Saint John was a peacemaker. He defended the rights of servants and workers and put an end to many bitter and bloody feuds.
John Gonzalez was born in 1430 of a well-to-do family in San Facundo (today, Sahagun), in northwestern Spain. As a young boy he was sent to study under the Benedictines of his native town where he showed great promise for his talents and zeal. Through the good graces of the monks and the encouragement of his father, a number of church benefices were obtained for John, including nomination as a cathedral canon, while he was still a layman. When he was ordained by the bishop of Burgos in 1454 he renounced all of these benefices except that of chaplain at the church of Saint Gadea, where he devoted himself to pastoral ministry.
After his bishop died in 1456, John resigned his position at Saint Gadea and received permission to pursue further studies at Salamanca. From 1457 to 1461 he studied canon law and theology and obtained a bachelor's degree in both fields. In 1460 John was appointed preacher of the city of Salamanca, a priest of Saint Stephen's Church, and a member of the University College of Saint Bartholomew. He was an outstanding preacher, whose style, clarity, sincerity, and integrity attracted large crowds and effected much good. To the Duke of Alba, who complained of John's stern denunciation of the sins of nobility and commoners alike form the pulpit, John replied: "It is becoming of Your Grace to know that a preacher must be prepared in his soul to speak the truth, both in denouncing and correcting shortcomings and in praising virtue, to such a point that he is willing in that cause even to face death." On 18 June 1463, he renounced his positions in order to join the Augustinian Order at Salamanca, where he entered the novitiate and professed vows the following year on 28 August, the feast of Saint Augustine. Already well known to the friars before his entrance into the community, and highly respected for his learning and virtue, he was soon chosen to fill positions of responsibility in the Augustinian Order, including two terms as prior of the Salamanca monastery and delegate to every provincial chapter until his death.
As an Augustinian, John continued his preaching ministry with the same distinction and positive results as before. He was acclaimed by the people of the city as a wise and prudent confessor, an effective reconciler of feuding families, and a champion of the rights of workers. In his life as a friar, he was humble and sincere, and an example of religious observance to his brethren.
Especially characteristic of his prayer life was his great devotion to the eucharist. It is recorded that Christ appeared to him as he contemplated the sacrament. His biographer and confrere, Friar John of Seville, claims that John's death on 11 June 1479 occurred by poisoning as a result of his bold activity as a preacher. Immediately after his death many favors were reported through his intercession. John was beatified on 19 June 1601 and was canonized in 1690. His remains are preserved in the cathedral of Salamanca. Saint John is honored as the patron of the city and diocese of Salamanca.
The Augustinian Family celebrates his feast on 12June.
Source: http://www.osa-west.org
When we see others doing wrong, should we be silent or speak out? We can always speak out to God, of course, and ask Him to enlighten the wrongdoers. Cases differ, also, and in particular instances where our intervention may accomplish nothing, we may keep silence so long as our silence cannot be interpreted as giving approval. But there are some occasions when duty demands that we confront our neighbor, whatever the cost to ourselves. John of Sahagun, as a reforming missionary, had a particular obligation to call a spade a spade, as we shall see.
John was born at the town of Sahagun (also spelled San Fagondez) in the ancient Spanish kingdom of Leon. His father, a man of influence, had him educated by the Benedictine monks of the town. Then, when he was still a young boy, he secured for him a small church benefice. A benefice was a church position that had an endowment attached, so that the holder of the benefice would receive its annual income. Benefices might be chaplaincies, pastorates, abbacies, and even bishoprics; and to win such appointments a man did not need to be a priest, only a lesser cleric.
How, then, you will ask, could these beneficed clerics carry on their job as chaplains, pastors, abbots, or bishops? They couldn't, by themselves; they would have to pay priests or bishops to do the spiritual work in return for a slight salary. As you can see, this was a regrettable financial abuse, and one fully corrected only during the Catholic Reformation.
John received several other such benefices; but he was an earnest young man, and after ordination to the priesthood in 1445, he gave up all but one small chapel benefice. Furthermore, in that chapel he did all the work himself; he said daily Mass, and devoted himself to teaching and preaching, meanwhile living a life of austere self-denial and prayer.
