Saint Jean de Kenty
Prêtre à Cracovie
(Pologne) + 1473)
Né à Kenty en Silésie, il
enseigna la théologie à Cracovie et eut un grand rayonnement évangélique par
son savoir, sa charité et son esprit de pénitence. Il fut un temps curé de
paroisse, mais il trouva la responsabilité pastorale auprès des fidèles comme
dépassant ses capacités et il préféra retourner à l'enseignement. Il fut un
grand bienfaiteur des pauvres, vivant lui-même très pauvrement parce qu'il leur
donnait tout ce qu'il recevait.
Mémoire de saint Jean de
Kenty, prêtre. Après son ordination, il fut chargé d’enseigner à l’université
de Cracovie, mais son succès comme professeur et prédicateur attira des
oppositions et il fut nommé curé d’Oskuz, paroisse proche de Cracovie. Rappelé
quelques années après à l’université, il y enseigna l’Écriture sainte, jusqu’à
la fin de ses jours. Joignant une foi droite à une vie vertueuse, il se montra,
pour ses collaborateurs et ses disciples, un modèle de piété et de charité
envers le prochain. Il passa aux joies du ciel la veille de Noël 1473.
Martyrologe romain
Saint Jean de Kenty
Prêtre
(1397-1473)
Saint Jean de Kenty
naquit en Pologne, et dut aux soins que prirent ses vieux parents de lui donner
une bonne éducation l'avantage précieux de passer sa vie dans l'innocence. Ses
études terminées, il fut professeur à l'université de Cracovie pendant
plusieurs années, et, tout en enseignant la science, il profitait de toutes les
occasions d'inspirer la piété à ses élèves par ses exemples, et par ses
discours.
Ordonné prêtre, il montra
un zèle de plus en plus ardent pour sa perfection et pour la gloire de Dieu; il
était profondément affligé de voir Dieu si peu connu et si mal servi par un
grand nombre de chrétiens.
Il avait une très grande
dévotion à Jésus crucifié, et l'on raconte qu'un crucifix, devant lequel il
priait souvent, lui parla plusieurs fois. Ayant quitté le professorat pour une
cure, il se donna tout entier au bien de son troupeau. Rien ne lui paraissait
trop pénible pour le salut des âmes; il joignait à la prédication la prière
assidue et la mortification pour les pécheurs. Père de ses paroissiens, il
dépensait toutes ses ressources au services des pauvres; il donna parfois
jusqu'à ses habits et à ses chaussures.
Un matin qu'il se rendait
à l'église, Jean rencontre un mendiant couché sur la neige, grelottant de
froid; le bon pasteur se dépouille de son manteau, le conduit au presbytère
pour le soigner et le combler de ses bontés. Peu après, la Sainte Vierge lui
apparut et lui rendit le manteau.
Épouvanté par les
responsabilités du ministère paroissial, le saint curé obtint de son évêque de
redevenir professeur; il se signala de plus en plus, dans ces fonctions, par sa
mortification et sa piété, et renonça pour le reste de sa vie à l'usage de la
viande. Un jour qu'il était vivement tenté d'en manger, il en fit rôtir un morceau,
le plaça tout brûlant sur ses mains, et dit: "O chair, tu aimes la chair,
jouis-en à ton aise." Il fut délivré sur le coup de cette tentation pour
toujours.
Dans un pèlerinage à
Rome, il fut dévalisé par des brigands: "Avez-vous encore autre chose? lui
dirent-ils. – Non," répondit Jean. Ils le laissèrent partir; mais, se
souvenant bientôt qu'il avait quelques pièces d'or cousues en son vêtement, il
courut après eux pour les leur offrir. Confus, ils lui rendirent tout ce qu'ils
lui avaient pris. Jean de Kenty fut illustre par ses miracles: il est un des
principaux Patrons de la Pologne.
Abbé L. Jaud, Vie
des Saints pour tous les jours de l'année, Tours, Mame, 1950
SOURCE : http://magnificat.ca/cal/fr/saints/saint_jean_de_kenty.html
SAINT JEAN DE KENTY
Mort le 24 décembre 1473.
Canonisé en 1767, fête en 1770. Ce saint professeur, qui a démontré que les
fonctions d’un universitaire ne sont en rien incompatibles avec la profession
de la perfection chrétienne, a droit à une messe entièrement propre (sauf
l’évangile).
Leçons des Matines (avant
1960)
Quatrième leçon. Jean
naquit au bourg de Kenty, dans le diocèse de Cracovie, et fut pour cela
surnommé Cantius. Ses parents, pieux et honnêtes, se nommaient Stanislas et
Anne. Dès son enfance, la gravité, la douceur et l’innocence de ses mœurs
firent concevoir l’espérance qu’il parviendrait à un haut degré de vertu. Il
étudia la philosophie et la théologie à l’Université de Cracovie et passa par
tous les grades académiques. Docteur et professeur pendant plusieurs années, il
éclairait l’esprit de ses auditeurs par la doctrine sacrée qu’il leur exposait,
et les enflammait d’ardeur pour toute sorte de bien, et cela par ses exemples
aussi bien que par son enseignement. Devenu Prêtre, il s’appliqua davantage à
la perfection chrétienne, sans négliger aucunement l’étude des lettres. Autant
il déplorait avec amertume que Dieu fût partout offensé, autant il s’efforçait
de détourner sa colère de lui-même et du peuple, en offrant chaque jour, avec
abondance de larmes, le Sacrifice non sanglant de l’autel. Il gouverna parfaitement,
pendant quelques années, la paroisse d’Ilkusi ; mais, troublé à la vue du péril
des âmes, il quitta cette paroisse et, l’académie le demandant, il se remit à
enseigner.
