Saint John of Kenty

To most Catholics in this country, St. John from Kenty—otherwise known as John Kanty or John Cantius—is an obscure saint, but even in Europe, probably few people know of Pope John Paul II's deep and lifelong devotion to this professor saint.

Only thirteen miles from the Holy Father's own birthplace, John was born in the small southern Polish town of Kenty 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 house 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 Kenty 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 Kenty 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, proclaiming October 20 as his feast day.

Throughout, his many years in Krakow, our philosopher Pontiff 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 Kenty when he stated: "Knowledge and wisdom seek a covenant with holiness."

TIMES NOT UNLIKE OUR OWN

(taken from Society of St. John Cantius newsletter Via Sacra, Vol.1, Issue 2, May 25, 1999)

Saint John from Kenty, patron of our religious community, lived in times not unlike our own. Although not as intense as the cultural crisis of the late twentieth century, his time was nonetheless as period of tension and sweeping change. As for us, it was a time of crisis as well as reform in the realms of culture, politics and religion.

In Europe of the fifteenth century, the Church was still reeling from the effects of the western schism. The emergence of antipopes divided the allegiances of Catholics. Criticism of Church authority led to the support of conciliarism, which asserted that the only solution to the Church's problems was submission of the Pope to the authority of Church councils.

Many philosophers wished to separate the Church from the realm of learning, some mystics wished to separate piety from a search for the truth, Hussite heretics wished to detach the Church from all temporal matters, and academics defended the rights of pagans and schismatics, under the banner of freedom of conscience. The similarity to our time is uncanny.

However, even amidst such sentiments among many of his colleagues at the Krakovian Academy, St. John from Kenty stood firm in his loyalty to the Roman Pontiff and the timeless teachings of the Church.

Despite the turmoil, it was also a period of renewal within the Church. St. John stood out as one of a number of mystics in fifteenth-century Krakow who were influenced by devotio moderna—a contemporary Dutch movement, which encouraged lay people to a life of individual piety through reflection on the Gospels, personal consecration, and works of mercy. It also promoted a renewed devotion to the Eucharist through the practice—considered revolutionary for the time—of frequent reception of Confession and Holy Communion.

The influence of this movement on the Master from Kenty may explain why, among the numerous manuscripts produced by this seasoned scholar, we find no great theological or mystical treatises. One trait characteristic of devotio moderna was that it did not encourage the writing of such works as was popular in that day. It called rather for a humble silence and renunciation of the unnecessary praise from others, that such works would have entailed.

What the Master from Kenty did leave us, however, were many volumes of transcribed manuscripts, as well as practical commentaries on morality and faith.

St. John from Kenty didn't found a school of mysticism or live in a monastery but in a manner unique for his day, he demonstrated how one could live the gospel in everyday life through service to the Church and one's fellow man. He drew constant inspiration from a deep devotion to Christ's Passion and a profound love of our Savior's Blessed Mother.

So exemplary was he, that two centuries later Pope Clement XIII wrote for his canonization that the Saint from Kenty "belonged to a group of outstanding men, distinguished by knowledge and holiness, who both taught and put into practice, as well as defended, the true faith which was under attach by its enemies."

Prayers composed
by St. John Cantius

St. John Cantius often ended his manuscripts with short prayers of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord God and the Blessed Virgin. The following is a selection of some of these prayers. .

Praise be to the Lord God,
honor and glory,
together with the Virgin Mary
and all the saints,
and thanks,
eternally world without end.

Thanks be to God,
to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ
and to all heavenly beings,
eternally world without end.

To the Lord in Three Persons,
to the One God and Most Undivided in being,
together with His Mother, the Virgin Mary,
all honor, praise and thanksgiving,
now and always. Amen.

To God be thanks…
through the hands of John from Kenty….
To the Lord God in Three Persons,
And in essence unique,
Be praise, honor, might and thanks,
Forever and ever. Amen.

