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Also known
as: John Cantius; John Kantius; John of Kanti; John of Kenti
Profile
Polish country lad. Brilliant student at the University of Krakow, Poland.
Priest. Professor of theology at University of Krakow.
Falsely accused and ousted by university rivals, at age 41 he was assigned
as parish priest at Olkusz, Bohemia. He took his position seriously, and
was terrified of the responsibility, but did his best. For a long time
that wasn’t enough for his parishioners, but in the end he won their
hearts. After several years in his parish, he returned to Krakow and
taught Scripture the rest of his life.
John was a serious, humble man, generous to a fault with the poor,
sleeping little, eating no meat and little of anything else. Pilgrim to
Jerusalem, hoping to be martyred by Turks. He made four pilgrimages to
Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When warned to look after his
health, he pointed out that the early desert fathers lived long lives in
conditions that had nothing to recommend them but the presence of God.
At the time of his death, John was so well loved that his veneration began
immediately. For years his doctoral gown was worn by graduates receiving
advanced degrees at the University of Krakow. He was declared patron of
Poland and Lithuania in 1737 by Pope Clement XII, thirty years before his
final canonization.
Born: 23 June 1390 at Kanty, Silesia, Poland
Died: 24 December 1473 at Krakow, Poland, of natural causes
Canonized: 1767 by Pope Clement XIII
Patronage: Lithuania, Poland
Representation: in a professor's gown with his arm around the
shoulder of a young student whose gaze he directs towards heaven; giving
his garments to the poor
Reading
Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love.
Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause.
-Saint John of Kanty
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj82.htm |