Cinquième leçon. Tout e
temps que l’étude lui laissait, il le consacrait, soit à procurer le salut du
prochain, surtout par la prédication, soit à prier. On rapporte que, dans
l’exercice de l’oraison, il lui arriva quelquefois d’être favorisé de visions
et d’entretiens célestes. La passion du Christ le touchait à ce point, qu’il
passait parfois des nuits entières à la méditer, et que, pour se la retracer
plus vivement, il fit le pèlerinage de Jérusalem. Là, enflammé du désir du
martyre, il ne craignit pas de prêcher, aux Turcs eux-mêmes, le Christ
crucifié. Il se rendit quatre fois à Rome, au tombeau des saints Apôtres,
faisant la route à pied et chargé lui-même de ce qu’il lui fallait pour le
voyage. Le saint y allait tant pour honorer le Siège apostolique, auquel il
était extrêmement dévoué, que pour diminuer, disait-il, les peines de son
purgatoire, grâce à la rémission des péchés offerte là, chaque jour, aux
fidèles. Au cours de ce voyage, des voleurs le dévalisèrent et lui demandèrent
ensuite s’il avait encore autre chose ; Jean ne se souvint pas de quelques
pièces d’or, cousues dans son manteau, et répondit qu’il ne lui restait plus
rien. Déjà les voleurs s’enfuyaient, lorsqu’il se mit à crier pour les leur
offrir aussi ; mais, admirant sa simplicité et sa bonté, ils lui rendirent
spontanément ce qu’ils lui avaient pris. Pour qu’on ne blessât point la
réputation du prochain, il fit, à l’exemple de saint Augustin, graver des vers
sur la muraille de sa demeure, comme un perpétuel avertissement pour lui-même
et pour ceux qui le visitaient. Les pauvres qui souffraient de la faim, il les
nourrissait des mets de sa table ; ceux qui n’avaient pas de vêtements, il leur
en achetait et il quittait même ses habits et ses chaussures pour les leur
donner ; alors il laissait tomber son manteau jusqu’à terre, pour qu’on ne le
vît pas rentrer pieds nus chez lui.
Sixième leçon. Il dormait peu, et par terre ; comme vêtement, comme nourriture, il n’avait que ce qu’il faut pour couvrir le corps et soutenir les forces. Un dur cilice, les flagellations et le jeûne, furent les moyens par lesquels il garda sa virginité, comme un lis au milieu des épines. Bien plus, pendant environ les trente-cinq dernières années de sa vie, il s’abstint constamment de l’usage de la viande. Enfin, plein de jours et de mérites, après s’être longtemps et soigneusement préparé à la mort, dont il pressentait l’approche, il distribua aux pauvres tout ce qu’il pouvait encore avoir chez lui, afin qu’aucune chose ne le retînt plus. Puis, saintement muni des sacrements de l’Église, « désirant d’être dissous et d’être avec Jésus-Christ, » il s’envola dans le ciel, en la veille de Noël, et fut illustre par d’éclatants miracles, après sa mort comme pendant sa vie. Dès qu’il eut rendu l’esprit, on le porta dans l’église de Sainte-Anne, voisine de l’Université, et on l’y ensevelit avec honneur. La vénération du peuple et le concours à son tombeau s’étant accrus de jour en jour, on l’honore très religieusement comme un des principaux patrons de la Pologne et de la Lithuanie. De nouveaux miracles ayant ajouté à sa gloire, le souverain Pontife Clément XIII l’a solennellement inscrit au nombre des Saints, le dix-septième jour dés calendes d’août, de l’an mil sept cent soixante-sept.
SOURCE : http://www.introibo.fr/20-10-St-Jean-de-Kenty-confesseur
St.
Jan Kanty statue in Collegium Maius Krakow
_(2014-05-23_13.28.10_by_mik_Krakow).jpg)
St.
Jan Kanty statue in Collegium Maius Krakow
SAINT JEAN DE KENTY,
CONFESSEUR.
Kenty, l’humble village
de Silésie qui donna naissance au Saint de ce jour, lui doit d'être connu en
tous lieux pour jamais. Retardée par mille obstacles, la canonisation du
bienheureux prêtre dont la science et les vertus avaient, au XV° siècle,
illustré l'université de Cracovie, fut la dernière joie, le dernier espoir de
la Pologne expirante. Elle eut lieu en l'année 1767. Déjà deux ans plus tôt,
c'était sur les instances de l'héroïque nation que Clément XIII avait rendu le
premier décret sanctionnant la célébration de la fête du Sacré-Cœur. En
inscrivant Jean de Kenty parmi les Saints, le magnanime Pontife exprimait en
termes émus la reconnaissance de l'Eglise pour l'infortuné peuple, et lui
rendait devant l'Europe odieusement oublieuse un hommage suprême (Bulla
canonizationis). Cinq ans après, la Pologne était démembrée.
Lisons le récit
liturgique de la fête.
Le nom de Kenty vint à
Jean du lieu de sa naissance, au diocèse de Cracovie. Stanislas et Anne, ses
parents, étaient pieux et de condition honorable. La douceur, l'innocence, le
sérieux de l'enfant donnèrent dès l'abord l'espérance pour lui des plus grandes
vertus. Etudiant de philosophie et de théologie en l'université de Cracovie, il
parcourut tous les grades académiques, et, devenu professeur et docteur à son
tour, enseigna longtemps la science sacrée ; son enseignement n'éclairait pas
seulement les âmes, mais les portait à toute piété; car il enseignait à la fois
de parole et d'exemple. Devenu prêtre, sans rien relâcher de son zèle pour
l'étude, il s'attacha plus encore que par le passé aux pratiques de la perfection
chrétienne. L'offense de Dieu, qu'il rencontrait partout, le transperçait de
douleur; tous les jours, pour apaiser le Seigneur et se le rendre propice à
lui-même ainsi qu'au peuple fidèle, il offrait le sacrifice non sanglant avec
beaucoup de larmes. Il administra exemplairement quelques années la paroisse
d'Ilkusi ; mais effrayé du péril de la charge des âmes, il s'en démit et, sur
la demande de l'université, reprit sa chaire.
