St. John of Kenty

Patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims

{short description of image}

To most Catholics in this country, St. John from Kenty—otherwise know 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 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 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."

Novena and Litany

to St. John Cantius

Novenas preceded celebrations honoring John from Kenty, first of all, constituted a spiritual preparation for the observance of the anniversary of the saint's death (dies natalis), ie. December 24. That holiday was solemnly observed from time immemorial--as stated by a document from the time of Bl. John from Kenty's canonization (Congregatione Sacrorum Rituum ..., Romae 1675, s.90).

1. The celebration of St. John Cantius, the patron and native son of the Kraków Archdiocese, can be preceded by a novena, which should begin October 11 and be conducted during Rosary services (in place of the prayer to St. Joseph).

2. In centers of special devotion to St. John from Kenty (ie. Kenty, the parish of St. Anne in Kraków, churches under the patronage of this saint) one should attempt to maintain a solemn character for the novena, combining it with Holy Mass and a sermon. Also, wherever a thriving devotion to St. John Cantius exists, a perpetual Thursday novena is recommended. During that time, only if liturgical rubrics allow for it, a votive Mass for St. John Cantius should be said (see the order of the Mass for St. John Cantius).

3. The proposed intentions for the individual days of the novena listed below can be supplemented with prayers which take into consideration local needs and matters entrusted to the patronage of St. John Cantius (ie. prayers for the intention of professors, academicians, teachers and educators, students, children and youth, as well as the sick, those suffering from impoverishment, etc.).

Novena to St. John Cantius

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, One and Only, in the Most Holy Trinity, from the depths of our hearts we desire above all to give thanks for countless graces and for all that we have received from Your generous hand.

Father most kind, we stand before You with childlike faith and trust. Along with the gift of ourselves we bring to You our joy, which flows from the small victories along the road of our daily struggles with the world around us.

God, the Holy Spirit, enlighten our thoughts and our hearts. Show us the path marked out for our life and do not allow us to ever stray from that path by choosing wrongly from among those choices offered to us everyday by life.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, we offer You our difficulties, sufferings, and all adversities, which constitute the pain of life. We join them with Your Cross as an expression of our gratitude for Your Passion and Death, and as proof of our solidarity with the Most Sorrowful Blessed Mother, who for us and in our name stood beneath the Cross on Golgotha.

We do this in our own name and with thought of those for whom today we wish to pray.

Lord God, through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, grant us our requests. Reject not our petitions.

St. John Cantius, be our confidant at the side of God. Fervently, we ask you to take us under your care. Obtain for us from the Throne of grace those indispensable gifts, without which we would be unable to fulfill those tasks, which God has given to us in His age-old plan.

We ask of you today, to obtain for us from God, that special favor, which we so fervently desire ... and above all, the remission of our sins, a continuation in His grace, and a happy death. Amen.

Our Father, ... ; Hail Mary, ... ; Glory Be ....

St. John Cantius, pray for us.

1. Petition for the grace of fervent faith

Lord Jesus Christ, You said: "If you will have faith the size of a mustard seed," you will be able to conquer all the obstacles of life. Humbly we beseech Thee, bestow upon us the grace of fervent faith and grant, that by imitating St. John from Kenty, we would place in You our hope for the life of this world, and that we would be rewarded in eternity for fidelity to Your teaching. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

[After each petition, say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be 3 times, followed by the Litany to St. John Cantius.]

2. Petition for the spirit of prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, "enduring in prayer," You gave Your disciples an example of how they were to worship the Father, and You bestowed upon St. John from Kenty the singular gift of contemplation. Grant, that we would unceasingly praise You, and by imitating the humble life of our Patron, could through his powerful intercession gain help in all our spiritual needs and remain faithful in the face of the adversities of life. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

3. Petition for love among people

Lord Jesus Christ, You taught us through your Apostle: "Love each other mutually with brotherly love." We humbly ask You, through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, untiring advocate of the Gospel of love, that we more perfectly love our brothers as you loved us. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

