."

On Saturday morning, January yth, the remains of
the right reverend prelate were laid in state in the
sanctuary of the Cathedral Chapel, the coffin surrounded
by lighted tapers, at the head the famous Genoese cru
cifix. The chapel was heavily draped, and thronged
from morn till night by the faithful anxious for a last
look at their beloved Bishop. For three days there was
one continuous procession in the direction of the Cathe
dral. The members of the Conference of St. Vincent de
Paul attached to the parish acted day and night as a
guard of honor around the venerated remains.

At an early hour on Monday morning, January 9th,
the Catholic community of Philadelphia was astir and
moving toward the Cathedral. At nine o'clock six
venerable priests took up the remains and bore them to
the magnificent funeral-car with its sable plumes. The
funeral-procession was the largest ever witnessed in
Philadelphia. It moved slowly down Eighteenth Street
to Chestnut, down Chestnut to Thirteenth, and up Thir
teenth to St. John's, the pro-Cathedral. The order of
the funeral-cortege was as follows: a body of city
police; military company with band; eight literary
societies; twenty-seven beneficial societies and confer
ences; thirteen societies from Baltimore in full regalia;
the orphans; the students of the ecclesiastical semina
ries; and one hundred reverend gentlemen of the clergy.
Although the weather was unfavorable, yet the streets
were thronged to witness these last sad honors to the

Death and Obsequies of Bishop Neumann. 435

illustrious dead. The police with difficulty opened a
way for the procession. Roofs in every direction were
covered, and every window was filled with spectators,
who gazed with emotion upon the calm face of their de
ceased prelate. The grand funeral-car formed the cen
tre of interest; to it all eyes were turned. But perhaps
the most touching feature in this mournful pageant was
that presented by the two imposing figures directly be
hind the car, Rev. Fathers Egidius Smulders and Henry
Giesen, C.SS.R., whose true hearts mourned the loss of
him who lay before them with folded hands and peace
ful smile. Faithful to him in life and loved by him in
life with the tender love of a child for a mother, the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer abandoned
not in death him of whom they have every right to
boast. They surrounded his remains with all the ex
pressions of affection and honor that loyal hearts could
suggest. His memory is held by them in benediction,
his virtues as models for imitation.

When the funeral-train reached St. John's, six of the
clergy again acted as pall-bearers and bore the remains
from the hearse to the richly adorned catafalque pre
pared before the high altar. The body was so placed
as to leave the features of the deceased plainly visible.
The whole interior of the church was heavily draped,
pillars and ceiling, sanctuary and nave, all shrouded in
the sombre hue of mourning. The scene was indescrib
ably solemn.

On the right of the catafalque stood the walnut coffin
with its rich purple lining and covering of black cloth,
at the head a cushion of purple satin with silver tassels and
trimmings. A heavy silver plate and cross on the coffin-
lid bore the inscription: "John Nepomucene Neumann,
Fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, died January 5, 1860."

As soon as the body had been placed in position, Right
Rev. Bishop Wood celebrated the solemn Requiem, and
the clergy and seminarians recited the Office of the

436 Life of Bishop Neumann.

Dead. Most Rev. Archbishop Kenrick of Baltimore,
Right Rev. Bishop Wood of Philadelphia, Right Rev.
Bishop McGill of Richmond, Right Rev. Bishop Loughlin
of Brooklyn, and Right Rev. Boniface Wirnmer,^mitred
Abbot of St. Vincent's Abbey, Pa., officiated at the
Libera. The funeral-oration was delivered by Most
Rev. Archbishop Kenrick of Baltimore. The news
paper report of this oration was very defective, but, for
tunately, the original was found among the Archbishop's
manuscripts after his death. Like all his other produc
tions, it is simple in style and moderate in expression.
It is a document well worthy of preservation, one that
forms an interesting chapter in our ecclesiastical history.
Two circumstances combine to clothe the obsequies of
Bishop Neumann with more than ordinary interest. Of
the two distinguished prelates, one the lately deceased,
the other the orator of the occasion, one was from Bohe
mia, the other from Ireland. Both, like the Apostles,
had left all to follow Christ, to devote themselves heart
and soul to the American missions, " the charity of
Christ" urging them. From remote parts of Europe,
living under widely different governments and institu
tions, speaking different languages, with nothing in
common but their faith and their charity, they had been
brought together on this distant continent, and had zeal
ously labored side by side in the cause of Christ. Their
faith had made them brothers. Only the Catholic
Church with its world-wide sympathies growing out of
its blended unity and catholicity can present such a spec
tacle as this. Faith levels distinctions, and makes one
common brotherhood of all that are willing to come under
its blessed influence. The second circumstance referred
to is, perhaps, still more striking. The orator that pro
nounced this eulogy over a brother so suddenly called
away from the scene of his labors was himself destined,
little more than three years later, to be summoned to the
bar of the Just Judge in a manner no less sudden. It