After a while, realizing his need for a better education in theology, he took a four year course at the University of Salamanca. Once he had his theological degree, he began a campaign of preaching that quickly won him a reputation as a spiritual guide. Along the line, however, he was stricken with gallstones. Facing an operation, he vowed that if he recovered he would join the Augustinian friars. The operation was successful, and the Augustinians welcomed with open arms this very promising candidate.
Father John then launched a reformist program in Salamanca that proved very successful. It succeeded, not simply because he himself was well informed, wise, and eloquent, but because he upheld in his own life the high ideas that he preached to others. God granted to him also many striking spiritual gifts: an almost ecstatic devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, for instance; and an ability to read the consciences of those who confessed to him.
Here, then, was a man whose duty, like that of St. John the Baptist, was to tell off sinners for their waywardness. As we recall from the case of St. John the Baptist, straight talk can win enemies, and Friar John found this out in more than one instance. But he was no respecter of persons, and when there was need to tell off, he told off.
Preaching once at Alba, for example, he denounced rich landlords who oppressed their poor tenants. The Duke of Alba was so infuriated by the sermon that he sent two men to kill St. John. When the pair met the preacher, however, they suddenly felt remorse, told him of their awful assignment, and begged his forgiveness. At another place, where he rebuked some women for their loose life, the women started to stone him. Fortunately, he was rescued by a troop of police. At Salamanca itself, John succeeded in persuading a prominent man to break off a sinful alliance. The woman scorned would not be appeased, although the charge that he died from poison administered by her was never proved.
Yes, we do have a duty in charity at times to correct evil in others, come what may. We will not normally succeed, however, unless we have first corrected the evil in ourselves.
--Father Robert F. McNamara
Source: Irondequoit Catholic Communities
Saint John of Sahagún
June 12
John (1430?-1479) was a peacemaker and worker for justice in society. He defended the rights of workers. A sincere and humble man, he was a noted preacher, whose devotion to the Eucharist marked all aspects of his life.
Born in Sahagun, Leon, Spain around the year 1430, John was raised in a prominent family. While he was still young, John's father obtained for him a position which would guarantee him a substantial income.
John refused to accept this position, because he saw it as contrary to God's way. His family was very disappointed.
Seeing the good qualities of his life, Alphonsus of Carthage, the Bishop of Burgos, ordained John a priest and gave him a position of responsibility in the administration of the Church.
John did not find this work fulfilling, however. So he went to live in Salamanca, where he engaged in study and preaching. While John was ministering at the Church of Saint Bartholomew, the Duke of Alba complained when he used the pulpit to denounce not only the sins of common people, but also the sins of the nobility.
“Father, you do not know how to control your tongue,” the Duke angrily charged.
John responded, “Sir Duke, tell me why did I walk into that Pulpit: To proclaim the truth to all who would listen, or to shamefully praise you? A preacher must be prepared in his soul to speak the truth, both in denouncing and correcting shortcomings and in praising virtue, to such a point that he is willing in that cause even to face death.”
Still not satisfied with his life as a diocesan Priest, he joined the Augustinians in 1463. The Friars recognized his abilities, and chose him twice to serve as Prior (local superior) of the Salamanca Monastery. He was a delegate to every Province Chapter held during his years in the Order.
The people saw him as wise and prudent. He was able to reconcile feuding families. He championed the rights of workers. He was a man of prayer, and was particularly devoted to the Eucharist.
One of his contemporaries gave this testimony to John's character: “If you ask me about the actions of Friar John, with regard to the poor and afflicted, exploited widows and children, the needy and the sick, I would have to say that he was naturally compelled to help them all in word and in deed. He was particularly interested in leading all to peace and harmony, and putting an end to hostility. Living in Salamanca, where the entire city was split into factions, he succeeded in preventing much bloodshed.”
Due to John's repeated initiatives for peace, the opposing nobles of Salamanca signed in 1476 a solemn and perpetual peace treaty.
John drew his courage and strength especially from the daily celebration of the Eucharist, to which he was highly devoted.
