St. John Nepomucene

John Nepomucene was born in Bohemia in 1340. In his early childhood, he was cured of a disease through the prayers of his good parents. In thanksgiving, they consecrated him to the service of God. After he was ordained, he was sent to a parish in the city of Prague. He became a great preacher, and thousands of those who listened to him changed their way of life.

Father John was invited to the court of Wenceslaus IV, where he became the queen's confessor. When the king was cruel to the queen, Father John taught her to bear her cross patiently. One day, about 1393, the king asked him to tell what the queen had said in confession. When Father John refused, he was thrown into prison. A second time, he was asked to reveal the queen's confession. "If you do not tell me," said the king, "you shall die. But if you obey my commands, riches and honor will be yours." Again Father John refused. He was tortured. The king ordered that he be thrown into the river. He died in 1393.

He is known as the "martyr of the confessional." He is patron of Czechoslovakia, where he is invoked against floods and against slander. He is also a patron of confessors. His feast day is May 16.