4. Petition for the spirit of penance

Lord Jesus Christ, You told us: "Do penance, for the Kingdom of heaven has drawn near." Grant that we would through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, who distinguished himself by a singular devotion to the Lord's Passion, perform acts of penance and recognize them as the path to exoneration, which brings us closer to a joyful eternity. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

5. Petition for the fulfillment of God's will

Lord Jesus Christ, You told us: let the will of the Heavenly Father "be done on earth as it is in heaven." Grant, that by following the example of St. John from Kenty, we would cherish the humble and meek fulfillment of Your will and in that manner proclaim the glory of Your name. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

6. Petition for the spirit of mercy

Lord Jesus Christ, in giving the example of the Good Samaritan, You told us: "Go and do the same." Likewise, St. John from Kenty, by his conduct, proclaimed the Gospel of mercy to prisoners, beggars, and all in need. Grant, that by his example, we may fulfill the fundamental law of the Last Judgement: "Whatever you did for the least of my brethren you did unto Me." Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

7. Petition for the gift of Christian witness

Lord Jesus Christ, through Your Apostle You reminded us, that in the world we are Your letter "written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God." We ask, that through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, you give us the grace of Christian witness, so that as "a living tablet" we would open to the world our hearts filled to overflowing with the Spirit of God and in that manner bear witness to Your presence in the human family. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

8. Petition for priestly vocations

Lord Jesus Christ, You told us: "Beseech therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest." Grant we ask, through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, who performed his priestly duties with such great fervor, that the Holy Mother Church would never lack worthy laborers in Your Vineyard. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

9. Petition for loyalty to the Cross

Lord Jesus Christ, You told us: "He who does not carry his cross and follow Me, cannot be my disciple." We implore Thee, that through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, who distinguished himself by a special love of the mystery of the Holy Cross, as well as by a devotion to the Most Sorrowful Mother, we would follow the example of Your servant by pondering the mystery of Your Passion and Death, and in that manner learn of love and attain the glory of the resurrection. Who lives and reigns 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,
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.

What has been written

by and about St. John Cantius

Quotes from St. John Cantius

ST. John Cantius supposedly often said: "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.

Quotes from various documents about St. John Cantius

"For him [i.e. St. John Cantius] everything related to learning was at the service of charity."

"He 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 attack by its enemies." (from the Canonization Bull for St. John Cantius, Pope Clement XIII)

"God was constantly in his heart and on his lips." (from the Canonization Bull for St. John Cantius, Pope Clement XIII)

"Going hand-in-hand with that true brand of humility one saw in him a great childlike humility. There was nothing deceitful or ambiguous in his actions and words. Whatever was in his heart he unhesitantly and honestly revealed. If he thought that his words, even when speaking the truth, could accidentally offend someone, he humbly asked for forgiveness before approaching the altar." (from the Canonization Bull for St. John Cantius, Pope Clement XIII)

Of St. John Cantius, John Paul II said: "Scholarship and ascetism-wisdom and humility."

Fr. Piotr Skarga (renowned sixteenth-century Polish Jesuit and biographer of St. John Cantius) described St. John Cantius in this way: "In speech he always adhered to the truth and unrelentingly despised lies." (Based on the statement by Jesus in Matthew 5, 37)

Fr. Piotr Skarga (renowned sixteenth-century Polish Jesuit and biographer of St. John Cantius) described St. John Cantius in this way: "He was diligent in keeping fasts, generous in patience, firm in faith, fervent in love of God, lofty in meditation on the mysteries of God, strong in hope, extraordinary in restraint."

On 19 October 1973, Karol Cardinal Wojtyla said: "St. John Cantius was a professor and priest. In his time, he was precisely what one now refers to as an academic priest. It is possible to proclaim him as the patron of academic priests, not only here [in Poland] but in the whole world."