Tout ce qui lui restait
de temps sur l'étude était consacré soit au salut du prochain, principalement
dans le ministère de la prédication, soit à l'oraison, où l'on dit qu'il était
quelquefois favorisé de visions et d'entretiens célestes. La passion de
Jésus-Christ s'emparait à tel point de son âme, qu'il passait à la contempler
des nuits entières ; il fit, pour s'en mieux pénétrer, le pèlerinage de
Jérusalem, ne craignant pas, dans son désir brûlant du martyre, de prêcher aux
Turcs eux-mêmes le Christ crucifié. Il fit aussi quatre fois le voyage de Rome,
marchant à pied et portant son bagage, pour visiter les tombeaux des Apôtres,
où l'attiraient son dévouement, sa vénération pour le Siège apostolique, et
aussi, disait-il, son désir de se libérer du purgatoire par la facilité qu'on y
trouve à toute heure de racheter ses péchés. Ce fut dans un de ces voyages que,
dépouillé par les brigands et leur ayant sur interpellation déclaré qu'il n
avait plus rien, il se ressouvint de quelques pièces d'or cousues dans son
manteau, et rappela en criant les voleurs qui fuyaient pour les leur donner;
mais ceux-ci, admirant la candeur du Saint et sa générosité, lui rendirent
d'eux-mêmes tout ce qu'ils avaient pris. Il voulut, comme saint Augustin, avoir
perpétuellement gravé sur la muraille l'avertissement pour lui et les autres de
respecter la réputation du prochain. Il nourrissait de sa table ceux qui
avaient faim ; il donnait à ceux qui étaient nus non seulement les habits qu'il
achetait dans ce but, mais ses propres vêtements et chaussures, faisant alors
en sorte de laisser tomber son manteau jusqu'à terre pour qu'on ne s'aperçût
pas qu'il revenait nu-pieds à la maison.
Son sommeil était court,
et il le prenait par terre ; il n'avait d'habits qu'assez pour se couvrir; il
ne mangeait que pour ne pas mourir de faim. Un dur cilice, la discipline, les
jeûnes étaient ses moyens de garder sa virginale pureté comme le lis entre les
épines. Il s'abstint même absolument de chair en ses repas durant environ les
trente-cinq années qui précédèrent sa mort. Plein de jours et de mérites, il
sentit enfin l'approche de cette mort à laquelle il s'était si longtemps, si
diligemment préparé; et, dans la crainte d'être retenu par quoi que ce fût de
la terre, il distribua aux pauvres, sans nulle réserve, tout ce qui pouvait lui
rester. Alors, religieusement muni des sacrements de l'Eglise, ne désirant plus
que de voir se rompre ses liens pour être avec Jésus-Christ, il s'envola au
ciel la veille de Noël. Les miracles qui l'avaient illustré pendant sa vie
continuèrent après sa mort. On porta son corps à Sainte-Anne, l'église de
l'université, voisine du lieu où il avait rendu l'âme, et on l'y ensevelit avec
honneur. Le temps ne fit qu'accroître la vénération du peuple et le concours à
son tombeau ; la Pologne et la Lithuanie saluèrent et honorèrent en lui l'un de
leurs patrons principaux. De nouveaux miracles éclatant toujours, Clément XIII,
Souverain Pontife, l'inscrivit solennellement dans les fastes des Saints, le
dix-sept des calendes d'août de l'année mil sept cent soixante-sept.
L'Eglise ne cesse point
de vous dire toujours, et nous vous disons avec la même indomptable espérance :
« O vous qui jamais ne refusâtes de secourir personne, prenez en mains la cause
du royaume où vous naquîtes; c'est la demande de vos concitoyens de Pologne,
c'est la prière de ceux-là même qui ne sont pas de leur nombre (Hymne des
Matines de la fête). » La trahison dont fut victime votre malheureuse patrie
n'a point cessé de peser lourdement sur l'Europe déséquilibrée. Combien, hélas
! d'autres poids écrasants sont venus s'entasser depuis dans la balance des
justices du Seigneur ! O Jean, enseignez-nous à l'alléger du moins de nos
fautes personnelles ; c'est en marchant à votre suite dans la voie des vertus,
que nous mériterons l'indulgence du ciel (Collecte) et avancerons l'heure des
grandes réparations.
Dom Guéranger. L'Année liturgique
SOURCE : http://www.abbaye-saint-benoit.ch/gueranger/anneliturgique/pentecote/pentecote05/054.htm
Church
of the Visitation of Virgin Mary, sanctuary of Virgin Mary of Tuchów
S. Jean de Kenty, prêtre.
Jean de Kenty
(1390-1473), prêtre polonais, enseigna la philosophie et la théologie à
l'université de Cracovie. Le professeur rayonnait par son savoir, mais plus
encore par sa charité pour les pauvres et son esprit de pénitence. Persuadé de
la valeur spirituelle du pèlerinage, il alla vénérer le tombeau du Christ à
Jérusalem et se rendit quatre fois à Rome.
CLÉMENT XIII - POUR LA
CANONISATION
Parmi les hommes éminents
par la doctrine et la sainteté, capables d'agir et d'enseigner et de défendre
la foi orthodoxe attaquée par ses adversaires, personne n'hésite à compter le
bienheureux Jean de Kenty. Il suffit de l'avoir entendu, à l'université de
Cracovie, enseigner une science puisée à la source la plus pure. Or, à cette
époque, dans des régions guère éloignées, sévissaient les schismes et les
hérésies. Il travaillait à expliquer au peuple, dans sa prédication, la morale
la plus sainte; et il confirmait cet enseignement par son humilité, sa
chasteté, sa miséricorde, ses pénitences corporelles, toutes les vertus d'un
prêtre irréprochable et d'un vaillant ouvrier. C'est pourquoi il ne se contenta
pas d'apporter aux professeurs de cette université un surcroît de prestige,
mais il laissa aussi un merveilleux exemple à tous ceux qui exercent cette
charge. Qu'ils s'efforcent énergiquement d'être de parfaits enseignants et
qu'ils travaillent de toutes leurs forces à unir la science des~saints à leurs
autres compétences, pour la louange et la gloire de Dieu seul. Il ajoutait
l'humilité au respect avec lequel il traitait des choses divines. Ayant une
modeste opinion de lui-même, malgré sa supériorité scientifique incontestable,
il ne se mettait jamais au-dessus des autres; il souhaitait même être dédaigné
et méprisé par tous; rien ne lui était plus étranger que de montrer de
l'impatience envers ceux qui le contredisaient ou le méprisaient. Son humilité
s'accompagnait d'une rare simplicité, digne d'un enfant; aussi, dans ses
actions et ses paroles, il n'y avait aucun artifice, aucun faux semblant; ce
qu'il avait au fond du coeur venait facilement sur ses lèvres. S'il
soupçonnait, en ayant dit la vérité, avoir blessé quelqu'un par ses paroles,
avant de monter à l'autel il demandait humblement pardon, non pas tant pour son
erreur que pour celle de l'autre. Dans la journée, après avoir accompli sa
tâche, il se rendait directement de l'école à l'église. Et là, devant le Christ
caché dans l'Eucharistie, il prolongeait sa contemplation et sa prière. Dieu
seul occupait tout son coeur, Dieu seul était sur ses lèvres.
