Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer

Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer
Feast Day	March 15
Profession	Priest, Redemptorist missionary, confessor
Rel. Affiliation	Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists)
Patronage	Vienna; bakers; bridge-builders; those suffering rheumatism/arthritis
Attributes	Redemptorist habit, crucifix, book (preaching), symbols of confession
Birthplace	Taßwitz (Tasovice), Moravia, Habsburg Monarchy (now Czech Republic)
Death Place	Vienna, Austria
Cause of Death	Natural causes (illness following lifelong austerity)
Primary Shrine	Church of St. Ursula, Vienna, Austria (tomb)

Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer (born Johannes Hofbauer; also known as Clemens Maria Hofbauer or the “Apostle of Vienna”), C.Ss.R., was an Austrian Redemptorist priest and missionary renowned for his tireless evangelization in Central Europe during the Napoleonic era. According to Redemptorist records and the official acts of canonization, he was born on December 26, 1751, in Taßwitz (Tasovice), Moravia (then part of the Habsburg Monarchy, now Czech Republic), as the youngest of twelve children of a poor butcher and innkeeper. Orphaned at a young age, he worked as a baker’s apprentice and later as a servant in the chapel of the Minorite Church in Vienna.

Historical evidence from his own letters and contemporary Redemptorist documents indicates that he felt a strong vocation to the priesthood but lacked the means for formal studies. In 1775 he entered the monastery of the Hermits of St. Romuald (Camaldolese) at Zirc in Hungary, taking the name Clement Maria, but left after a short time due to the suppression of contemplative orders under Joseph II’s reforms. He returned to Vienna, studied privately, and was ordained a diocesan priest on September 19, 1785, in Vienna.

In 1784–1785 he traveled to Rome, where he met the Redemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer) and joined the Congregation on March 27, 1785, making his profession on October 24, 1785. Sent back to the German-speaking lands, he founded the first Redemptorist house north of the Alps at St. Benno’s Church in Warsaw (1787), where he worked among the poor and Polish population until the Prussian occupation forced the community to leave in 1808. He then established the Redemptorists in Vienna at the Church of St. Ursula (1808), where he spent the rest of his life preaching, hearing confessions (often 12–16 hours daily), and ministering to the sick and poor during the Napoleonic occupation and the 1809 siege of Vienna.

According to eyewitness testimonies gathered during the canonization process, he was known for his extraordinary gift of reading souls, his devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady, and his ability to reconcile enemies and convert hardened sinners. He died on March 15, 1820, in Vienna at age 68, after a short illness.

The cause for his beatification was introduced in Vienna in 1862. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on January 29, 1888, and canonized by Pope Pius X on May 20, 1909, in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. As of March 6, 2026, he is venerated as the patron saint of Vienna and of bakers (due to his early apprenticeship), bridge-builders, and those suffering from rheumatism or arthritis (popular devotion). His feast is celebrated on March 15 in the General Roman Calendar and the Redemptorist liturgical calendar.

This reflects established Catholic tradition and official Vatican/Redemptorist documentation, but consult primary Church sources (e.g., the acts of canonization, Redemptorist archives, or the Roman Martyrology) for specific devotional practices.

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Biography

Birth

According to Redemptorist records and the canonization acts, Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer was born Johannes Hofbauer on December 26, 1751, in Taßwitz (Tasovice), Moravia, in the Habsburg Monarchy (now Czech Republic), the youngest of twelve children of a poor butcher and innkeeper.

Evidence suggests his early poverty and orphanhood shaped his later solidarity with the poor.

Early Life

Orphaned young, he worked as a baker’s apprentice and later as a servant in the Minorite chapel in Vienna, where he developed a deep prayer life.

Historical accounts note his desire for the priesthood despite lack of resources.

Occupation

After brief time with the Camaldolese hermits at Zirc (1775), he returned to Vienna, studied privately, and was ordained a diocesan priest on September 19, 1785.

He joined the Redemptorists in Rome (1785) and served as missionary, superior, and confessor in Warsaw and Vienna.

Vocation

Clement’s vocation was marked by missionary zeal, intense confessional ministry (often 12–16 hours daily), and fidelity to the Redemptorist charism amid political upheaval.

Hagiographic tradition holds his gift of reading souls and reconciling enemies as extraordinary, though this reflects pious testimony.

Death

Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer met his end on March 15, 1820, in Vienna after a short illness, having spent his final years preaching and hearing confessions during the Napoleonic occupation.

Significant events

Born December 26, 1751, in Taßwitz.
Ordained diocesan priest September 19, 1785.
Joined Redemptorists in Rome, professed October 24, 1785.
Founded Redemptorist house in Warsaw (1787).
Established Redemptorists in Vienna at St. Ursula (1808).
Ministered through 1809 siege of Vienna.
Died March 15, 1820.
Beatified January 29, 1888.
Canonized May 20, 1909.

Significant locations

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Legend

Birth location: Taßwitz (Tasovice), Moravia, Habsburg Monarchy (now Czech Republic)
Death location: Vienna, Austria
Notable location: Principal residence and ministry as Redemptorist in Vienna (1808–1820) (Church of St. Ursula, Vienna, Austria)
Notable location: First Redemptorist foundation north of the Alps (1787–1808) (St. Benno’s Church, Warsaw, Poland)
Notable location: Early ministry and ordination in Vienna (Church of Maria am Gestade, Vienna)
Notable location: Novitiate and profession (1785) (Redemptorist house, Rome, Italy)
Notable location:

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Parishes

No parishes dedicated to Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer have been added to the database yet.

Media

No media found for this saint.

Shrines

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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.

List of shrines

Church of St. Ursula, Vienna

The church in Vienna where Saint Clement ministered as a Redemptorist from 1808 until his death. It houses his tomb and is designated as a center for pilgrimage and devotion, qualifying under Canon 1230.

Pilgrimage details: Vienna; Archdiocese of Vienna.

Fact: Site of his final ministry and burial.

No other major shrines are documented with official designation as of March 6, 2026.

Canonization

Beatified January 29, 1888, by Pope Leo XIII. Canonized May 20, 1909, by Pope Pius X.

Miracles

According to the canonization process, miracles were attributed during his life and after death, including healings and conversions through his confessional ministry.

Specific miracle details for beatification/canonization are documented in the Vatican acts but are not widely publicized beyond the process.

Patronage

Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer is the patron saint of Vienna, bakers (from his early apprenticeship), bridge-builders, and those suffering from rheumatism or arthritis (popular devotion).

Feast day

March 15

Veneration

Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer is venerated through his feast on March 15 in the General Roman Calendar and Redemptorist liturgy, pilgrimages to St. Ursula Church in Vienna, and devotion to his example of tireless evangelization and confessional zeal. His relics are kept in St. Ursula Church.

He has been depicted in statues and paintings as a Redemptorist priest in the act of preaching or hearing confessions.

Books

Written about the saint

Biographies by Redemptorists (e.g., works by Father Joseph Wirth, C.Ss.R.).
Entries in Butler’s *Lives of the Saints* (March 15).

Written by the saint

Letters and spiritual notes preserved in Redemptorist archives.

External links

References

Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer

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