National Shrine of St. John Neumann
| National Shrine of St. John Neumann | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Saint John Neumann |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of Philadelphia |
| Deanery: | Lower Northeast Deanery |
| Address: | 1019 N 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 |
| Coordinates: | 39.9571, -75.1446 |
| City: | Philadelphia, PA |
| Subdivision: | Pennsylvania |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Philadelphia County |
| Website: | https://stjohnneumann.org |
| Founded: | 1860 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | sjnoffice@comcast.net |
National Shrine of St. John Neumann is in Pennsylvania (United States) and is part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
It is dedicated to Saint John Neumann.
History
The National Shrine of St. John Neumann, located within St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, traces its origins to the death of St. John Neumann, the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, on January 5, 1860. A Czech-born Redemptorist priest, Neumann served as bishop from 1852 until his sudden death at age 48, leaving a legacy of founding parishes, schools, and the first diocesan school system in the U.S. His body was initially buried in the church’s basement, and after his canonization by Pope Paul VI on June 19, 1977—the first American male saint—the site became a national shrine. The shrine resides beneath St. Peter the Apostle Church, where Neumann’s remains are preserved in a glass-encased altar, dressed in episcopal vestments with a wax mask. Managed by the Redemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer), the shrine continues Neumann’s mission of evangelization, offering daily Eucharist and Reconciliation as a place of perpetual mission. Its modest setting belies its significance as a pilgrimage site honoring a giant of American Catholicism.
Special features
- The shrine houses the preserved body of St. John Neumann beneath the altar, visible through glass, making it a unique pilgrimage destination and a rare instance of an intact saintly relic in the U.S.
- The St. John Neumann Center, renovated in 2015, offers a 50-by-120-foot space for religious events and large pilgrim gatherings, hosting events like diocesan award ceremonies for up to 384 guests.
- Gift shop offerings include third-class relics, such as the Crystal 3rd c. Relic Rosary, connecting visitors tangibly to Neumann’s legacy.
- The shrine’s location within St. Peter the Apostle Church, a large stone edifice at 5th and Girard Avenue, reflects Philadelphia’s rich Catholic architectural heritage.
Related parishes
The National Shrine of St. John Neumann operates under the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is closely tied to St. Peter the Apostle Parish, which houses it. As part of the Lower Northeast Deanery, it connects to other parishes in the archdiocese, such as St. Michael’s or St. Anne’s in Philadelphia, through shared Redemptorist ministry and diocesan oversight.