Partager son pain avec
l'affamé, voilà le jeûne qui plaît à Dieu.
Ouvre ton coeur au
pauvre: c'est ton frère. Et si tu cries, le Seigneur répondra à tes appels, il
dira: Me voici! Ouvre ton coeur au pauvre: c'est ton frère.
Et quand le Fils de
l'homme viendra, il te dira: J'avais faim et tu m'as donné à manger.
A l'amour que vous aurez
les uns pour les autres, on reconnaîtra que vous êtes mes disciples. Venez les
bénis de mon Père: ce que vous avez fait à l'un de ces petits, c'est à moi que
vous l'avez fait.
Accorde-nous, Dieu
tout-puissant, de progresser dans l'intelligence de ton mystère, à l'exemple de
saint Jean de Kenty, et de trouver auprès de toi le pardon, pour avoir pratiqué
la charité envers tous.
SOURCE : http://casimir.kuczaj.free.fr/Francais/Les%20Saints/jean_kenty.htm
Also
known as
John Cantius
John Kantius
John of Kanti
John of Kenti
24
December (Krakow; formerly throughout Poland)
15
December (Ambrosian Rite)
formerly 19
October
formerly 20
October
Profile
Polish country
lad. Brilliant student at the University of Cracow, Poland. Priest. Professor of theology at University of Cracow.
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 Cracow 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 Cracow.
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
24
December 1473 at Cracow, Poland,
of natural causes
Name
Meaning
God is gracious; gift of
God (John)
28
March 1676 by Pope Clement
X (cultus
confirmed)
16
July 1767 by Pope Clement
XIII
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
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
books
Our
Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
Catholic
Online, by Terry Metz
Christian
Biographies, by James E Keifer
Saint
John Cantius Parish, Chicago, Illinois,
USA
images
video
sitios
en español
Martirologio
Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
nettsteder
i norsk
Readings
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
MLA
Citation
“Saint John of
Kanty“. CatholicSaints.Info. 21 August 2020. Web. 23 December 2020.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-of-kanty/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-of-kanty/
Pomnik
Jana Kantego (Kaplica św. Jana Kantego) w Kętach
St. John Cantius
St. John Cantius is
the patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims. St. John
Cantius was born in the small southern Polish town of Kanty, only thirteen
miles from the Pope John Paul II’s birthplace, 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 Sepulcher 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 know 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 need
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 December 24, 1473, the people of Krakow already considered
him a very holy man. That his opinion was wholly justified can be evidenced by
the numerous favors and miracles attributed to John’s intercession beginning
immediately following his death. Before long, John from Kanty became know
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. (October
20th feast day pre-1970)
Throughout, his many
years in Krakow, our philosopher Pontiff , Pope John Paul II 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.”
SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/st-john-cantius/
St. John Cantius
Born at Kenty, near
Oswiecim, Diocese of Krakow, Poland,
1412 (or 1403); died at Krakow,
1473, and was buried there under the church of
St. Anne; his feast is
on 20 October. He was the son
of Stanislaus and Anne who were pious country
people; he received his primary education at
his native town, and then being sent by his parents to
the Academy of Krakow, he soon impressed his professors and colleagues with his
pleasant and amiable disposition; always happy,
but serious, humble,
and godly, he won the hearts of all who came in contact with him. Having made
excellent progress in the study of philosophical and theological sciences,
he was graduated first as bachelor,
then as master and doctor, was ordained priest and
then appointed professor of theology at
the Academy of Krakow, from where he was sent, after a short time, by his
superiors to Olkusz, Diocese of Krakow, to be parish priest.
Being afraid of the great responsibility of parish work,
he very soon left the parish,
and was again appointed professor of Sacres Scripture at the
Academy of Krakow, which position he held without interruption until his death.
As testified by Michael Miechowita, the medieval Polish historian
and the saint's first
biographer, extreme humility and charity were
conspicuous in his life; he took as his motto:
Conturbare cave: non est
placare suave,
Infamare cave; nam
revocare grave.
He distributed to
the poor all the money and clothes he had, retaining only what was
absolutely necessary to
support himself. He slept but little, and on the floor, ate very sparingly, and
was a total abstainer from meat after he became a doctor. He
made one pilgrimage to Jerusalem with
the desire of becoming a martyr among
the Turks,
and four pilgrimages to Rome on
foot. During his life he performed various miracles,
which were multiplied after his death at his tomb.
He was canonized by Clement
XIII in 1767. The Roman
Breviary distinguishes him with three hymns;
he is the only confessor not a bishop who
is thus honoured.
Godrycz, John. "St.
John Cantius." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York:
Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 23 Dec.
2015 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08451b.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Joseph P. Thomas. In memory of
Mrs. Jean Chadwickwas.
Ecclesiastical
approbation. Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, S.T.D.,
Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2020 by Kevin
Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08451b.htm
Ojców,
figura św. Jana Kantego w parku zamkowym
John Cantius (of Kanty,
Kanti, Kenty) (RM)
Born June 23, 1390, at Kanti (Kenty near Oswiecim), Silesia, Poland; died
December 24, 1473, in Kracow, Poland; declared the patron saint of Poland and
Lithuania by Pope Clement XII in 1737; canonized by Pope Clement XIII in 1767;
feast day formerly October 20.
Even as a rural boy, John
showed a tendency to be a bookworm, so his parents sent him to the University
of Cracow to study. He graduated, was ordained, and then was appointed lecturer
in Sacred Scripture at the university.
