22 March: Saint John Nepomucene, Martyr
Symbol of fidelity to the truth and to the freedom of the Church
John Nepomucene was born in 1330 (or 1345, depending on the sources) in Nepomuk, currently part of the Czech Republic. He stood out for his intelligence from a young age and graduated in Canon Law from the University of Padua in 1387, but never had any personal ambitions of an ecclesiastical career, preferring instead to humbly dedicate himself to his vocation. He served in different roles, including as parish priest and canon of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, for which he received no financial benefit.
His life changed in 1393, when he was appointed vicar general by the Archbishop of Prague. Thanks to his prominent position and his oratorical skills, he became advisor to King Wenceslaus IV. However, his rise at court was not without problems. When the Abbey of Kladruby became vacant in 1393, King Wenceslaus IV decided to transform it into a bishopric and appoint someone loyal to him. As an expert in canon law, John strongly opposed the decision, highlighting that it violated ecclesiastical freedom. He fought for the election of a new abbot and won, but the King did not accept the defeat.
He was thus arrested along with three other Church figures. While the others gave in to the torture, John remained steadfast in his loyalty to the Church, unwilling to succumb to the King, and was sentenced to be executed.
On the night of 20 March 1393, he was taken in chains to the Vltava River, where he was drowned. His body was found the following day along the shore, surrounded by an extraordinary light that symbolized his sacrifice.
According to another account of John's death which does not contradict his death in the River Vlatva, but rather its cause, John had become the confessor of Queen Joanna of Bavaria, the wife of Wenceslaus IV. When the King unjustly suspected that the Queen was betraying him, he accused John of being his wife’s lover. He then became convinced that another man was involved and ordered John to reveal his name, which he believed the Queen had revealed to the priest during Confession. But John remained firm in his conviction that the secrecy of Confession was inviolable, regardless of any pressure or threat made against him.
Not only did he refuse to violate the seal of Confession, but he also maintained his integrity and courage, which enraged Wenceslaus, resulting in John's arrest, his torture and his resistance to the King's demand for details of the Queen's Confession. John Nepomucene remained steadfast in his commitment to preserve the sacramental seal and became a martyr of the Church and the faith.
He was soon venerated throughout Europe and was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1729.