St. John Joseph of the Cross

John Joseph was born to a noble household on the Island of Ischia in Southern Italy in 1654. Even in childhood he was a mannequin of advantage. Though he may afford good garments, out of respect for the poor, John Joseph most well-liked to put on easy clothes. As a teen of sixteen, he entered the Franciscan Order of the Strictest Observance (the Reform of St. Peter of Alcantara). John Joseph was the primary Italian to hitch this reform, instituted in Spain. He fasted continually, abstained from wine, and slept solely three hours every night time. He had been within the order for just a little over three years when, due to his nice piety, he was despatched to determine a monastery in Piedmont. He helped construct the monastery together with his personal arms.

Although he felt unworthy, he grew to become a priest out of obedience. In 1702 he was appointed Vicar Provincial of the Alcantarine Reform in Italy. Even as superior, he nonetheless would insist on serving to with the lowliest of chores. John Joseph was blessed with the reward of prophecy and miracles and had an awesome zeal for souls. Many got here to be close to him and to ask his blessings and prayers. He had an awesome devotion and love for the Blessed Mother and strove to domesticate this devotion in others. John Joseph died in Naples on March 5, 1734. He was canonized in 1839.

Lesson

John Joseph lived the lifetime of a real Franciscan, denying himself and serving others. At the tip of his time period as provincial, he spent his time listening to confessions and practising mortification. Even in illness, he denied himself relaxation to serve others. The extra he mortified and humbled himself, the extra Christ-like he grew to become. As Jesus mentioned, “I’m amongst you as He that serves.”

Prayer

St. John Joseph, we ask in the present day on your mighty intercession, to hope for us that we study humility and search an perspective of service so we, too, might comply with within the footsteps of Jesus. In His Mighty Name we pray, Amen.

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picture: Saint John Joseph of the Cross. Engraving by Alessandri after P.A. Novelli / from Wellcome Images, a website operated by Wellcome Trust via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)