He became famed for his
teaching but was forced from his position by jealous associates and became a
parish priest at Olkusz. John was not happy as a parochial vicar; nor were his
parishioners entirely happy with him. He was fearful of the responsibility of
the care of souls, and missed his beloved academic life. Nevertheless, his fear
led him to work harder than he might have otherwise to compensate for his
imagined inadequacies. When he was recalled to the university as a professor
eight years later, his parishioners wept to see him go.
With relish he returned
to Cracow as professor of Scripture, a position he held until his death. He was
noted for his scholarship, learning, and austerities, as well as for instilling
in his students the need for moderation and good manners in controversy. So
great was his fame that long after his death candidates for higher degree at
Cracow University were dressed in his old gown.
What also astonished his
contemporaries was his complete devotion to poverty and charity. He led a life
so strict and austere that acquaintances warned him to be careful of his
health. He shared all his earnings with the poor. He gave away virtually
everything he possessed. He needed little. He never ate meat. He used the floor
for a bed. He walked everywhere--even as far as Rome for his four pilgrimages
to that city--and carried his own luggage.
John lived for God and
others. As he lay dying, he comforted the grieving. When he died at age 74,
John was already greatly venerated. His cultus is still active in Poland today.
He was so respected that his doctoral gown was used for many years to vest each
candidate when a degree was conferred. Miracles were attributed to him before
and after his death (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Encyclopedia,
White).
St. John is pictured in a
doctor's gown, his arm around the shoulder of a young student, whose gaze he
directs towards heaven (Roeder); or he may be portrayed giving his garments to
the poor (White).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/1223.shtml
Altar
Saint John Cantius, San Stanislao dei Polacchi, Rome
Pictorial
Lives of the Saints – Saint John Cantius
Saint John was born at
Kenty in Poland in 1403, and studied at Cracow with great ability, industry,
and success, while his modesty and virtue drew all hearts to him. He was, for a
short time, in charge of a parish; but he shrank from the burden of
responsibility, and returned to his life of professor at Cracow. There, for
many years, he lived a life of unobtrusive virtue, selfdenial, and charity. His
love for the Holy See led him often in pilgrimage to Rome, on foot and alone,
and his devotion to the Passion drew him once to Jerusalem, where he hoped to
win a martyr’s crown by preaching to the Turks. He died in 1473, at the age of
seventy.
Reflection – He who
orders all his doings according to the will of God, may often be spoken of by
the world as simple and stupid; but, in the end, he wins the esteem and
confidence of the world itself, and the approval and peace of God.
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/pictorial-lives-of-the-saints-saint-john-cantius/
Witraż
św. Jana Kantego w archikatedrze św. Jana Chrzciciela we Wrocławiu
SAINT JOHN CANTIUS,
CONFESSOR
Posted at
13:03h in Saints by Editor
Staff
October 20
Today is the feast day of
Saint John Cantius. Ora pro nobis.
The Importance of
Religious Instruction
“What kind of work can be
more noble than to cultivate the minds of young people, guarding it carefully,
so that the knowledge and love of God and His holy precepts go hand-in-hand
with learning? To form young Christians and citizens, isn’t this the most
beautiful and noble minded way to make use of life, of all one’s talents and
energy?”–St. John Cantius
Saint John was born at
Kenty in Poland in 1403.
ST. JOHN CANTIUS,
CONFESSOR
FROM THE LITURGICAL YEAR,
1903
Kenty, the humble
village of Silesia which witnessed the birth of St. John, owes its celebrity
entirely to him. The canonization of this holy priest, who in the fifteenth
century had illustrated the University of Cracow by his virtues and science,
was the last hope of expiring Poland. It took place in the year 1767. Two years
earlier, it was at the request of this heroic nation that Clement XIII. had
issued the first decree sanctioning the celebration of the feast of the Sacred
Heart. When enrolling John Cantius among the Saints, the magnanimous Pontiff
expressed in moving terms the gratitude of the Church towards that unfortunate
people; and rendered to it, before shamefully forgetful Europe, a supreme
homage (Bulla canonizationis). Five years later Poland was dismembered.
John was born at Kenty, a
town in the diocese of Cracow; and hence his surname Cantius. His parents were
pious and honourable persons, by name Stanislaus and Anna. From his very
infancy, his sweetness of disposition, innocence, and gravity, gave promise of
very great virtue. He studied philosophy and theology at the University of
Cracow, and taking all his degrees proceeded professor and doctor. He taught
sacred science for many years, enlightening the minds of his pupils and
enkindling in them the flame of piety, no less by his deeds than by his words.
When he was ordained priest, he relaxed nothing of his zeal for study, but
increased his ardor for Christian perfection. Grieving exceedingly over the
offences everywhere committed against God, he strove to make satisfaction on
his own behalf and that of the people, by daily offering the unbloody Sacrifice
with many tears. For several years he had charge of the parish of Ukusi, which
he administered in an exemplary manner; but, fearing the responsibility of the
cure of souls, he resigned his post; and, at the request of the University,
resumed the professor’s chair.
Whatever time remained
over from his studies, he devoted partly to the good of his neighbour, especially
by holy preaching; partly to prayer, in which he is said to have been sometimes
favoured with heavenly visions and communications. He was so affected by the
Passion of Christ, that he would spend whole nights without sleep, in the
contemplation of it; and in order the better to cultivate this devotion, he
undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. While there, in his eagerness for
martyrdom he boldly preached Christ crucified even to the Turks. Four times he
went to Rome on foot, and carrying his own baggage, to visit the threshold of
the Apostles; in order to honor the Apostolic See to which he was earnestly
devoted, and also (as he used to say), to save himself from Purgatory by means
of the indulgences there daily to be gained. On one of these journeys he was
robbed by brigands. When asked by them whether he had anything more, he replied
in the negative; but afterwards remembering that he had some gold pieces sowed
in his cloak, he called back the robbers, who had taken to flight, and offered
them the money. Astonished at the holy man’s sincerity and generosity, they
restored all they had taken from him.
After St. Augustine’s
example, he had verses inscribed on the walls in his house, warning others, as
well as himself, to respect the reputation of their neighbors. He fed the
hungry from his own table; and clothed the naked not only with garments bought
for the purpose, but even with his own clothes and shoes; on these occasions he
would lower his cloak to the ground, so as not to be seen walking home barefoot.
