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Today is the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, a major feast (“solemnity”) in the Church year. St. John is called the Holy Forerunner and the Great Precursor, as it was prophesied in the Book of Malachi that there would come a prophet who would make straight the way of the Lord and prepare His people, as a new Elijah. For this reason John is considered the last of the old testament prophets, and a bridge between the old and new covenants. Our Lord Himself said, “Truly I say to you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist” (Matt 11:11; Luke 7:28). Though actually distant cousins, Jesus and John did not grow up knowing each other, though their mothers Mary and Elizabeth visited while both were expecting (Luke 1:39-56). At this fateful meeting, John leapt in his mother’s womb, being instantly sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and cleansed from all sin. This is why we celebrate his birth as the major feast, rather than his death, which is a lesser feast. It was John who declared Christ to be the Lord, when he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who taketh away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
Although not dogmatically defined, the Church’s tradition is that John, though conceived with original sin, was cleansed in the womb at the Visitation, which is why he leapt in his mother’s womb. As a result, he did not commit sin. This is why the Church celebrates his nativity, something she also does only for Our Lord and Our Lady. His name comes immediately after Our Lady and angels in the litany of saints, even before St. Joseph. Similarly, his name appears after Our Lady and St. Michael in the traditional Confiteor.
St. John’s feast is near summer solstice (2-3 days earlier), and a custom observed today is that of lighting of outdoor bonfires. People gather around and sing traditional songs in praise of the saint or of summer, and worn out sacramentals (damaged rosaries, scapulars, holy medals, etc.) are burned in the fire, which serves as a symbol of the one Christ Himself called “a burning and shining light” (John 5:35). During summer, the days get shorter, as did John’s light when Our Lord came; they continue to get shorter until Our Lord’s Nativity, days after the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice. St. John the Baptist is the patron of many places, including Puerto Rico and Newfoundland, whose capitals are both named for him. He is also the patron of Quebec, and of the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina.
Although not dogmatically defined, the Church’s tradition is that John, though conceived with original sin, was cleansed in the womb at the Visitation, which is why he leapt in his mother’s womb. As a result, he did not commit sin. This is why the Church celebrates his nativity, something she also does only for Our Lord and Our Lady. His name comes immediately after Our Lady and angels in the litany of saints, even before St. Joseph. Similarly, his name appears after Our Lady and St. Michael in the traditional Confiteor.
St. John’s feast is near summer solstice (2-3 days earlier), and a custom observed today is that of lighting of outdoor bonfires. People gather around and sing traditional songs in praise of the saint or of summer, and worn out sacramentals (damaged rosaries, scapulars, holy medals, etc.) are burned in the fire, which serves as a symbol of the one Christ Himself called “a burning and shining light” (John 5:35). During summer, the days get shorter, as did John’s light when Our Lord came; they continue to get shorter until Our Lord’s Nativity, days after the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice. St. John the Baptist is the patron of many places, including Puerto Rico and Newfoundland, whose capitals are both named for him. He is also the patron of Quebec, and of the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina.
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