Death and Obsequies of Bishop Neumann, 437

would almost seem that the saintly Kenrick was fore
shadowing his own death whilst portraying the awful
suddenness of that of his deceased brother-Bishop; and
we readily and vividly apply to his own end those warn
ing words of his which, doubtless, he himself heeded
in their fullest import and most solemn signification:
" Remember that heaven is your home. Be mindful of the
uncertainty of life, and live with a deep consciousness that
every day may be your last. WHEN YOU GO OUT TO ATTEND

TO YOUR AFFAIRS, UNDERSTAND WELL THAT YOU MAY NOT
RETURN TO YOUR HOME ALIVE. WHEN YOU LIE DOWN TO
REST, BE FULLY SENSIBLE THAT THE MORNING MAY FIND

YOU A CORPSE." Of the last two sentences, the former
describes the manner of Bishop Neumann's death; the
latter that of the holy Archbishop himself, for he was
found one morning dead in his bed. The coincidence is
striking. It would almost seem that he had a presenti
ment of his own end.

The following is the Archbishop's sermon as we have
it in the first rough draft:

"When our Lord gave the solemn warning to be ready
for His coming, because the day or hour could not be
known, Peter inquired of Him whether it was designed
for His select disciples or for all men in general. The
Divine Teacher, without directly answering the question
proposed, proceeded to describe the faithful and wise
steward to whom the care of the household is entrusted,
that he may distribute to the domestics their allowance
in due time. Such a one is the type of an apostle or a
disciple called by the Lord to preside over His family,
who should discharge the duties of his office with fidelity,
in daily expectation of being surprised by the arrival of
his Master. The suddenness of the visitation is not to
be feared by the faithful and wise servant, since he is
happy because found engaged in the discharge of the
duties of his charge, and is rewarded with higher gifts
and greater proofs of confidence. This instruction is

438 Life of Bishop Neumann.

specially applicable to the prelates of the Church,
although it is not confined to them exclusively. It is for
all.

" You must perceive, brethren, the force of the warn
ing, and the illustration in reference to the prelate whose
obsequies we are celebrating. He was truly a faithful
and wise steward, set over the family of the Lord by
divine appointment, to distribute and to dispense the
means of sanctification and salvation. He was not un
mindful that his Lord might come at any time, on a day
and at an hour least expected, as in fact He did come.
But although suddenly snatched away, the good prelate
was blessed, because his Lord found him doing the
duties of his sacred office, and rewarded him, we may
well presume, with admission to a participation of the
divine glory and happiness. For my part, I have no fears
or misgivings on this subject. From my intimate knowl
edge of his virtues and labors, I entertain full confidence
that he has found acceptance. Yet the Church wisely
offers up prayers and sacrifice for him, and for every one
however holy and perfect he may appear, because the
divine judgments are different from those of men. Im
perfection is found in actions which win our admiration,
and even saints are not wholly without blemish, since
the heavens are not stainless in the divine sight. The
Pontiff who already occupies the chair so recently left
vacant begins his ministry by offering the Divine Victim
for his lamented predecessor. The clergy, assembled in
great numbers around the altar, join in the solemn ob
lation for the repose of their venerated Father in Christ.
The pious associations which he fostered fill the church
to unite in earnest supplication. Many members of simi
lar institutes from Baltimore are present, mingling their
fervent orisons for their former pastor with those of his
late children. Notwithstanding the confidence inspired
by the recollection of his virtues, we dare not rest on
his merits, but, awed by the consideration of the divine

V'X" ^""H / v / ' "-'/

™«^k , /, £&/ <>., *^.ir/^

Death and Obsequies of BisJwp Neumann. 439

judgments, we repeat the supplication of the Psalmist:
* Enter not into judgment with Thy servant, O Lord, for
no man living shall be justified in Thy sight.'

"Brethren, although our chief duty is to pray for the
soul of the departed prelate, yet it is permitted me to
say some words in his praise for your edification. I feel
the delicacy and the danger of eulogizing a frail mortal
in this sanctuary, before this altar, in the presence of
• God, who wills not that flesh be glorified in His sight.
Yet I do not fear that anything exaggerated shall escape
my lips on this occasion — anything that might be cen
sured by those intimately acquainted with the deceased.

