Portal:Catholicism/Patron Archive/December 23
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saint John Cantius (Polish: Jan Kanty; 23 June 1390 – 24 December 1473) was a renowned Polish Scholastic and theologian. In English he is also known as John of Kanty or John of Kenti.
He was born in Kęty, a small town near Oświęcim, in the diocese of Kraków, Poland, to Stanisław and Anna Kanty. His parents enrolled him in the Kraków Academy, where he eventually graduated as a bachelor, master, and doctor.[citation needed] He was also ordained a priest.
Though he left the Academy for a time after his graduation, he soon returned as professor of Sacrae Scripturae (Sacred Scriptures), a position he held until his death in 1473. In physics, he helped develop Jean Buridan's theory of "impetus," which anticipated the work of Galileo and Newton.
In 1431 he was transferred to the small village of Olkusz in Bohemia. John had been unjustly kicked out of his university position because of false charges, presented by rivals who resented John's popularity. Eight years later he was exonerated and transferred back to Cracow to be a professor of sacred Scripture at the university.
Cantius was noted throughout his life for his good humor and humility. He subsisted only on what was strictly necessary to sustain his life, giving away the rest of his salary to the poor.
He made four pilgrimages to Rome (on foot), and one to Jerusalem—the latter with the intent of martyring himself to the Turks. Throughout his life, various miracles were attributed to him. In 1767 he was canonized by Pope Clement XIII.
A popular saint in Poland, a number of churches founded by Polish diaspora communities throughout North America in cities such as Winnipeg, Detroit, Buffalo, Chicago and New York City are named in his honor.
Attributes: cleric with cross, monstrance and vision of Mary
Patronage:
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