To God be thanks,
and to the Virgin Mary,
and all the saints,
forever and ever. Amen

To God Almighty,
who gives strength at death,
let there be glory, praise, honor, blessing
and thanksgiving forever and ever. Amen.
And also to the Virgin Mary
and all the saints and beatified,
to whom I render unceasing thanks.

To God be thanks
and to the Mother of God, the glorious Virgin,
with the hosts of all heavenly beings,
eternally world without end.
For the glory of God.

To God,
for whom there may be honor,
praise, glory and thanksgiving,
eternally world without end.

To God,
may there be praise, honor and thanksgiving,
and also to Mary, His Most Holy Mother,
with all the saints,
eternally world without end. Amen.

To the Lord God,
May there be praise and everlasting thanksgiving,
eternally world without end. Amen

Thanks be to God Almighty,
together with His Blessed Mother,
forever and ever. Amen.

Litany to St. John Cantius

Kyrie eleison—Christe eleison.
Christ, hear us—Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven—have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,
Holy Mary, pray for us.*
St. John Cantius, pray for us*

Faithful servant of Jesus Christ,
Fervent disciple and advocate of the Gospel of Christ,
Venerator of the Lord's Passion,
Exemplary shepherd of Jesus Christ's flock,
Venerator of the Most Holy Mother of God,
Venerator of St. Anne,
Zealous imitator of the saints,
Lover of souls redeemed with Christ's Blood,
Pride and patron of the priesthood,
Father of the poor,
Exemplar of Christian kindness,
Teacher and model of evangelical mercy,
Defender of those suffering injustice,
Refuge of the afflicted,
Protector of prisoners,
Patron and guardian of pilgrims,
Great worker of miracles,
Healer of the sick,
Restorer of sight to the blind,
Refuge for those drowning,
Consolation and deliverance of the dying,
Advocate of God's justice,
Intercessor for sinners before God,
Patron of his Polish homeland,
Patron of the city of Kraków,
Pride of the Krakovian Academy,
Luminous model of the academic profession,
Patron of teachers,
Guardian of those engaged in academic work,
Teacher of truth,
Refuge in all our needs,
Joyful with the chosen ones in heaven,

Have mercy on us, spare us, O Lord.
Have mercy on us, graciously hear us, O Lord.

That the ever merciful God would deign to impart upon us the gift of Christian wisdom, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to renew in us the spirit of devoted love toward our brothers, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to fill our souls with the grace of sanctification, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to preserve us from spiritual perils, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to extend His hand to help us in adversities and temporal hardships, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to strengthen and increase the spirit of brotherly love and unity in the Holy Church, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to preserve our Homeland in peace and bless her, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to strengthen our families in mutual fidelity and love, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to surround our children and youth with special care, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to strengthen college students in a faithfulness to the Gospel and a Christian outlook, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That He would deign to give them the spirit of wisdom and fidelity to the truth, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

That the Almighty God would deign to endow all the faithful with the grace of perseverance, and those that have strayed from Him with the grace of conversion and penance, St. John Cantius, intercede for us,

Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O Saint John Cantius, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant, we beseech Thee, O God, our merciful Father, through the intercession of St. John Cantius, priest, to answer our prayers and deign to endow with Thy grace and blessing all who turn to Thee in confidence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quotes from St. John Cantius

"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?

Two quotes from St. John Cantius which he had inscribed on the wall of his living quarters: "Avoid slander because it is difficult to retract"—"Avoid offending anyone for to ask forgiveness is not delightful."

St. John Cantius wrote that if a penitent is truly humbled and contrite, the confessor should; "treat him compassionately out of consideration for the frailty of human nature."

"…we look with reverence to the Church, in order that we might have life with the saints."

St. John Cantius lived by the principle: Pauper venit, Christus venit. Once, when a pauper appeared while he was dining with friends, St. John Cantius exclaimed, "Christ has come" and invited him to the table.

From Catholic Encyclopedia

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 responsiblity 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. Durng 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.

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