" He was horn, in Bohemia, onAthe 28th of March, 1811, ,
nib i ~h '"Tr fjo irtiiiiii id 117. I know nothing of his early "
life, but that he made his studies with marked success,
and attained high literary honors in the University of
Prague. From his subsequent career it is fair to judge
that piety and innocence characterized his youth. Divine
Providence led him forth from the house of his father,
who even now survives, and from his fatherland, to these
distant shores. The late venerable Bishop of New York,
John Dubois, being satisfied with the testimonials which
he presented, and with the proofs of piety which he gave
during the short time of special preparation, ordained
him priest in June, 1836. His ministry was exercised
for some years in the western part of the State of New
York. Either from an apprehension of the dangers in
cidental to the secular priesthood or from a desire of
religious perfection, he joined the Order of the Redemp-
torists, founded in Italy about a century before by St.
Alphonsus Liguori. But few members of it were in this
country, scattered in various places; and though having
scarcely any facilities for practising the duties of a con
ventual life, yet he entered into it with so great fervor
that he became thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the
holy founder, and was appointed Superior of his breth
ren, to lead them onward in the sublime ways of perfec-

A.I. /.r

440 Life of Bishop Neumann.

tion. While applying himself with intense ardor to the
interior and contemplative life, he did not neglect those
external functions which are directed to the conversion
of sinners, the favorite object of the institute. His
apostolical labors in Pittsburg, Baltimore, and various
other cities and in country missions were constant,
zealous, and marked with great fruit. He was the chief
projector and builder of the beautiful church of St.
Philomena in Pittsburg. It is impossible to relate in
detail his successful efforts to establish pious confrater
nities, schools, and asylums; his incessant preaching; his
assiduous attendance at the confessional, accompanied
with a supernatural influence in the guidance of souls.
While thus pursuing his course with no ambition but
that of gaining souls to God, an event occurred which gave
occasion to his promotion to the episcopate, and placed
as it were on the candlestick of the Church the light
which lay concealed, or which was observable only by a
comparatively small number.

"My translation from this see to the metropolitan
church of Baltimore imposed on me the duty of pro
posing to the Holy See, with the advice and consent of
my colleagues, three candidates, that one of the number
might be appointed to replace me. The high commen
dation given by the distinguished Bishop of Pittsburg
of Father Neumann, whom he had intimately known,
induced me to place his name second on the list. I do
not mean to insinuate that the Bishop recommended
that he should be proposed; but as I deemed the knowl
edge of the German language an important qualification
for a prelate in a diocese containing so large a popula
tion speaking that tongue, he named him as a priest of
eminent merit. It pleased the Holy Father to appoint
the humble Redemptorist to this high office, and, in
order to prevent disappointment, he enjoined on him
under obedience to submit to the Divine Will. Thus all
hesitation was removed, and the consecration of the

Death and Obsequies of Bis/iop Nezimann. 441

Bishop-elect took place in the church of St. Alphonsus,
Baltimore, on Passion-Sunday, which by a remarkable
coincidence fell in the year 1852 on the 28th of March,
his birthday. The sacrifice of his feelings in this cir
cumstance can only be estimated by those who knew his
deep humility and great love of the religious state. He
felt as if he were torn from his loved retreat, and from
the society of his brethren, to be exposed to the gaze of
a proud world, likely to scorn the lowliness of his ap
pearance and the simplicity of his manners. He dreaded
the responsibility of governing a flock so vast, and of
managing interests so complicated, for which his re
tired habits had not prepared him. He feared lest the
difference of nationalities might impede and embar
rass his efforts, if not wholly defeat them. But, as he
had not sought or desired the post, he went forward, re
lying not on himself, but on God, who strengthens the
weak and effects His high counsels by the instruments
of His own choice, to show forth His power and mercy.
"Brethren, I may well appeal to you as to the manner
in which the venerable prelate fulfilled the duties of his
high office during the period which has since elapsed,
almost eight years. You will testify to his blameless life
and unfeigned piety. The constant visitation of his
diocese, throughout almost the whole year, marked him
as the good shepherd anxious to afford his sheep the
pastures of life eternal. He usually spent three days in
each congregation, preaching, hearing confessions, en
rolling applicants in religious confraternities, and other
wise laboring to render permanent the fruits of his visi
tation. The conferences and synods which he held with
his clergy disclosed to them treasures of ecclesiastical
learning which filled them with astonishment. The in
troduction of the devotion of the Forty Hours ill honor
of the Divine Eucharist enlivened the faith and excited
the piety of his flock, while it stimulated other prelates
to encourage the same pious exercises. The earnestness

44 2 Life of Bishop Neumann.

