Today Christians Celebrate Feast of St John of Kanty, Patron Saint of Teachers, Students & Priests – Please Pray For Us!

St John of KantySt John of Kanty (1390-1473) Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) John was a country lad who made good in the big city and the big University of Krakow (Poland) after brilliant studies, he was ordained a Priest and became a Professor of Theology.

The inevitable opposition which Saints encounter, led to his being ousted by rivals and sent to be a parish Priest at Olkusz–an extreme humble man, he did his best but his best was not to the liking of his parishioners, besides he was afraid of the responsibilities of his position but in the end, he won the people’s hearts. After sometime, he returned to Krakow and taught the scripture for the rest of his life.

A serious man and humble, John was known to the poor of Krakow for his kindness, his goods and his money, were always at their disposal and time and again, they took advantage of him. John would only keep the money and clothes absolutely needed to support himself, he slept little and then on the floor, he ate sparingly and took no meat.

John made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem hoping to be martyred by the Turks, he made four pilgrimages to Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When he was warned to look after his health, he was quick to point out that, for all their austerity, the fathers of the desert lived remarkably long lives.

John of Kanty is a typical Saint, he was kind, humble and generous, he suffered opposition and led an austere, penitential life. Many Christians in an affluent society can understand all the ingredients except for the last:

Anything more than mild self-discipline seems reserved for athletes and ballet dancers–Christmas is a good time at least to reject self-indulgence.

Saint John of Kanty is the patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims according to uCatholic Pope John Paul II drew much inspiration at the grave of his Patron Saint of learning. It was no surprise therefore, during his 1997 pilgrimage to Poland, he once more prayed at Saint John of Kanty’s tomb and it was there during a special gathering with professors from the Jagiellonian-both his and Saint John of Kanty’s alma-mater, he alluded to the Master from Kanty when he stated: “Knowledge and wisdom seek a covenant with holiness.”

More here on Saint John of Kanty from –365 Rosaries

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