He took very little sleep, and that on the ground. His clothing was only
sufficient to cover him, and his food to keep him alive. He preserved his
virginal purity, like a lily among thorns, by using a rough hair-shirt,
disciplines, and fasting; and for about thirty-five years before his death, he
abstained entirely from flesh-meat. At length, full of days and of merits, he
prepared himself long and diligently for death, which he felt drawing near; and
that nothing might be a hindrance to him, he distributed all that remained in
his house to the poor. Then, strengthened with the Sacraments of the Church,
and desiring to be dissolved and to be with Christ, he passed to heaven on
Christmas Eve. He worked many miracles both in life and after death. His body
was carried to St. Anne’s, the church of the University, and there honorably
interred. The people’s veneration for the saint, and the crowds visiting his
tomb, increased daily; and he is honored as one of the chief patrons of Poland
and Lithuania. As new miracles continued to be wrought, Pope Clement XIII.
solemnly enrolled him among the Saints, on the seventeenth of the Kalends of
August, in the year 1767. (1)
Before his death, he gave
absolutely everything he still had to the poor. He died in 1473, at the age of
seventy-six years. The purple robe which he had worn as a Doctor was
religiously conserved and always given to the venerable Head of the School of
Philosophy on the day of his reception; and a promise was required of the
teachers there, to imitate the virtues of this beloved Saint. He is a patron of
both Poland and Lithuania; Clement XIII canonized him in 1767.
SOURCE : https://www.reginamag.com/saint-john-cantius-confessor/
Church
of St. Anne, grave of St John Cantius , 13 sw. Anny street, Old Town, Krakow,
Poland
San Giovanni da Kety
(Canzio) Sacerdote
- Memoria Facoltativa
Kety, Polonia, 1390 -
Cracovia, notte di Natale, 1473
«All'Ateneo da me tanto
amato auguro la benedizione della Santissima Trinità e la perpetua protezione
di Maria, Sede della Sapienza, come anche il patrocinio fedele di san Giovanni
da Kety, suo professore più di 500 anni fa». Così durante la visita a Cracovia
del 9 giugno 1979, Giovanni Paolo II ricordò il professore santo di
quell'Università. Nato a Kety cittadina polacca a sud ovest di Cracovia nel
1390, Giovanni intraprese gli studi con risultati subito brillanti. Docente di
filosofia a 27 anni, a 34 fu ordinato sacerdote, continuando a insegnare per
alcuni anni. Ricevuto l'incarico di parroco a Olkusz, si fece ammirare come
modello di pietà e carità verso il prossimo. Nel 1440 riprese la docenza a
Cracovia contribuendo all'educazione del principe Casimiro. Morì durante la
Messa della vigilia di Natale del 1473. Docente e amico degli ultimi, la gente
prese subito a considerarlo santo ricordando le sue lezioni di amore tra i malnutriti
e i malati. È stato canonizzato da Clemente XIII nel 1767.
Etimologia: Giovanni = il
Signore è benefico, dono del Signore, dall'ebraico
Martirologio Romano: San Giovanni da Kety, sacerdote, che, ordinato sacerdote, insegnò per molti anni nell’Università di Cracovia. Ricevuto poi l’incarico della cura pastorale della parrocchia di Olkusz, aggiunse alle sue virtù la testimonianza di una fede retta e fu per i suoi collaboratori e i discepoli un modello di pietà e carità verso il prossimo. Nel giorno seguente a questo, a Cracovia in Polonia, passò ai celesti gaudi.
(24 dicembre: A Cracovia in Polonia, anniversario della morte di san Giovanni da Kety, la cui memoria si celebra il giorno prima di questo).
«All’Ateneo da me tanto amato auguro la benedizione della Santissima Trinità e la perpetua protezione di Maria, Sede della Sapienza, come anche il patrocinio fedele di san Giovanni da Kety, suo professore più di 500 anni fa». Così Giovanni Paolo II, in visita a Cracovia il 9 giugno 1979, ha ricordato il “professore santo” di quell’università. Giovanni da Kety (una cittadina polacca a sud-ovest di Cracovia), detto anche Giovanni Canzio, intraprende gli studi con risultati subito brillanti. E a 27 anni è docente di filosofia. Poi intraprende anche studi di teologia, e a 34 anni viene ordinato sacerdote, ma continua a insegnare per alcuni anni, perché questa è la sua passione. Più tardi viene inserito nel clero della collegiata di San Floriano in Cracovia: una chiesa che è stata costruita nel XII secolo in un paese ancora di campagna, poi raggiunto e assorbito dallo sviluppo della città, divenuta capitale della Polonia. Compie una breve esperienza parrocchiale in provincia e poi torna a stabilirsi nuovamente in Cracovia, risalendo sull’amata cattedra universitaria.
In qualità di precettore dei prìncipi della casa reale polacca, talvolta non poteva esimersi dal partecipare a qualche festa. mondana. Un giorno si presentò a un banchetto in abiti dimessi e venne messo alla porta da un domestico. Giovanni andò a mutarsi d'abito e tornò alla villa dove si dava il ricevimento. Questa volta poté entrare, ma durante il pranzo un malaccorto inserviente gli rovesciò un bicchiere sul vestito. Giovanni sorrise rassicurante: "E’ giusto che anche il mio abito abbia la sua parte: è grazie a lui che sono potuto entrare qui".
Ma “stabilirsi” è un’espressione impropria. Infatti il professore Giovanni ama la strada quanto la cattedra, gli affamati di sapere e gli affamati di pane. Ama la strada, poi, come “luogo” tipico dei poveri, sempre alla ricerca di un aiuto. E sul loro percorso amaro, i poveri di Cracovia incontrano spesso Giovanni il Professore; lo vedono entrare nei loro miseri rifugi, portando loro quello che spesso è necessario a lui. Ne sfama tanti, non con le ricchezze che non possiede, ma con la sua paga di insegnante e con i suoi digiuni. E poi la strada, per lui, è quella del pellegrinaggio. Il suo viaggio più lungo è quello in Terrasanta, compiuto a piedi fin dov’era possibile. Poi va pellegrino a Roma. Per quattro volte. E sempre assolutamente a piedi, andata e ritorno.
