THE CATHOLIC FEAST
DATE: MARCH 27
FEAST NAME:
SAINT JOHN OF EGYPT
BORN: c.305 at Assiut, Egypt
DIED: 394 of Natural Causes
CANONIZED: Pre-Congregation
HIS LIFE PROFILE
A man who desired to be alone with God was to become one of the most famous hermits of his time. Saint John of Egypt was born around 304. Not much is known about his childhood except that he learned the carpenter’s trade.
When he was twenty–five, John decided to leave the world for good to spend his life in prayer and sacrifice for God. He became one of the famous desert hermits of that time.
For ten years he was the disciple of an elderly hermit. This holy man taught him all about the spiritual life. John called him his “spiritual father.”
After the older monk’s death, John spent four or five years in various monasteries. He wanted to become familiar with the way monks pray and live.
Finally, John found a cave high in the rocks. The area was quiet and protected from the desert sun and winds. He divided the cave into three parts: a living room, a workroom and a little chapel.
People in the area brought him food and other necessities. Many also came to seek his advice about important matters. Even Emperor Theodosius asked his advice twice, in 388 and in 392.
Such well–known saints as Augustine and Jerome wrote about the holiness of Saint John. When so many people came to visit him, some men became his disciples. They stayed in the area and built a hospice, a place where travelers could stay. They took care of the hospice so that more people could come to benefit from the wisdom of this hermit.
Saint John was able to prophesy future events. He could read the thoughts of those who came to see him. When he applied blessed oil on those who had a physical illness, they were often cured.
Even when John became famous, he kept humble and led a strict life. He died peacefully in 394 at the age of ninety.
According to Butler, John prayed incessantly, and he spent the last three days of his life without food or drink or any interactions but prayer. He was discovered in his cell, with his body in a position of prayer.
LESSON
In his footsteps, Saint John of Egypt teaches us how important it is for us to desire to be with God in prayers all the time.
SAINT JONH OF EGYPT,
PRAY FOR US.
AMEN!
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