John died in Salamanca June 11, 1479. His biographer, Friar John of Seville, believed that he was poisoned by somebody who did not like the honesty of his preaching. He was beatified in 1601 and canonized in 1690. His remains are preserved at the Cathedral of Salamanca.
Source: midwestaugustinians.org
St. John of Sahagun
Hermit, b. 1419, at Sahagún (or San Fagondez) in the Kingdom of Leon, in Spain; d. 11 June, 1479, at Salamanca; feast 12 June. In art he is represented holding a chalice and host surrounded by rays of light. John, the oldest of seven children, was born of pious and respected parents, JohnGonzalez de Castrillo and Sancia Martinez. He received his first education from the Benedictinescustom of the times, his father procured for him the beneficeparish Dornillos, but this caused John many qualms of conscience. He was later introduced to Alfonso de Cartagena, Bishop of Burgos (1435-1456) who took a fancy to the bright, high-spirited boy, had him educated at his own residence, gave him several prebends, ordained him priest in 1445, and made him canon at the cathedral. Out of conscientious respect for the laws of the Church, John resigned all and retained only the chaplaincy of St. Agatha, where he laboured zealously for the salvation of souls.
Finding that a more thorough knowledge of theology would be beneficial, he obtained permission to enter the University of Salamanca, made a four years' course, and merited his degree in divinity. During this time he exercised the sacred ministry at the chapel of the College of St. Bartholomew (parish of St. Sebastian), and held the position for nine years. He was then obligedstone, and during his illness vowed that if his life were spared, he would become a religious. On his recovery in 1463, he applied for admission to the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, at the church of St. Peter, at Salamanca, and on 28 Aug., 1464, he made his profession.
He made such progress in religious perfection that he was soon appointed master of novices, and in 1471 prior of the community. Great was his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and at MassSacred Host resplendent in glory. He was gifted with special power to penetrate the secrets of conscience, so that it was not easy to deceive him, and sinners were almost forced to make good confessions; he obtained wonderful results in doing away with enmities and feuds. In his sermons he, like another St. John the Baptist, fearlessly preached the word of God and scourged the crimes and vices of the day, though thereby the rich and noble were offended. He soon made many enemies, who even hired assassins, but these, awed by the serenity and angelic sweetness of his countenance, lost courage. Some women of Salamanca, embittered by the saint's strong sermon against extravagance in dress, openly insulted him in the streets and pelted him with stones until stopped by a patrol of guards. His scathing words on impurity produced salutary effects in a certain nobleman who had been living in open concubinage, but the woman swore vengeance, and it was popularly believed that she caused the saint's death by poison (this statement is found only in later biographies). Soon after death his veneration spread in Spain.
The process of beatification began in 1525, and in 1601 he was declared Blessed. New miraclesintercession, and on 16 Oct., 1690, Alexander VIII entered his name in the list of canonized saints. Benedict XIII fixed his feast for 12 June. His relics are found in Spain, Belgium, and Peru. His life written by John of Seville towards the end of the fifteenth century with additions in 1605 and 1619, is used by the Bollandists in "Acta SS.", Jun., III, 112.
St. John of Sahagun
Feastday: June 12
John Gonzales de Castrillo was born at Sahagun, Leon Spain. He was educated by the Benedictine monks of Fagondez monastery there and when twenty, received a canonry from the bishop of Burgos, though he already had several benefices. He was ordained in 1445; concerned about the evil of pluralism, he resigned all his benefices except that of St. Agatha in Burgos. He spent the next four years studying at the University of Salamanca and then began to preach. In the next decade he achieved a great reputation as a preacher and spiritual director, but after recovering after a serious operation, became an Augustinian friar in 1463 and was professed the following year. He served as master of novices, definitor, prior at Salamanca, experienced visions, was famous for his miracles, and had the gift of reading men's souls. He denounced evil in high places and several attempts were made on his life. He died at Sahagun on June 11, reportedly poisoned by the mistress of a man he had convinced to leave her. He was canonized in 1690 as St. John of Sahagun. His feast day is June 12th.