with which he promoted Catholic schools showed how
deeply impressed he was with the necessity of religious
education in order to secure the perseverance of the ris
ing generation in faith and virtue. The many religious
institutions which he established attest his untiring zeal
and charity. Truly he has been an active and devoted
prelate, living only for his flock. To his clergy he has
been full of tenderness. With those whom he ordained
he was as a father with his children; and to all he was
just and kind, teaching them more by example than by
word to be in all things without offence, that our minis
try may not be blamed. His solicitude for their sancti-
fication appeared in the annual retreats to which he
invited them. Their affections were daily more and
more won by him, without effort on his part beyond the
constant exhibition of paternal kindness. To the laity
he was a devoted pastor, always accessible and ready to
discharge the duties of his office, although his habits of
retirement gave him, in the early part of his episcopate,
an appearance of reserve which estranged from him the
more fashionable classes. The poor, the humble, always
found him kind, condescending, indulgent. His chan
ties were abundant. In order to be serviceable to all,
he studied various modern tongues besides the learned
languages which he had mastered in his university
course, and he actually acquired some of the most diffi
cult, with the least means for attaining to their knowl
edge. He had, indeed, great natural aptitude for learn
ing, and his literary taste manifested itself not merely in
theological pursuits, but in astronomy, botany, chemis
try, and various sciences directed to improve and delight
the mind. The treasures of learning concealed under
his humble exterior are scarcely credible to those who
did not know him intimately. We prize him, however,
for his piety and devotion far more than for his literary
and scientific endowments, and value more the humility
of his deportment, the purity of his life, the zeal with

Death and Obsequies of Bishop Ne^^mann. 443

which he sought the salvation of souls, than the honors
which crowned his studies in the university.

" It is as a pastor watching over his flock that he is
specially worthy of our veneration. Among the means
employed by him to promote their spiritual welfare are
the missions given by members of the religious Order
to which he had belonged. The preaching of the Di
vine Word by those zealous missionaries, with various
exercises of piety, during one or two weeks, in various
parishes of this city and diocese, have brought thousands
upon thousands of neglectful souls to the Sacraments
after years of delinquency.

" While he discharged all the duties of his sacred
office with fidelity and success, he always remained de
tached from its honors and eager to return to the pri
vacy of the cloister, where his heart still was. He ten
dered at various times his resignation, judging himself
incompetent to preside in so eminent a diocese, which
he was ready to abandon for a country town if his de
sire for seclusion could not be gratified. If he appeared
in any circumstance tenacious of his prerogative, it was
only under a sense of duty.

" Brethren, it may be a matter of surprise, as it is of
regret, that so holy 'a prelate should be so suddenly
snatched out of life, without a moment's warning save
some symptoms which, although strange, did not excite
alarm. Just after he had attended to a legal transaction
by acknowledging some instrument before a magistrate,
in apparent health, leaving the office he crossed the
street, sat down on the steps of a house, fell, and died.
How melancholy an end ! Without the comforts of
home, the aid of physicians, the solace of friends, the
consolations of religion, as a houseless stranger he ex
pired. But what matters it, brethren ? He was pre
pared to die at any moment, for he lived by faith and
walked with God. Each year of his life he passed ten days
in retreat preparing for death ; each month he observed

444 Life of Bishop Neumann.

a day of special recollection in the same spirit ; each
morning he meditated on heavenly thin'gs ; each hour,
and almost each moment, his soul communed with God.
The death of such a man could not be unhappy. What
matters it that God knocked not at the door of his heart
to apprise him of His coming ? He was busy doing his
Master's will : and * blessed is that servant whom his Lord,
when he shall come, shall find so doing.' The prisoner
who sighs for liberty loses nothing of satisfaction by
the sudden opening of the door of his dungeon at a
time when he thinks not that his liberation is at hand.
We have reason to believe that, after the few sighs and
groans which nature gave as tokens of departing life,
the spirit of the good prelate joyously soared aloft, to
commingle with the holy pastors who in every age ruled
well the respective portions of the flock, and now trium
phant wear the unfading crown with which the Prince of
the shepherds has rewarded their fidelity. His soul now
communes with the Ambroses, the Augustines, the Gre-
gories, and especially with the sainted Alphonsus, whom
he imitated so diligently. With them he praises God
for the multitude of His mercies, and gives Him homage.
"Brethren, the sudden death of your Bishop is a
solemn warning for us and for all. We are admonished
to be always ready, for we know not the day nor the
hour when the Lord will come. We are warned never
to remain in a state of sin, never to falter in the per
formance of our religious duties. It is an intimation
given to us that we may receive a hasty summons, which
we should be prepared to meet. Be careful, then, to
fulfil well the duties of your respective stations, to cor
respond faithfully with every grace divinely imparted,
to walk before God in fear and love, in the observance
of His commandments. Live as strangers and pilgrims;
abstain from carnal lusts, which war against the soul.
Remember that heaven is your home. Be mindful of
the uncertainty of life, and live with a deep conscious-

Death and Obsequies of Bishop Neumann. 445

ness that every day may be your last. When you go
out to attend to your affairs, understand well that you
may not return alive to your home. When you lie down
to rest, be fully sensible that the morning may find you
a corpse. Commend your souls to God, and implore
Him to forgive you your manifold faults and transgres
sions. Ask of Him to guard you against the many dan
gers which beset you. Ask of Him to bestow His grace
'abundantly upon you, that, in whatever circumstances
you may die, your soul may be received into that
kingdom into which nothing defiled can enter. Ask
of Him that you may be found doing His will, and be
admitted with His faithful servants to share their happi
ness."

