St. John of Kanty

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Feastday: December 23

The people of Olkusz in Bohemia in 1431 had every reason to be suspicious of their new pastor. They knew what a Cracow professor would think of their small rural town. But even more insulting, their town was once again being used as a dumping ground for a priest who was "in disgrace."

John had indeed been kicked out of his university position -- unjustly. Rivals who resented John's popularity with the students had cooked up a false charge against him. John was not even allowed to appear at his own hearing or testify in his own defense. So at age 41, he was shipped off to be an apprentice pastor.

Certainly no one would have blamed John if he was furious at such injustice. However, he was determined that his new parishioners would not suffer because of what he happened to him.

But there was no overnight miracle waiting of him in Olkusz. He was nervous and afraid of his new responsibilities. And, despite the energy he put into his new job, the parishioners remained hostile. But John's plan was very simple, and came not from the mind but from the heart. He let his genuine interest and concern for these people show in everything he did. Despite working for years without any sign of success, he was very careful not to demonstrate impatience or anger. He knew that people could never be bullied into love, so he gave them what he hoped they would find in themselves.

After eight years, he was exonerated and transferred back to Cracow. He had been so successful that these once-hostile people followed him several miles down the road, begging him to stay.

For the rest of his life, he was professor of sacred Scripture at the university. He was so well-liked that he was often invited to dinner with nobility. Once, he was turned away at the door by a servant who thought John's cassock was too frayed. John didn't argue but went home, changed into a new cassock, and returned. During the meal, a servant spilled a dish on John's new clothes. "No matter," he joked. "My clothes deserve some dinner, too. If it hadn't been for them I wouldn't be here at all."

Once John was sitting down to dinner when he saw a beggar walk by outside. He jumped up immediately, ran out, and gave the beggar the food in his bowl. He asked no questions, made no demands. He just saw someone in need and helped with what he had.

John taught his students this philosophy again and again, "Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause."

In His Footsteps:

John put all his effort into a new and frightening job, that others might have considered beneath him. Today do something you have never done before or do something in a new way, perhaps something that has frightened you or you felt was beneath you. This can be something as simple as trying a different type of prayer or as complex as serving others in a new way.

Prayer:

Saint John of Kanty, you were unjustly fired from your work. Please pray for those who are jobless or in danger of losing their jobs that they may find work that is fulfilling in every way. Guide us to ways to help those looking for work. Amen

from Wikipedia

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1 - 14 of 14 Comments

Joseph Mathew
4 months ago
St. John of Kanty, I am still grappling with my bad temper, which invariably reflects my own pride. Please pray for me to get over this bad habit.
Mona
4 months ago
Please pray for Jacob that he finds the right path, for his mother that the doctors can slow the progression of her disease and for all cancer patients that we deal with our disease with grace and dignity. Thank you.
general usmc acmf sas usnf ****
4 months ago
23rd dec 2012:st john of kanty pray for us!
Joseph Mathew
1 year ago
As St. John of Kanty has said, " Harshness damages one's own soul." It is very true, but difficult to practice. St. John, please pray for me.
Sosorry
1 year ago
"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 words ring loud and clear.

I am greatly flawed. Complete undrstanding of huManity remains incomplete and I fear I may have upset a brilliant kind soul. I do not know where or how to apologize for what I am unsure of...forgive me for what ever it is that I have or may have done to offend. I am truly sorry.
Allan Stairs
1 year ago
I was struck by his true and original Charity -- his true love for those who called out to him for help. A priest I know was like him : (he still exists -- but in Heaven ) He always tried to find the reason for saying yes to a request rather than doing what we often do : try our best to find the reason why we think it is impossible to grant it ( in cases, of course, where in fact it is quite possible to do ).
Peter Hoppa
1 year ago
I prayed to St. John of Kanty this day as it is the 28th anniversary of my Dad's death; my Dad was a very loving and good man and I still miss him very much. Also to mention that I was fired from my job of 26 year in 2010 the day I returned from my sister's funeral with no reason given. I applied for a job just last evening that looks promising; maybe St. John had something to do with that! Happy Holidays to all!
Christie
1 year ago
St. John of Kanty, truly this is the first time I hear of your saintly life of love, patience and devotion. Pray for us dear saint on your feast-day. We are preparing for the coming of Infant Jesus, God made man. May we improve in our prayer life, and help us to get rid of habitual bad temper, impatience, suspicions, and scrupulosity. Mary dear Mother pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Infant Jesus, You are patron of all Infant Jesus schools around the world, I commend to Your loving care all my students, May they improve and fare brilliantly in all areas of school life. Amen
Joseph Mathew
2 years ago
" Fight all error, but do it with humour, patience and love. Harshness will damage your own soul, and damage the best cause'. St. John of Kanty, please help me to be patient, kind and sympathetic at all times.
joliethinks
2 years ago
One of the better articles about a sain on this site. Thank you, I know sometimes detailed inforation on some of our saints is sketchy and vague. But when you all have enough info, you share it with the rest of us. Blessed Be!!
Brendan
2 years ago
Wow, never knew anything about this Saint. He seemed like a very down to earth person. I really liked his Christian philosophy too - this was what many took a liking to as well.
arslaan manzoor
2 years ago
my name is arslaan.i live in pakistan. i am also a catholic.i want to join your ministry.
i also want to help the poor people.i hope you understand
Salome
3 years ago
Very helpful, even shared it with friends who also found it helpful.
Ewere
4 years ago
I love this saint. His patience and love.

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