"…the spiritual and intellectual formation of our Patron was shaped not by fashionable Scotism or Albertism, but rather on the doctrine of St. Augustine, complemented by the theological thought of Thomas Aquinas. This puts St. John Cantius in the ranks of those, who represent Christian humanism, that is to say, that intellectual trend in the christianitis of his time, which led to an authentic renewal of Christianity through a full evangelization that flowed from inner conviction and complete inner freedom." (quote originally taken from R. M. Zawadzki, Sw Jan Kanty w swietle najnowszych badan, pp. 9-10.)

"…he had only God in his heart and on his lips." (excerpted from the Divine Office for the feast of St. John Cantius, October 20)

"With the devoutness, with which he treated matters of God, he linked humility. Even though he exceeded all others in his knowledge, he nonetheless felt himself unimportant, never elevating himself above others. What is more, he desired to be despised and unrespected, while those who spoke ill of and who where unfriendly toward him, he bore with good spirits." (excerpted from the Divine Office for the feast of St. John Cantius, October 20)

"In those times, when errors and schisms reigned in neighboring countries, he called for the preservation of Christian perspectives and customs. That which he proclaimed from the pulpit and clarified for the faithful, he confirmed by his humility, pure life, charity, mortification and many other virtues, characteristic of a true priest and untiring laborer." (excerpted from the Divine Office for the feast of St. John Cantius, October 20)

What others wrote about St. John Cantius

St. John Cantius filled his life with good works as an expression of the exhortation given by St. James in his epistle: "So it is with the faith that does nothing in practice. It is thoroughly lifeless." (Jas 2, 17)

In his writings St. John Cantius defended the truths of the faith and for this was maliciously attacked by the Hussites.

With every day, St. John Cantius followed the words of Christ, "Then go and do the same" (Lk 10, 37) by performing works of love and mercy.

"He did not only read and study much but he discussed every question with the Lord-on his knees-for he strove to look at life's issues from God's perspective."

St. John Cantius spent much time in St. Anne's Church in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

St. John Cantius didn't separate piety from academics or religious life from teaching.

St. John Cantius lived a strict and pious life.

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin played a special role in St. John Cantius's life. At the end of each completed manuscript he noted his thanks to God and to His Blessed Mother.

St. John Cantius had great devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Lord's Passion (the day of both his birth and death was Friday).

St. John Cantius linked his devotion to the Lord's Passion with various penances and mortifications.

St. John Cantius didn't evade work and treated none of it with disdain.

St. John Cantius was particularly known for his truthfulness and great delicacy in speaking.

St. John Cantius was a model of someone who controled his tongue.

St. John Cantius spoke the truth even in cases when it exposed him to great trouble. In this he reflected on the words of Christ: "Say 'Yes' when you mean 'Yes' and 'No' when you mean 'No'. Anything beyond that is from the evil one." (Mt 5, 37)

St. John Cantius had great compassion for the poor and downtrodden, and did much to help them. He opened his heart wide for them.

St. John Cantius had a particular love for students who were so often in need.

In the sphere of material goods, one can see in St. John Cantius a Franciscan radicalism in his interpretation of the Gospel. His style of life and residence in the Collegium Maius reminded one more of an austere monastic life rather than that of a professor.

"St. John Cantius lived in times of enormous tension and rather complex change, that was felt in almost all aspects of life in the West,…"

St. John Cantius was a scholar who drew his wisdom from continual communion with God. He rooted his thought in Him.

Jesuits consider St. John Cantius the patron of philosophers.

St. John Cantius is considered the patron of professors and teachers, students, priests, and pilgrims. (from the Litany to St. John Cantius)

SOURCES

Clement XIII, Bullarii Romani continuatio, IV, pars. II, Pratis 1843, pp. 1314-1316.

Gasidlo Ks. Wladyslaw, Ku czci swietego Jana z Ket, w szescsetlecie jego urodzin, 1390-1990 (Kraków 1991).

Mrówczynski O. Jerzy C.R., Swiety profesor: Jan z Ket (Niepokalanów 1989).

Rechowicz Marian and Swastek Józef, "Jan z Ket", in Aleksandra Witkowska OSU, ed., Nasi swieci: Polski slownik hagiograficzny (Poznan 1995) 282-296.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.