Saint of the day December 23, 2024

St. John of Kanty was born John Cantius in a small town in Poland in 1390. At age 23, he left his country home for Kraków to study for the priesthood. He enrolled in a prestigious university just outside the city where he earned a doctorate in philosophy and began teaching philosophy while continuing his studies for the priesthood.

After ordination, John became a professor at the university, eventually rising to be head of the philosophy and theology departments. Known for his generosity and kindness, he rose in popularity, which put him at odds with some of the other professors. With a rising dissention, he was sent to serve at a parish in Olkusa, a small, rural town in Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic).

His parishioners were not welcoming, knowing of his past difficulties, and it was not a job for which John was well-prepared, so he struggled in his new position. Nevertheless, with patience and perseverance and without showing bitterness for what had happened to him, he eventually won the people over. After eight years, he was called back to the university where he taught sacred Scripture.

In addition to being a scholar, St. John of Kanty was known for his compassion, his holiness, his humility, and for living a simple, austere life. Canonized by Pope Clement XIII in 1767, he was the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania and was an influential figure in the life of Saint John Paul II, who, during a pilgrimage to Kraków in 1997, prayed at his tomb, saying that St. John of Kanty's life exampled what happens when "knowledge and wisdom seek a covenant with holiness."

As with many saints, miracles are also attributed to him. One legend relates that he came upon a poor young lady who was a servant to a strict and severe woman. While on an errand to fetch some milk, she accidentally dropped her jar, breaking it and spilling the milk. Father John had compassion for her, prayed over the jar, and miraculously fixed it. Even the milk was returned. Other stories relate to the miraculous healings of the sick and the recovery of stolen money. Many more miracles were attributed to his intercession by those who visited his tomb after his death. These later miracles drew pilgrims from across Europe to the university’s Collegiate Church of Saint Anne, where he was buried.

Reflection

St. John of Kanty is a great example of someone coming from a poor country background who worked hard to move ahead but was always blocked by others because of jealousy and envy.
St. John learned from personal experience what the Spiritual Works of Mercy encompass. The importance of forgiving others and bearing wrongs patiently helped John become more Christ-like.
As we honor Saint John Cantius, ponder the fact that the attributes that made him so beloved were his humility, generosity, simplicity, concern for others, and diligence in his daily duties. These are qualities that we can all imitate in our own lives and are qualities that can produce saints. Consider any way that you struggle with these qualities, and seek to imitate this humble servant of God.