Bishop Neumann's remains were to have been in
terred at St. John's, as it had the honor of being the
pro-Cathedral, and to this end preparations had already
been begun. But when Archbishop Kenrick arrived,
other arrangements were made. Very Rev. Father
de Dycker, C.SS.R., Provincial of the Redemptorists,
petitioned the Archbishop to allow the remains to be
taken to St. Peter's, the Redemptorist church. Arch
bishop Kenrick granted the request in these words: "I
gladly consent to Bishop Neumann's finding after death
a resting-place where he sought it in life but could not
find it."

The services over at St. John's, the body was again
conveyed in solemn procession to St. Peter's. The
distance was great, and the journey tedious. The pro
cession did not reach St. Peter's till four that after
noon. Whilst the remains were being placed on the
catafalque, the faithful entered the church in such
crowds that fears were entertained of some disturbance.
All were animated by one desire, that of looking once
more on the countenance of the deceased. With the
aid of the different societies connected with the church,
order was enforced. The crowds moved up the middle

446 Life of Bishop Neumann.

aisle, gazed upon the beloved remains, and left the
church by the side aisles. The tide of visitors lasted
until late into the night. At eight o'clock the Office of
the Dead was recited by upward of fifty clergymen,
and the different societies took turns as guards of honor
till the next morning. On the following day, Tuesday,^
the church was again crowded. At eight o'clock a sol
emn- Requiem was celebrated by Right Rev. Bishop
Wood, the new incumbent by right of succession, whilst
the sanctuary was filled by a large body of the clergy
belonging to the city. Before the Libera, Rev. Father. '.
Beranek, C.SS.R., of New York, pronounced in German
a beautiful and touching eulogy upon the deceased.
He alluded to the great affection the lamented Bishop
always entertained for the congregation he was now
addressing. Here it was that he had made his retreats,
here he had frequently adrrtmfst'efed the Sacrament of
Holy Orders and performed other episcopal functions.
Here, only a few days previously, on the hallowed feast
of Christmas, he had celebrated Pontifical High Mass
at midnight. The Father then spoke of the heroic vir
tues the Bishop had practised as a secular priest, when,
forgetful of self, he thought little of a long and difficult
journey if he could thereby carry the consolations of
religion to even a few souls. The reverend speaker
portrayed, likewise, the vast and manifold labors in
which the saintly prelate had engaged for the glory of
God, and touched upon the innumerable trials he had
endured till death heroically, patiently, submissively.
He then made a practical application of the foregoing
reflections, and encouraged his hearers to a true, active,
and disinterested love of God. He closed with the
remark that not only the united voices of friends and
brethren were now rendering homage to the servant of
God, but that God Himself seemed to lend His approval
to this general triumph, since the appearance of the
deceased presented no change: the body was as flexible

Death and Obsequies of Bishop Neumann. 447

as in life, although they reckoned the sixth day since
his demise.

The grand tones of the Libera now resounded through
the sacred edifice; the body was placed in the coffin
and, followed by a long train of ecclesiastics, borne in
solemn state to the chapel below, into which the laity
was not allowed to enter. The altar of this chapel lies
under the sanctuary of the church. In front of it a
small vault had been prepared, into which the body of
the saintly Bishop was lowered. Tears filled the eyes
of the reverend bystanders; expressions of sincere regret
were heard on all sides, and the words, " I feel as if
my own father were being laid to rest," escaped the lips
of many.

Solemn funeral-services were offered for the deceased
not only in the diocese of Philadelphia and all the con
vents of his Congregation, but by Bishops, priests, and
religious throughout the whole country, so generally
was the sainted dead loved and revered. We must
not fail to mention the sorrow caused by the news
of the Bishop's death in his native city far away in Bo
hemia.

As his visit to his fatherland, five years before, had
been hailed by demonstrations of the liveliest joy, so now
the news of his sudden death cast a gloom over Pracha-
titz and its surroundings. It was resolved in a general
assembly to celebrate his obsequies in his native city
with the solemnity due his exalted rank in the Church,
March 26. being fixed upon for the same. A magnifi
cent catafalque was erected and adorned with the
episcopal insignia, and around it burned numberless
wax-lights. The services began on the eve with the
chanting of the Office of the Dead by the clergy of the
city. The large church was crowded. Next morning
with the same thronged attendance the solemn
Requiem and Libera were sung. All the societies and
confraternities of the city were present with lighted

448 Life of Bishop Neumann.

torches, the imperial and civic officers were in attend
ance — in short, the whole affair was a magnificent
tribute to the deceased prelate's memory, a grand evi
dence of the veneration in which he was held by his
countrymen.