Umile camminatore e compagno di viandanti e di poveri lungo le antiche “vie” che conducono al Sud, al Paese del sole, Giovanni diventa anche il consigliere e il sostenitore dei suoi concittadini più indifesi e soli. Autorevole maestro quando siede in cattedra, gli si attribuiscono anche commenti alla Bibbia e a san Tommaso.
Ma ciò che spinge la gente di Cracovia a “gridarlo santo” dopo la morte sono le lezioni di amore che teneva lungo le strade e nelle case, tra malnutriti e ammalati. Nel 1600, papa Clemente VIII lo proclama venerabile, e il suo corpo viene più tardi trasferito nella chiesa di Sant’Anna in Cracovia. Nel 1767, papa Clemente XIII lo iscrive tra i santi. Al ricordo di Giovanni è consacrata una cappella nella chiesa di San Floriano, dove a metà del XX secolo iniziava il suo servizio di vicario parrocchiale il giovane sacerdote Karol Wojtyla.
In Polonia viene ricordato il 20 ottobre. È stato proclamato patrono
dell'arcidiocesi di Cracovia, degli insegnanti delle scuole cattoliche e della
“Caritas”.
Giovanni Canzio nasce nel 1390 in Polonia, a Kety, vicino a Cracovia. È un ragazzino intelligente e ama lo studio. Gli piace insegnare, così a ventisette anni è già docente di filosofia. Intraprende, poi, gli studi di teologia e a trentaquattro anni viene ordinato sacerdote. Alterna periodi di insegnamento, sua grande passione, con il ruolo di prete presso la Chiesa di San Floriano di Cracovia e si occupa dell’educazione del principe Casimiro della casa reale polacca. Anche un’altra realtà, però, occupa i pensieri di Giovanni: la strada, quella che ogni giorno percorre alla ricerca di poveri affamati ai quali dare cibo e parlare di Gesù. Il sacerdote scova i bisognosi nelle loro abitazioni che spesso sono misere catapecchie. Giovanni non è ricco, vive del suo stipendio di docente universitario e lo impiega per aiutare i poveri. Per guadagnare di più e comprare altri alimenti per i diseredati, svolge anche un altro lavoro molto faticoso: ricopiare manoscritti. A volte rinuncia alla propria razione di cibo per regalarla a chi non ne ha. Offre anche il proprio vestito, tanto che si narra che la Madonna gliene abbia fatto miracolosamente trovare un altro. Regala pure le scarpe che indossa e un giorno rientra a casa a piedi nudi, cercando di nasconderli con il mantello, per non farsene accorgere. Il buon insegnante affronta anche tanti pellegrinaggi in luoghi lontani, sempre a piedi, e nel tragitto aiuta e conforta i viandanti come lui. Arriva fino in Terra Santa dove parla di Gesù ai Saraceni, riuscendo a ritornare a casa sano e salvo e per quattro volte si reca a Roma. Viene considerato il protettore dei ladri che si pentono. Si ricorda, infatti, un episodio particolare: durante uno dei suoi viaggi il sacerdote viene assalito da alcuni malviventi che gli ordinano di consegnare tutti i preziosi che ha con sé. Giovanni ubbidisce, si priva del suo gruzzolo e dice di non avere null’altro, ma quando i rapinatori stanno per dileguarsi, si accorge di aver dimenticato in una tasca alcune monete. Dispiaciuto per l’involontaria bugia, insegue i malfattori per consegnare anche le monete. I ladri, stupiti da tanta bontà, si inginocchiano e chiedono perdono, restituendo la refurtiva. Giovanni da Kety muore a Cracovia nel 1473. È patrono degli insegnanti di scuole cattoliche e dell’associazione caritatevole cattolica “Caritas”.
Autore: Mariella Lentini
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/30500
Kaplica św. Jana Kantego w Kętach
St.-Johannes-Cantius-Kapelle
in Kęty
Den hellige Johannes av
Kęty (1390-1473)
Minnedag: 23.
desember
Skytshelgen for Polen og
Litauen (1737); for tyver; for lærere, studenter, prester og pilegrimer
Den hellige Johannes
Wacienga ble født den 23. juni 1390 [1403 og 1412 oppgis også som fødeår] i en
liten landsby ved Kęty (Kanty, Kenty) ved Oswiecim (Auschwitz) i bispedømmet
Kraków i Schlesien i Polen. Området var blitt annektert av keiser Karl IV (1346-78)
etter at det var oppgitt av kong Kasimir III av Polen (1333-70). Johannes
kalles oftest Johannes av Kęty (Johannes Cantius), men noen ganger Johannes av
Kraków. Hans foreldre var Stanislas og Anna fra en velstående og from landsens
familie. Han fikk sin første utdannelse i hjembyen, og foreldrene så at han var
like kvikk og intelligent som han var god, og de hadde råd til å sende ham for
å få en utdannelse ved Det jagellonske universitetet i Kraków.
Han imponerte snart sine
professorer og kollegaer med sitt vennlige og tiltalende vesen. Han var alltid
lykkelig, men alvorlig, ydmyk og god, og han vant hjertene til alle som kom i
kontakt med ham. Han gjorde det også svært godt i studiene i filosofi og
teologi, og tok først bachelor-graden og deretter mastergraden. Han ble doktor
i filosofi i 1418, og det meste av sitt liv levde han som lærer ved det samme
universitetet. Han ble presteviet rett etter at han var ferdig med studiene og
ble kannik i stiftet St. Florian i Kraków. Han aksepterte stillingen som rektor
for den prestisjefylte klosterskolen for «Regelbundne kanniker av Den hellige
Grav» i Mieschow. Det at en slik skole tilbød ham en slik stilling i hans
relativt unge alder, var et bevis på Johannes' eksepsjonelle intelligens og
talenter. Det var i undervisningen
av de unge novisene der at han fikk et fast fundament i den hellige Augustins
skrifter og spiritualitet.
