St. John of KantySt. John of Kanty  is the patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims. John of Kanty 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.”

Love uCATHOLIC?
Get our inspiring content delivered to your inbox every morning - FREE!

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

188 COMMENTS

  1. Whats up are using WordPress for your site platform?
    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any
    html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  6. Link exchange is nothing else except it is simply placing
    the other person’s web site link on your page at proper place and other
    person will also do similar in favor of you.

  15. I do not know if it’s just mee or iif everyone else encountering
    issues with your blog. It apprars as though some of the written text within your posts are
    runnig off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know iif this is
    happening to them as well? This might be a problem with my browser because I’ve had
    this happlen previously. Kudos

    Feel frdee too visit my blog post :: Gambling Site (git.utzac.edu.mx)

  16. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added”
    checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!

  26. obviously like your website but you need to check the spelling
    on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it
    very bothersome to inform the truth then again I’ll certainly come again again.

  49. May I simply say what a comfort to find someone who genuinely knows wha they are discussing on the internet.

    You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important.
    More and more people need to read this and understand this side of your story.
    It’s surprising you are not more popular since you surely have the gift.

    my web page: Online Sports Betting (git.j.co.ua)

  51. Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your
    articles? I mean, what you say is important and all.
    Nevertheless think of if you added some great visuals or videos to give
    your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent
    but with pics and video clips, this site could undeniably be one of the best in its field.
    Excellent blog!

  65. Hi I am so happy I found your blog page, I really found you by mistake,
    while I was looking on Aol for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like
    to say many thanks for a tremendous post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment
    but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds,
    so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do
    keep up the awesome b.

  90. Heya just wanted to give you a quick heads
    up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading
    properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a
    linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.

  108. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.

    Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done
    a extraordinary job!

  160. It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I am happy that you shared
    this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this.
    Thank you for sharing.

  161. This is the right website for anybody who hopes to
    understand this topic. You understand so much its almost tough
    to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).
    You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been written about
    for many years. Excellent stuff, just wonderful!

  165. Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you
    get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you stop
    it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s
    driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.

  167. You really make it appear really easy with your presentation however I to find this
    matter to be really one thing that I think I would never understand.
    It kind of feels too complex and extremely huge for me.
    I’m taking a look forward on your subsequent publish, I will attempt to get the
    grasp of it!

  169. You really make it seem really easy together
    with your presentation however I to find this matter to be really one thing
    that I believe I would never understand. It sort of feels too complex and very huge for me.
    I’m having a look forward to your subsequent submit, I
    will try to get the grasp of it!

  176. I used to be recommended this website via my cousin. I’m now
    not sure whether or not this publish is written by him as
    nobody else realize such distinct approximately
    my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thank you!

  179. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted
    to say that I’ve really loved browsing your blog posts.

    After all I will be subscribing in your feed and I hope you write
    once more very soon!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here