Source: www.catholic.org
John of Sahagún
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Saint John of Sahagún | |
|---|---|
| Confessor | |
| Born | 1419, Sahagún, Province of Leon, Kingdom of Castile, Spain |
| Died | June 11, 1479, Salamanca, Province of Salamanca, Kingdom of Castile, Spain |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 1601, Rome by Pope Clement VIII |
| Canonized | October 16, 1690, Rome by Pope Alexander VIII |
| Feast | June 12 |
| Attributes | holding a Chalice and the Holy Host surrounded by rays of light |
John of Sahagún, also known as Saint John of San Facondo, (1419 - 11 June 1479) was a Spanish priest who belonged to the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine.[1] He has a third class feast on 12 June in the extraordinary form.
[edit] Life
Saint John was born in the year 1419, at Sahagún (or San Facondo) in the Province of Leon, in the Kingdom of Castile. He was the oldest of seven children of John Gonzalez de Castrillo and Sancia Martinez, both pious and respected parents.
John received his early education from the Benedictines of his native city. After receiving ecclesiastical tonsure, according to the custom of the times, his father procured for him the benefice of the neighboring parish of Dornillos. He was later introduced to Monsignor Alfonso de Cartagena, Bishop of Burgos (1435-1456), who took a fancy to the bright, high-spirited boy. Bishop de Cartagena had him educated at his own residence, gave him several prebends, ordained him a priest in the year 1445, and made him a canon at the Cathedral of Burgos. All of this caused John many qualms of conscience.
Moved by Divine grace and out of respect for the laws of the Church, John resigned all and retained only the chaplaincy of St Agatha, where he said Mass, preached and catechized the ignorant.[2] He now began to lead a life of strict poverty and mortification.[3]
With his Bishop's consent, he obtained permission to enter the University of Salamanca, where for four years he applied himself to the study of theology. During this time he exercised the sacred ministry at the chapel of the College of St Bartholomew (in the parish of St Sebastian), and held that position for nine years. He devoted himself to the care of souls. Owing to illness, he was obliged to undergo an operation for the removal of stones. He vowed that if his life were spared, he would become a Religious.
Upon his recovery in the year 1463, he applied for admission to the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, at the Church of St Peter, in Salamanca. In the following year, on August 28, 1464, John made his solemn profession.[4]
By the command of his superiors, he gave himself wholeheartedly to the salvation of souls, and with the best results, to preaching the "Word of God." By his zeal he was able to effect the entire reformation of the city of Salamanca.[5]
John made such progress in religious perfection that he was soon appointed master of novices, and later in the year 1471, prior of the community. He conducted the Religious under his rule more by example than by his words.
Great was St John's devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, that at the celebration of Mass he frequently saw the Sacred Host resplendent in glory. He was gifted with a special power to penetrate the secrets of conscience, so that it was not easy to deceive him, and sinners were almost always forced to make good confessions. He was able to obtain wonderful results in doing away with enmities and feuds.
In many ways, St John was like a fellow Religious who lived nearly 500 years later, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, who also had the uncanny ability to discern the secrets of conscience.
In his sermons Saint John, like St. John the Baptist, fearlessly preached the Word of God and scourged the crimes and vices of the day, by which the rich and noble were offended. He soon made many enemies, who went so far as to hire assassins, but these, awed by the serenity and angelic sweetness of his countenance, lost courage. Some women of Salamanca, embittered by the saint's strong sermon against extravagance in dress, openly insulted him in the streets and pelted him with stones until stopped by a patrol of guards.
St John's scathing words on the "sins of impurity" produced salutary effects in a certain nobleman who had been living in open concubinage, but the woman swore vengeance. It was popularly believed that she had caused the saint's death by poison (this statement is found only in later biographies).
[edit] Veneration
The process of beatification began in the year 1525 under Pope Clement VII, and in 1601 he was declared "Blessed" by Pope Clement VIII.
New miracles were wrought through his intercession, and on October 16, 1690, Pope Alexander VIII entered his name in the list of canonized saints. Pope Benedict XIII fixed his liturgical feast day for June 12.
St John's life written by John of Seville towards the end of the fifteenth century with additions in 1605 and 1619, is the one used by the Bollandists in "Acta SS.", June, III, 112.
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