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Full Title
Funeral obsequies of Rt. Rev. John Nepomucene Neumann, D.D., C. SS. R., fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia
Author
Kenrick, Francis Patrick, 1796-1863. Neumann, John, Saint, 1811-1860.
Date Added
10 January 2014
Language
English
Publish Date
1860
Publisher
Philadelphia [Pa.] : Downing & Daly
Source
Catholica
Alternate Title
containing also a brief sketch of the life of the Rt. Rev. Prelate and the sermon preached in St. John's Church, Sunday morning, January 8th, 1860 : and also the sermon of the Most Rev. Archbishop Kenrick, of Baltimore, upon the occasion of the funeral ceremonies, January 9th, 1860 together with the history of the ivory crucifix, which was placed above the remains of the Prelate while lying in state at the cathedral chapel.
Topic
Neumann, John, Saint, 1811-1860 > Death and burial. Catholic Church > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia > Bishops > Biography. Bishops > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia > Biography. Saints > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia > Biography. Catholic Church > Sermons. Funeral sermons. Sermons, American. Genoa ivory crucifix. Ivories > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia.
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Disclaimers
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OCR
33
relief through their lay-brother Carlo. The time not spent in
works of charity or the labors appertaining to the Convent, in
prayer or in pious reflection, he spent in reading the pious
volumes contained in the Convent library or carving rude images
of the titular patron of the Convent of St. Nicholas or of the
Virgin and her Divine child. His course of reading and his
contemplative life had fixed in his soul the sublime impressions
of love, gratitude and veneration. Seated one evening in his
solitary cell he pondered over the sufferings by which his Saviour
had purchased his redemption. While he was sunk in thought
he in an instant seemed transported out of himself—external
objects to him were as if they were not. Darkness was around
him—not the cold familiar darkness of the night, but a dark red
hue tinged by a thick lead-colored mass, rendering the day
hideously obscure, such as might portend the wreck of worlds,
no object at first was visible in this gloom of terror. The spirit
of the observer was pressed down—he seemed to choke without
the power of exertion—gradually a fierce murmur broke upon
the ear of the monk, it swelled like the noise of a fierce, hoarse,
discordant tumult. There was no exultation in the sound, it
swelled as like a storm of brutal roaring suddenly checked and
lost in the ponderous volume of gloom. The soul of the-monk
was heavy—pressed down with the vision of Calvary’s Mount—
the noise, changed to a hollow mocking sound of unearthly
laughter, was heard above the now dull roar, and then as
the sun seemed struggling out from the palpable gloom he felt
revived. He saw the late turbulent mob stilled as if an: electric
flash had struck them lifeless—ere he looked again they had
turned slowly away. Sullen grief and shame bowed down their
heads, and there at the foot of the Redeemer’s cross the monk
appeared to stand alone and mute. Above him hung the Divine
victim for the sins of man. The monk looked up, a ray of light
shone on the countenance of a Saviour dead, life had flown at
the same instant that the light returned. Suffering had been
there, it was now gone, the departing agony had left a mark
3