John Cantius

St. John of Krakow (* June 23, 1390 in Kety, Poland, † December 24, 1473 in Krakow, also: John Cantius ) was a priest of the Diocese of Krakow and theology professor at the Jagiellonian University.

Biography

His surname Cantius is derived from the Latinized name of his birthplace, where he grew up the son of a peasant family. As a teenager, he was sent to the University in Krakow, where he struck by uptake and piety.

He made the Doctor of Theology, was ordained a priest and took the teaching as a professor at the university. After a short time as pastor of the city Olkusz he returned to Krakow to work there as a professor of Sacred Scripture. He was also a canon of the monastery of St. Florian Krakow and at the same time pastor.

During his life he made four pilgrimages to Rome and Jerusalem.

His first biographer Michał Miechowita handed down reasons for the holiness of the priest: This was marked by a deep humility and charity, gave his possessions to the poor and had practiced in many works of penance.

John of Krakow died on December 24, 1473 in Krakow and was soon revered as a saint. On March 28, 1676 he was beatified by Pope Clement X, on July 16, 1767 followed his canonization by Pope Clement XIII. His feast day was initially October 20, since the calendar reform in 1969, it is December 23.

His body is buried in Krakow at St. Anne's Church, after his funeral, the place quickly became a place of pilgrimage.