Today's Saint: St. John of San Fecundo, Pious Priest and Peacemaker

John, the oldest of seven children, was born in 1419 in Sahagún, León, Spain. His parents, the pious and respected John Gonzalez de Castrillo and Sancia Martinez, had him educated by the Benedictine monks . At age 20, he was further educated at the Bishop of Burgos' residence. He was later ordained a priest in 1445 and was appointed canon of the cathedral. He attended the University of Salamanca, made a four years' course, and earned his degree in divinity.

During a serious sickness John vowed to embrace an ascetic way of life upon recovery. In fulfillment of his promise, he gave the better of his two garments to a beggar who went about almost naked. He then joined the hermits of St. Augustine at Salamanca in 1463. At the time that monastery was universally respected because of its strict rule and discipline.

He was often granted the privilege of seeing the bodily form of Christ at the moment of consecration and learning the deepest secrets directly from God Himself, the secrets of men's hearts and the secret events of the future. He was also known for his forceful preaching. He fearlessly preached the word of God and spoke harshly against the crimes and vices of the day despite the fact that he made dangerous enemies in the process. He died at Sahagún in 1479, possibly poisoned by the mistress of a man he had convinced to leave her.

John's special charism was to calm passions and to restore peace. How quickly disputes and quarrels arise! Yet we must practice the beatitude: "Blessed are the peacemakers."

Patron: Salamanca, Spain.

Symbols: A hermit of St. Augustine, walking upon the sea; holding a chalice and host surrounded by rays of light.

Quote about St. John spoken by the prior of his monastery to another priest:

"You may believe me when I say that the reason why our Father John says Mass so slowly is that God reveals to him the profound mysteries that are accomplished in the Mass - mysteries so sublime that no human intelligence is capable of grasping them.
The secrets he disclosed to me concerning them were of so tremendous a nature that I was overwhelmed with awe and almost swooned. It is certain that Christ frequently manifests Himself visibly to this father, speaking with him as one speaks to a friend, and showing him His five sacred wounds, from which proceeds a light of exceeding brightness, which, shed upon the Saint, quickens both body and soul, so that he experiences no need of earthly nourishment. He also beholds the Body of Christ shining like the sun at noonday and perceives its infinite beauty and glory. Such are the lofty and divine things he is privileged to know, mysteries which it is not given to man to fathom, much less to utter. Since I have thus been made aware of the immense benefits accruing to mankind by the celebrating or assisting at Mass, I have made a firm resolution never to omit saying or hearing Mass and to do my utmost to induce others to do the same."

~ excerpted from
The Incredible Catholic Mass: An Explanation of the Catholic Mass by Rev. Martin Von Cochem, Tan Books

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