He is a second-generation Hungarian. He completed his studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, St. Procopius College in Lisle, IL, and in Budapest. During his studies in Budapest, he was a student at the Central Seminary from 1936 to 1941. He was ordained a priest on April 6, 1941. On October 17, 1966, he was appointed papal chaplain. He served as director of the Western Philadelphia Sodality Union.
Foreign service locations
From
To
Place
Country
Church / institution
Position
1945
1950
Cleveland, OH
USA
1951
1958
Detroit, MI
USA
1958
1959
East Pittsburgh, PA
USA
1959
1966
Munhall, PA
USA
According to another source: 1961–1964 Homestead, PA, USA
Gernat János: personal record. In: Historical directory of Hungarian, Hungarian-descended, and Hungarian-speaking clergy serving abroad. Available at: https://www.diaszporalelkipasztorok.hu/persons_v2/view.php?id=324 (accessed: 2026-05-06).