The same feelings animated the discourse pronounced
by the Director of the Schools, Rev. Joseph Brunner.
His eloquent sermon made a deep impression on his
hearers.

Nor were these the only marks of esteem paid the
saintly Bishop in his native city. Friends and relatives
wished to honor him by some lasting tribute to his
memory. After mature deliberation it was resolved to
erect in the cemetery of Prachatitz, in the lot belonging
to the Neumann family, a metal statue of the Blessed
Virgin under the title of the Immaculate Conception.
On the pedestal, in gold on a black ground, are in
scribed the words: " Mary conceived without sin, pray
for us and for the souls of our friends here at rest in
the peace of Christ." Lower down are the memorial
words:

"To the True Servant

of God,

JOHN NEPOMUCENE NEUMANN, *jbw\±(h
Born at Prachatitz, ^March 28, 1811,

Died
January 5, i5f>o,

as

Bishop of Philadelphia,

This monument was erected by his

Faithful Friends."

The statue of Our Lady is twelve feet in height, and
is a handsome specimen of art. It is surrounded by
trees, which form for it a protecting arbor, and furnished
with two tall lamps, one on either side. This beautiful
and generous tribute to the worth of the deceased was
not sufficient to satisfy the good people of Prachatitz.
They devised another means of perpetuating the noble

Death and Obsequies of Bishop Neumann. 449

and saintly prelate's memory. By a resolution of the
municipal authorities, the street in which the Neumann
family resided was thenceforward to be known as Neu
mann Street. The Bishop had, with the consent of his
brother and sisters, bequeathed his patrimony to the
Sisters of Charity. With it they erected a school and
orphanage, to the great and permanent advantage of the
city of Prachatitz.

450 <Ltfe °f Bishop Neumann.

CHAPTER XIII.

Bishop Neumann's Reputation for Sanctity.
Extraordinary Effects of his Intercession.

IF, at the close of this biography, we cast a retro
spective glance at the virtuous life, the labors, the
struggles, and sufferings of the servant of God, we shall
find realized in him the words of the Holy Ghost: " The
path of the just as a shining light goeth forwards and
increaseth even to perfect day" (Prov. iv. 18).

In Bishop Neumann's case this light of the just shone
forth in the pious child and in the aspiring youth; it
was resplendent in the apostolic priest and in the God-
loving religious; but when, by a special providence of
God, he was placed on the episcopal candlestick, its lus
tre acquired new brilliancy, its rays penetrated all parts
of his diocese and reflected far beyond. With the Apos
tle to the Gentiles, this shepherd could say to both the
clergy and laity of his flock, " Imitatores mei estote, sicut et
ego Jesu Christi" — " Be ye followers of me, as I am also a
follower of Jesus Christ." The servant of God was, in
truth, a burning and shining light which enlightened
and inflamed with the love of God all that approached
him.

It is not surprising, therefore, that Almighty God has
glorified His servant both in life and in death by a
reputation for sanctity, by extraordinary gifts of grace,
and by remarkable favors granted to his intercession.

We shall mention a few facts gathered from reliable
sources. We shall, however, premise our account by
declaring that we have neither desire nor intention to

His Reputation for Sanctity. 451

anticipate thereby the authority of Holy Church. She
alone has a right to decide in such matters.

The opinion entertained of Bishop Neumann by the
public at large is in the highest degree honorable to
him. All look upon him as a saint. We shall first
adduce in support of our statement the written testi
mony in our possession from the pen of creditable au
thorities.

The Superioress-General of a numerous Sisterhood
writes: " Bishop Neumann was a saint. Aside from his
special acts of heroic virtue, his every action, his every
word, his whole demeanor, even the tone of his voice,
bore the unmistakable character of sanctity. Whenever
he came to any of our convents, his first visit was to his
dear Lord in the Blessed Sacrament; and whilst before
the altar, his whole soul was so absorbed in God that
he appeared to be no longer of this world. Our Sisters
agree with me in what I say. All have had opportuni
ties to be convinced of its truth."

A pious prelate closes his communication in reference
to the deceased with these words: " May God be merci
ful to me through the manifold merits of this apostolic
man who, many years ago, occupied my room for a few
days!"

Rev. Father Sourin, S.J., writes: "The distinguished
and highly esteemed Bishop Neumann deserves to have
his life written, on account of his eminent sanctity, his
learning, and his labors for the Church of God in
America. He was always my best and truest friend. I
daily invoke his aid that during the last years of my
earthly career he may assist me by his intercession and
lead me to a happy eternity."

