Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer

[Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer]
Also known as
Apostle of Vienna
Clemens Mary Hofbauer
Johannes Hofbauer
John Dvorák
Klemens Maria
Second Founder of the Redemptorists
Memorial
15 March
Profile
Ninth child of a butcher who changed the family name from the Moravian Dvorák to the Germanic Hofbauer. His father died when Clement was six years old. He felt a call to the priesthood, but his family was too poor to afford his education. Apprentice and journeyman baker at Premonstratensian monastery at Bruck. Hermit.

When hermitage were abolished by Emperor Joseph II, Clement worked as a baker in Vienna. Hermit in Italy with Peter Kunzmann, taking the name Clement. Made three pilgrimages to Rome. During the third, he joined the Redemptorists at San Giuliano, adding the name Marie. He met some sponsors following a Mass, and they agreed to pay for his education. Studied at the University of Vienna, and at Rome. Ordained in 1785, and assigned to Vienna.

Missionary to Warsaw with several companions from 1786 to 1808, working with the poor, building schools and orphanages; the brothers preached five sermons a day. Spiritual teacher of Venerable Joseph Passerat. With Father Thaddeus Hubl, he introduced the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer to Poland. From there he sent Redemptorist missionaries to Germany and Switzerland. Clement and his companions were imprisoned in 1808 when Napoleon suppressed religious orders, then expelled to Austria.

Noted preacher and spiritual director in Vienna. Chaplain and spiritual director of an Urusline convent. Founded a Catholic college in Vienna. Worked with young men, and helped revitalize German religious life. Worked against the establishment of a German national Church. Worked against Josephinism which sought secular control of the Church and clergy.
Born
26 December 1751 at Tasswitz, Moravia as John Dvorák
Died
15 March 1820 at Vienna, Austria of natural causes
Name Meaning
kind (Clement - latin)
Venerated
14 May 1876
Beatified
29 January 1888 by Pope Leo XIII
Canonized
1909 by Pope Pius X
Patronage
Vienna, Austria (named by Pope Pius X in 1914)
Additional Information
New Catholic Dictionary
Catholic Encyclopedia
For All The Saints
Perpetual Mission of Saint Clement at Saint Benno's
Prayer of Saint Clement
Saint Clement and the Catholic Movement
Saints: A concise Biographical Dictionary by John Coulson
Saint Clement: The Preacher
The Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Brunson
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Readings
Religion in Austria has lost its chief support.

- Pope Pius VII on hearing of Saint Clement's death
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