SAINT FOR DECEMBER

SAINT JOHN KANTY

Priest
(1390?-1473 )

DECEMBER 23^rd

“Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love.  Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause.” (St. John Kanty)

     John Kanty grew up in a rural environment. As an adult he studied at the University in Krakow, Poland. He was ordained a priest and became a professor of theology. John was a serious man, who taught well and quietly exercised very strict discipline on himself. 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. The opposition of his associates led to John’s being sent to do parish work. However, he had not been trained for parish duties and felt the burden of the responsibilities.

     Eventually John returned to the university to teach Scripture. The material he taught was not remembered as much as the holiness of his life. Everywhere he was known for his humility and spontaneous generosity. He gave everything to the poor and kept only the clothes he most needed. Four times he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, carrying his luggage on his back.

     When John died, people already claimed he was a saint. At the time of John’s canonization Pope Clement XIII wrote: “Saint John of Kanty deserves a high place among the great saints and scholars who practice what they preach and defend the true faith against those who attack it.”

Sources:  IN HIS LIKENESS,  by Rev. Charles E. Yost, SCJ, STL; SAINT OF THE DAY, Leonard Foley, O.F.M., Editor;
SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS, Loyola University Press)

THOUGHTS FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH