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Also known as John the Forerunner, he was the cousin of Jesus.
A prophet and a martyr, Saint John is patron Saint of converts
and those with epilepsy.
Our Lord's cousin, St. John the Baptist, is known as the greatest
of all the Saints, after the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was conceived
in Original Sin and was Baptized while still in his mother's womb;
yet he possessed the most humility of all, apart from Our Lady.
That is why the Roman Catholic Church considers him the greatest
among the Saints and Martyrs. The name 'John' means God is merciful,
or gift of God.
According to the Bible, St. John the Baptist Patron recognized
Jesus as the Messiah, and at Jesus' request, baptized him. The
baptism marked the beginning of Jesus' ministry.
The Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke relate that Jesus traveled
from Galilee directly to John and was baptized by him. St. John
Patron Saint is thought of as the last prophet and Jesus as the
Messiah.
When Jesus requested to be baptized John refused, insisting, "I
need to be baptized by you," until Jesus convinced John to
baptize him(Matthew 3:13-15).
Christians believe John the Baptist was ordained by God to be
the forerunner or precursor to the Messiah, Jesus. "to
turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient
to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for
the Lord." Luke 1:17 and also Luke 1:76 "...thou shalt
go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 1:77 "To
give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of
their sins."
The Book of Holy Tradition teaches St. John preceded the Lord
into Hades to proclaim the Good News to the captives. "Like
the morning star preceding the sun, he illumined those sitting
in the darkness and shadow of death, from where he was soon led
forth by the Lord with all the righteous from the beginning of
the age".
Holy Tradition teaches that St. John Patron Saint holds a position
of honor among the Saints. He brings the prayers and concerns
of the faithful before the Lord with the same zeal and boldness
he represented in his earthly life. He is a saving refuge to all
who come to him in prayer. St. John the Patron is a mighty intercessor
for those who suffer from the spirits of malice. He is patron
to those who are barren, and aid to the suffering. At the hour
of death, St. John is a protector of souls from the evil demons
who stand ready to accuse. He is defense of the helpless, the
poor, widows and orphans. After God, he is the refuge and hope
of all Christians. He is known as John Patron Saint of Baptism,
Bird Dealers, Converts, Convulsions, Cutters, Epileptics, Farriers,
Hailstorms, Knights of Malta, Lambs, Monastics, Motorways, Printers,
Spasms, & Tailors.
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare
the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly
come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye
delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts".
- Malachi 3:1
St. John the Baptist (along with St. John the Evangelist) is claimed
as Patron Saint by the fraternal society of Free and Accepted
Masons (better known as the Freemasons).
Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of Puerto Rico Its
capital city San Juan bears his name. In 1521, the island was
given its formal name "San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico",
He is also a patron saint of French Canada, and Newfoundland.
The Canadian cities of St. John's, Newfoundland (1497) and Saint
John, New Brunswick (1604) were named in his honor. In the UK
Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of Penzance, Cornwall.
Saint John the Baptist is also the patron saint of Jordan. His
beheading is believed to have taken place in Machaerus in central
Jordan.
The Baptistines are a number of religious orders dedicated to
the memory of John the Baptizer.
What is a Patron Saint?
Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over
chosen areas of life such as occupations, illnesses, churches,
countries, causes -- anything that is important to mankind. Early
records show that people and churches were named after apostles
and martyrs from the fourth century.
Patron Saints are usually named by the popes but patrons can be
chosen by other individuals or groups. Today, patron saints are
often chosen because of an interest, talent, or event in their
lives overlaps with the special area. Angels can be named as patron
saints.
The purpose of a patron saint is to help us follow the example
of that saint's life when we ask for that saint's intercessory
prayers to God.
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