Feast-day: March 20
When did John Nepomuk live: in the fourteenth century
Biography of John Nepomuk:
John Nepomuk was the son of a Bohemian judge. After his studies, he became imperial notary at a law firm in Prague. In 1380 he was ordained, and shortly afterwards he became pastor at the Church of St Wenceslas. Later, he continued his studies in Prague and Padua. After his return from Padua, he was also made Archdeacon of Saaz. In this time of the Great Western Schism, there were always disputes. Indeed, a rivalry arose between King Wenzel IV and the Archbishop . In the course of events John Nepomuk was arrested, tortured and eventually drowned in the Vltava river. According to the legend, the lifeless body of John was surrounded by five flames as it was floating in the river.
Patronage: John of Nepomuk is the patron saint of confessors, bridges, skippers and priests, the city of Salzburg and Prague, Bohemia and against tongue diseases and water disasters.
Statues and carvings of St. John Nepomuk: Portrayal, symbolism and emblem: Saint John of Nepomuk is shown with priestly vestments, priest hat, book, a crucifix and the palm of martyrs.