Da han hadde undervist i åtte år på klosterskolen, ble
det i 1429 en stilling ledig ved filosofiavdelingen på Det jagellonske
universitetet i Kraków. Johannes vendte straks tilbake til Kraków
for å ta denne stillingen. Han tok opp sin residens på universitetet, hvor han
forble til sin død. Han ble etter hvert dekanus på det filosofiske fakultetet.
På universitetet var kongens barn blant hans studenter. Samtidig studerte han
teologi i tretten år og tok til slutt doktorgraden også i dette faget. Etter at
hans mentor, den eminente teologen Benedykt Hesse, døde overtok Johannes
ledelsen av universitetets teologiske fakultet.
I en periode ble han
fjernet fra sin stilling og utnevnt til sogneprest i Olkusz, det sies at han
var tvunget til det på grunn av akademisk misunnelse. Selv om han var
målbevisst og energisk, hadde han ikke særlig suksess. Sognebarna likte ham
ikke, og selv var han redd for ansvaret i stillingen, og etter åtte år ble han
kalt tilbake til universitetet som professor i Den hellige Skrift. Men da hadde
han vunnet hjertene i menigheten, og hans sognebarn gråt da han dro.
På en tid da Johann Hus
utøvde stor innflytelse, utmerket Johannes seg ved sin trofasthet mot ortodoks
doktrine og hans vennlighet mot sine motstandere. Han lærte sine studenter at
de skulle kjempe mot all falsk lære, men understreket nødvendigheten av å vise
selvbeherskelse og god oppførsel i kontroverser. Han ble aktet så høyt at lenge
etter hans død ble hans kappe brukt hver gang en ny doktor skulle kreeres ved
universitetet. Han produserte mer enn 18.000 sider med teologiske avhandlinger,
selv om bare 26 bind er bevart.
Johannes var en velkommen
gjest ved adelens bord, men han likte ikke når deres fine manerer ikke alltid
var i samsvar med et kristent menneskesyn. En gang var han invitert til middag
hos en fyrste, men tjenestefolkene slapp ham ikke inn i det de anså som hans
alt for enkle klær. Johannes gikk hjem uten å klage og tok på sin beste dress.
Nå slapp han inn. Under måltidet sølte en klosset kelner saus på dressen.
Johannes beroliget den forskrekkede mannen: «Det er helt i orden. La dressen
min smake på den gode sausen. Det var jo først og fremst den som var invitert».
Men han var også kjent
for sin grenseløse nestekjærlighet mot de fattige i byen. Dette startet
allerede som student. En gang han hadde gitt bort hele sitt måltid til en
tigger, fulgte de andre studentene hans eksempel. Hver gang en tigger banket på
døren, ropte den som åpnet: «En fattig har kommet!» Og alle andre svarte i kor:
«Jesus Kristus har kommet!» og bød ham til bords.
Johannes var kjent for
sin ekstreme fattigdom og askese, sov rett på golvet og spiste aldri kjøtt. Når
noen advarte ham og ba ham passe på helsen, påpekte han at ørkenfedrene levde
svært lenge til tross for et asketisk liv. Hemmeligheten bak hans enkle liv var
at han anså seg selv bare som en pilegrim på jorden, mens det sanne livet
skulle komme i evigheten. Derfor dro han også i løpet av livet på fire
pilegrimsreiser til Roma og en til Jerusalem, alle til fots med bagasjen på
ryggen. Redsel var et ukjent begrep for pilegrimen. I Jerusalem våget han å
preke for muslimene, noe som hadde kostet mange før ham livet. Men hans
hjertelige åpenhet gjorde at man ikke så hans tale som provoserende, men lot
ham gå.
Johannes regnes som
tyvenes skytshelgen. Det skyldes denne rørende legenden, som høres ut som en
anekdote hans studenter har diktet opp om ham:
På en av sine
pilegrimsreiser til Roma ble han overfalt av banditter og frarøvet alle pengene
sine. På spørsmål om han ikke hadde gjemt unna noe, svarte han benektende. Men
da røverne var gått, oppdaget han noen småmynter i en lomme. Da løp han etter
dem og ba om unnskyldning for at han hadde løyet for dem. Røverne ble så rørt
at de ga tilbake alt det de hadde tatt fra ham og lovte å endre sine liv.
Det ble meldt om flere
mirakler Johannes skulle ha gjort, og da det begynte å gå rykter om at han var
døende, brøt det ut sorg i Kraków. Han sa til dem som pleiet ham: «Ikke bry
dere om dette fengselet som forfaller, men tenk på sjelen som nå skal forlate
det». Han døde den 24. desember 1473 i en alder av 83 år og ble gravlagt i
universitetskirken St. Anna.
Fra første stund nøt han
ry som helgen og undergjører, men hans saligkåringsprosess ble ikke åpnet før
150 år senere. Han ble saligkåret den 28. mars 1676 ved at hans kult ble
stadfestet av pave Klemens X (1670-76) og helligkåret den 16. juli 1767 av pave
Klemens XIII (1758-69). Han æres spesielt i sitt hjemland Polen, og hans kult
har bare blitt sterkere siden Johannes Paul II (1978-2005), den tidligere
erkebiskopen av Kraków, besteg Peters stol i 1978.
Hans minnedag ble satt
inn i den romerske kalenderen i 1770. Den ble tidligere feiret den 20. oktober,
men etter kalenderrevisjonen i 1969 feires han nå den 23. desember, og hans
navn står i Martyrologium Romanum. Hans bolig og privatkapell på det tidligere
universitetsområdet i Kraków er fortsatt bevart. I kunsten fremstilles han som
prest med kors og monstrans, ofte også med en Mariaåpenbaring. I 1737 ble han
utnevnt til skytshelgen for Polen og Litauen av pave Klemens XII (1730-40).
Kilder: Attwater
(dk), Attwater/John, Attwater/Cumming, Farmer, Bentley, Lodi, Butler, Butler
(XII), Benedictines, Delaney, Bunson, Engelhart, Schnitzler,
Schauber/Schindler, Dammer/Adam, Index99, KIR, CE, CSO, Patron Saints SQPN,
Infocatho, Heiligenlexikon, societycantius.org - Kompilasjon og
oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden -
Opprettet: 2000-05-14 21:40 -
Sist oppdatert: 2005-12-22 22:05