Even during his lifetime, pictures and relics received
from his hand were carefully preserved, and scraps of
his garments appropriated as precious relics. After his
death, however, the desire to possess articles belonging
to him was so great that the eagerness of the faithful

452 Life of Bishop Neumann,

had to be checked. Whilst his body was resting on
the catafalque, many devoutly kissed his feet — those
blessed feet that had so ardently trodden in the ways
of God ; others touched his hands with their pictures
and rosaries which they afterward kept as relics.

The gift of prophecy has been ascribed to Bishop
Neumann. One day a poor mother presented herself
before him, a sickly-looking babe in her arms. She was
in dread of losing the little creature, and she told the
Bishop so in tearful accents. " My boy is not yet two
years old," she said, " and he suffers agonizing pains
along with dropsy of the head. They tell me he must
die soon ;" and the poor woman wept. The Bishop's
tender heart was moved. Laying his hand gently on
the child's head, he said : " This child will not die. He
will grow up to manhood; he will be your consolation
and your joy." And so it turned out. The child became
a model youth, the support of his widowed mother and
his younger brothers and sisters.

The servant of God likewise foretold the time of his
own passage from this world. Walking" out one day
with his reverend nephew in the summer of 1857, he
remarked : " My father is reaching a very advanced age;
he is now eighty. But I shall not see fifty." His
nephew replied that not only his father but his mother,
also, had attained old age (the latter was seventy-three
at the time of her death); that all the members of their
family were, as a general thing, long-lived ; therefore he
(the Bishop) might look forward to the same. But the
latter repeated, in still more decided tones : " You will
see that I shall not see fifty." And in fact, Bishop
Neumann was only forty-eight years, nine months, and
seven days old at the period of his demise.

On the thirtieth day after the holy Bishop's death,
the vault in which he had been laid was opened and the
coffin raised. On examination the body was found per
fectly incorrupt. Articles of devotion were again

His Reputation for Sanctity. 453

touched to the remains, and all present desired to possess
themselves of some little scrap of his clothing to keep as
a relic. Ten months later the coffin was again opened,
when it was found that decomposition had begun its
work.

The opinion prevalent among the faithful that Bishop
Neumann's life had been that of a saint gave rise to
great confidence in him, as well as to the conviction that
he had already received the reward of his virtues: that
he was in the blissful enjoyment of the vision of God.
Numbers of the faithful might be seen kneeling rever
ently near his grave ; there they sought and often found
help in their spiritual and temporal necessities. Of the
prayers thus answered we have innumerable accounts
attested by trustworthy witnesses. Many ascribe to his
intercession the relief experienced in trials, temptations,
and scruples of conscience. A person of influence and
eminent for piety gives the following testimony: " In
prayer I often confided my troubles to the saintly
Bishop Neumann, and to glorify the truth I must
acknowledge that my supplications have frequently and
speedily been heard." Similar statements have been
sent us by numerous others, both priests and religious.

We have been informed, also, of many wonderful cures
effected through the holy Bishop's intercession. Sore
breasts, wounds of long standing, were healed in a mar
vellously short time without leaving even a scar, and
epileptics were freed of their malady at his grave.

Mother Mary Caroline, of the School-Sisters of Notre
Dame, says: " To Bishop Neumann's intercession we are
indebted for the favorable and remarkable answers to
many of our petitions. We were also the witnesses of
what we may denominate a standing miracle, since it
was repeated daily for five consecutive years. Sister
Anselma, who was so deaf that she could scarcely under
stand what we said to her, received daily for five years,
through the intercession of Bishop Neumann, whom she

454 Life of Bishop Neumann.

had invoked, the wonderful faculty of being able to
direct the boys' school. The room in which she taught
was situated in the basement of St. Peter's, near the
grave of the holy Bishop. In obedience and childlike
confidence, Sister Anselma daily invoked his aid before
school began, and daily received the grace to hear her
scholars. They understood her perfectly, and she con
ducted her class to the satisfaction of all. She had one
hundred and seventy little ones under her charge, among
whom silence and attention always reigned during her
hours of instruction."

Mrs. Ann Baker writes as follows :

" PHILADELPHIA, September 29, 1872.

