Saint John Cantius

Life story

John was born at Kęty, near Oświęcim, in Poland, in 1390 according to recent biographies (the older Catholic Encyclopedia gives 1412). He studied at the Kraków Academy, now the Jagiellonian University, and earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1418.

After several years of teaching philosophy he was ordained a priest. He was sent as parish priest to Olkusz but soon left the post, fearing the responsibility. Later he taught Holy Scripture at the Kraków Academy, earned a doctorate in theology and headed the theology department until his death.

He made one pilgrimage to Jerusalem and four on foot to Rome. His first biographer, Michael Miechowita, described him as humble and full of charity.

He died on 24 December 1473 in Kraków, and was buried in the Church of St Anne, which remains a pilgrimage site. He was beatified in the seventeenth century and canonized by Pope Clement XIII on 16 July 1767. His feast was long kept on 20 October and is now 23 December.

Works and witness

• Earned a doctorate in philosophy at the Kraków Academy in 1418
• Ordained a priest; briefly parish priest at Olkusz
• Taught Scripture and headed the theology department at Kraków
• One pilgrimage to Jerusalem and four to Rome
• Canonized on 16 July 1767

Saints from the same country

Saint Stanislaus of Kraków, Saint John Paul II, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Saint Faustina Kowalska

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia, "St. John Cantius" (newadvent.org/cathen/08451b.htm)
• Vatican News, Saint of the day, 23 December (vaticannews.va)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.