At the age of 48, Bishop John Nepomucene Neumann passed away on January 5, 1860, from a heart attack. In his short time as Bishop of Philadelphia, Neumann built 89 churches, set up the modern Catholic school system, introduced the Forty Hours Devotion, and founded the Third Order of Saint Francis. It was not long after his death that calls were being made to open his cause for canonization. In May of 1886, the Diocese of Philadelphia and his order, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), held the first session to examine the life of John Neumann for evidence of his virtue.