" I had been suffering for over a year from open wounds
on my feet. I had had the services of several physicians,
but the evil, instead of diminishing, gradually grew worse,
and for several months I was unable to leave the house.
When I heard of the wonderful cures wrought at Bishop
Neumann's grave I was at once filled with confidence,
and I conceived an intense desire to visit the resting-
place of the servant of God, there to implore my cure.
Not being able to walk, I went in a carriage accompanied
by my aunt. The distance from my home in St. John's
parish to the Redemptorist church, St. Peter's, is con
siderable. On alighting from the carriage, I walked
painfully, my aunt assisting me, into the chapel and up
to the holy grave. This was on Saturday afternoon,
the eve of Passion-Sunday. With lively faith I drew
near the grave, and fell on my knees at the sanctu
ary rail, which cuts it off from the nave of the chapel,
when behold! the little gate in the rail opened of itself,
as if inviting my entrance. Yielding to an interior im
pulse, I passed in and knelt on the slab that covers the
vault, and there I prayed. I implored the saintly
Bishop, if in possession of the vision of God, to help me
in my present need, and I recited a few, I know not how
many, Paters and Aves. Relief, immediate relief, fol-

His Reputation for Sanctity. 455

lowed my prayer. I arose and left the chapel without
assistance. On entering the carriage, we drove straight
to St. John's, as I wished to go to confession to Rev.
Father Dunn. He was at the time in his confessional.
He knew me well; he knew of my helpless condition, as he
had often brought me Holy Communion in my own
house. Happening to see me in the church, he left the
confessional in astonishment to ask an explanation and
to hear my confession in the sacristy. ... I was some
what fatigued on returing home, but was able to mount
the stairs without help. I at once discarded the use of
remedies, and in a short time my feet were entirely
well. I have been in excellent health ever since."

Mary Hunneker, a little girl of thirteen, was threat
ened with blindness, the nerves of both eyes being
painfully affected. The best oculists were consulted,
but after six months' medical treatment there was no
improvement. Then the child began a novena at the
Bishop's grave, in which she was joined by her aunt
She prayed with childlike confidence, repeating the
words: "O holy Bishop, do help me that I may soon be
able to go to school again !" Her simple faith was re
warded. In a few days her eyes were perfectly well, and
that without the use of the doctor's remedies. When he
paid his next visit to his little patient, great was his
amazement to find her perfectly restored. He immedi
ately accorded her permission to resume her school-
duties.

In consequence of a nervous shock, Elizabeth O'Dris-
coll lost her voice, August 25, 1868. Several physicians
of Mobile, Ala., and others of Philadelphia, whither she
had removed, prescribed for her, but without success.
On February i, 1869, she received Holy Communion in
St. Peter's, and whilst praying at the grave of the holy
Bishop her voice was perfectly restored.

Joseph Hartmann and Mary Barbara, his wife, were
very anxious about their child, which, though three years

456 Life of Bishop Neumann.

and a half old, had as yet made no attempt to walk.
They promised that if their child, through the interces
sion of Bishop Neumann, would begin to walk, they
would have a High Mass sung in thanksgiving. Shortly
after their vow they were amazed at seeing the child run
ning about the yard and playing with the other children.
The parents praised God that through the holy Bishop's
intercession their sorrow had been changed into joy.
Soon after, however, the little one relapsed into its for
mer state: it could not stand; its feet refused to carry it
around. The parents looked on with grief and conster
nation, and suddenly the father bethought him of his
promise. It had not been fulfilled. Then he renewed
his vow to have a solemn High Mass celebrated for the
glory of God and in honor of his faithful servant. The
child again began to run around without the slightest
trace of its former weakness. We need hardly state that
this time the vow was accomplished.

With such facts before us, facts well authenticated,
and which occurred so recently after his death, must we
not entertain the firm belief that the servant of God has
entered into the joys of his Lord, has received his eter
nal reward? Glorious must have been his triumphal
entrance into heaven, heralded by the rich fruits of his
apostolic labors, clothed with his heroic virtues, his con
secrated hands filled with well-earned merits! What
numbers of the redeemed had not his untiring zeal sent
thither during his short, full life! With what songs of
jubilation they thronged the pearly gates of the Heavenly
Jerusalem to welcome in canticles of joy the coming of
their benefactor, to lead him to the feet of Mary, his
Mother, to the arms of Jesus, the one sole love and desire
of his noble heart !

May this biography prove to our times that the age
of sanctity is not confined to the past; that there are
saints in our own day as eminent for holiness as in any
that have preceded us! May it excite in the hearts of

His Reputation for Sanctity. 457

clergy and laity an earnest desire to attain perfection in
their respective states!

We trust that Bishop Neumann, by his intercession
before the throne of God, will continue his apostolate in
behalf of the Church Militant in general, and particu
larly of the portion for which he himself so generously
labored, the Church in the United States, to which he
sacrificed talents and strength, home and country — yea,
even life itself.

In conclusion we must acknowledge our conviction
that in the foregoing pages we have paid but a small
tribute to the saintly Bishop's deserts. It may be that
some master-pen will, after perusing this work, be in
cited to portray in vivid colors the heroic deeds and
virtues of the great servant of God. Hoping such
may be among the fruits produced by it, we venture to
present it to the public, imploring upon its pages and
their readers the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost.

THE END.

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Life of Right Rev. John N
Neumann, D.D.

3QX
4522

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