Blessed John Duns Scotus: Defender of the Immaculate Conception
The saint of the day for November 8 is Blessed John Duns Scotus, Franciscan priest and theologian of the thirteenth century. Bl. John Duns Scotus was born in Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland, to a wealthy farming family around 1265. At the age of 15, he entered the Novitiate of the Order of Friars Minor and was ordained a priest in 1291, at the church of St. Andrew of the Monks of Cluny. Following his ordination, he traveled between England and France to pursue advanced philosophical and theological studies. On Christmas night 1299, Bl. John, immersed in contemplation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word, fell into ecstasy. The Blessed Mother appeared to him and placed on his arms the Child Jesus who kissed and embraced him fondly. After four years of teaching at Oxford and Cambridge, at the end of 1301, Bl. John returned to Paris, where he earned his bachelor's degree in theology. Then, on the vigil of receiving his doctorate, he had to leave France suddenly, to re...