Tom Thomas –
The Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 957 Communion with the saints says. “It is not merely by the title of example that we cherish the memory of those in heaven; we seek, rather, that by this devotion to the exercise of fraternal charity the union of the whole Church in the Spirit may be strengthened. Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself.”
There are many Catholic Saints that one can pray to and emulate. Some Saints are more well-known than others. Yet, each Saint has a unique charism that is worth studying and learning from.
St John of the Cross is a popular saint and mystic, whose works such as “Dark Night of the Soul” are extensively read all over the world, and specially in times of traveling through desert times in our lives like this Lenten Season.
There is another Saint we should think of in the Lenten Season too, whose name is quite similar to St John of the Cross, yet different, called St John Joseph of the Cross, a Franciscan Priest, born in 1654, whose Feast day is on March 5th. You can read more about the life of this Saint on resources like Franciscan Media and the Catholic Encyclopedia.
I was intrigued by the following aspects of this Saint:
- He got up at 3am every day to pray and start his day.
- He fasted from red meat and wine for over 30 years.
- His habit was very modest and repaired often. (Despite coming from a wealthy family, he embraced Lady Poverty as his father St Francis of Assisi did).
- He obeyed whatever his seniors told him to do, including building a monastery.
- He never turned away any visitors to the monastery house, including sometimes giving them provisions meant for himself, if sufficient quantity (as was often the case) was not there.
- He never wanted any special status in life or while travelling.
The ascetic practices he followed certainly started bearing results and many came to him for cures. He wanted those cured to attribute medicines as the reason, as he did not want attention to be drawn to himself.
Most of these attributes seem to be common to many Catholic Saints. The remarkably long duration over which St John Joseph of the Cross followed them is what strikes one. For a Lenten period of 40 days, one thinks these days is a lot, what about thirty years as St John Joseph of the Cross did?
St. John Joseph’s mortification allowed him to be the kind of forgiving superior as intended by Saint Francis. Self-denial should lead us to charity – not bitterness; it should help us clarify our priorities and make us more loving.
St. John Joseph is living proof of St Francis’ observation, “For One in such a lofty position to stoop so low is a marvel that is staggering. What sublime humility and humble sublimeness, that the Lord of the Universe, the Divine Son of God, should stoop as to hide Himself under the appearance of bread for our salvation! Behold the humble way of God, my brothers. Therefore, do not hold yourselves to be anything of yourselves, so that you may be entirely acceptable to One Who gives Himself entirely to you.” — St Francis of Assisi.
St John Joseph, pray for us that we will place our love for others above our love for ourselves. Amen.