23 December – St John of Kanty

[Weedy]

23 December – St John of Kanty

(1390-1473) Patron of Poland and Lithuania

To most Catholics, St John of Kanty—otherwise known as John Kanty or
John Cantius—is an obscure saint but even in Europe, probably few
people know of Pope John Paul II’s deep and lifelong devotion to this
professor saint. Only 13 miles from the Holy Father’s own birthplace,
John was born in the small southern Polish town of Kanty on June 24,
1390. At the age of 23, he registered for studies at the Jagiellonian
University, located in the not too distant city of Krakow—then, the
capital of the Polish Kingdom. Founded 1364 by royal decree, it was
the same university at which astronomer, Nicolas Copernicus, would
study almost 80 years later. Enrolled in the Department of Liberal
Arts, John became a doctor of philosophy in 1418. During the following
three years, he undertook further studies in preparation for the
priesthood, while supporting himself by conducting philosophy classes
at the university.

Immediately following ordination, he accepted a position as rector at
the prestigious school of the Canons Regular of the Most Holy
Sepulchre in Miechow. That such a school would offer him this position
at his relatively young age was evidence of John’s exceptional
intellect and talents. It was there in conducting formation classes
for the young novices that he became firmly grounded in the writings
and spirituality of St Augustine.

In 1429, a position became vacant in the Philosophy Department at the
Jagiellonian University. John quickly returned to Krakow for the Job,
taking up residence at the university where he remained until his
death. He also began studies in theology and after 13 long years of
study intertwined with teaching and administrative duties as head of
the Philosophy Department, he finally received his doctorate. Later,
after the death of his mentor, the eminent theologian Benedykt Hesse,
John assumed directorship of the university’s Theology Department.

As most learned men of his day, John spent many of his free hours hand
copying manuscripts of the Holy Scriptures, theological tracts and
other scholarly works. Although only 26 volumes have survived to our
time, their total of over 18,000 pages is a testament to his
exceptional industriousness.

During the course of his life in Krakow, John became well known among
the city’s residents for his generosity and compassion toward the
poor, always sacrificing his own needs in order to help those less
fortunate. He felt a special affinity toward needy students at the
university, helping to care for their spiritual, physical, and
academic needs. Whether it was in the classroom or in the pulpit,
everyone knew him as a staunch defender of the faith and enemy of
heretics.

By the time the Master from Kanty died on 24 December 1473, the people
of Krakow already considered him a very holy man. That his opinion was
wholly justified can be evidenced by the numerous favours and miracles
attributed to John’s intercession beginning immediately following his
death. Before long, John from Kanty became known widely throughout
Europe, drawing pilgrims from many countries to his tomb in the
university’s Collegiate Church of St Anne. Despite this, the process
for his beatification did not begin until 150 years later. Finally, in
1676, Pope Clement XIII declared him a saint of the Roman Catholic
Church, proclaiming 20 October as his feast day.

Throughout his many years in Krakow, our philosopher Pontiff drew much
inspiration at the grave of his patron saint of learning. It was no
surprise, therefore, that during his 1997 pilgrimage to Poland, he
once more prayed at the Saint’s tomb. There, during a special
gathering with professors from the Jagiellonian -both his and St.
John’s alma mater— he alluded to the Master from Kanty when he stated:
“Knowledge and wisdom seek a covenant with holiness.”

Saint John Kanty’s feast day was moved in 1969 it was to 23 December
the day before the anniversary of his death, which occurred on
Christmas Eve, 1473.

https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/23/


Advent and Christmas Wisdom with St Alphonsus Liguori

God’s love is demonstrated by the birth of Jesus
“Consider the love of God. It was always present but did not always
appear. It was first promised in many prophecies and foreshadowed by
many figures but, at the birth of our Redeemer, this divine love did
indeed appear. But despite the birth of Jesus, why is it that so many
people have not known God’s love and so many people seem ignorant of
His love? This is the reason – “The light of the world has come into
the world and humanity loves darkness rather than the light.” They
have not known Him and they do not know Him because they do not wish
to know Him, loving rather the darkness of sin than the light of
grace. Let each one determine this day not to be numbered among those
unhappy souls who prefer the darkness.
O my holy Infant, now I see You lying on the straw, poor, afflicted
and forsaken. I have been one of those ungrateful ones who do not know
You. Help me never to forget You again.”

Scripture
Restore us, O God;
let thy face shine, that we may be saved! Psalm 80:3

Saint Quote:
Being obedient she became the cause of salvation for herself and for
the whole human race. The knot of Eve's disobedience was untied by
Mary's obedience: what Eve bound through her disbelief, the Virgin
Mary loosened by her faith.
-- Saint Irenaeus of Lyons

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Who abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him.--1 John 4:16

10. One act of resignation to the Divine Will, when it ordains what is
repugnant to us, is worth more than a hundred thousand successes
according to our own will and pleasure.
--St. Vincent de Paul

How much, in the midst of all his disasters, did holy Job merit before
God by his "Dominus dedit, Dominus abstulit--The Lord hath given, and
the Lord hath taken away."

( "A Year with the Saints". December: Union)