Our Parish Patron Saint

Saint John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist was the son of Zachary, a priest, and Elizabeth, who was a cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Zachary and Elizabeth had prayed many years for a child, but Elizabeth remained barren.

One day, while Zachary was offering incense in the Temple of the Lord, an angel appeared to him. The angel announced that Zachary and Elizabeth would have a son, to be named John, who would prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. 

Soon after, Elizabeth conceived a child as the angel had said. Her cousin Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, came to congratulate her. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leapt for joy in her womb. Zachary began to prophesy that his son would “go before the Lord to prepare his ways.”

John went to the desert at a young age, and there grew in spirit and received the word of the Lord. He returned to Jordan after some thirty years in the desert to bring his message to the world. Many were drawn to him, as he proclaimed a message of generosity, penance, honesty, and humility, saying “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John baptized his listeners in the Jordan, and was given the title “the Baptist.” 

“I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” When Jesus came to the Jordan, John baptized Him as well, recognizing Him as the Messiah. John identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, and encouraged others to follow Him.

John the Baptist met the ruler Herod, and John chastened Herod for his evil works and public adultery with his brother’s wife, Herodias. Angered, Herod threw John in prison. Herod’s anger towards John lessened with time, and he began to act according to many of John’s suggestions.

At a birthday celebration for Herod, Herodias’s daughter danced for the king. Herod, pleased with her performance, promised to give her anything she desired. Herodias told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Herod had an executioner bring John the Baptist’s head on a dish.

John’s disciples, after hearing of his death, laid his body in a tomb, then went to tell Jesus.

Today, the Feast of St. John the Baptist is celebrated on June 24. St. John the Baptist is celebrated as a loyal servant of God, a Precursor who made “straight the way of the Lord.”

Information obtained from the Holy Bible and “St. John the Baptist,” by Charles L. Souvay. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08486b.htm

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