SAINT JOHN JOFFRE GILABERT - 11 NOVEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER 

Saints celebrated on the 11th of November

SAINT JOHN JOFFRE GILABERT 

Saint John [John] Joffre Gilabert, priest from Spain, is referred to as a Dominican because he was a companion of the great Dominican Vincent Ferrer,³  and the Bollandists mention him in their short biography of St Vincent on April 5, where he is called Joffredus Blanes. Elsewhere, our Saint is referred to as Blaves¹, or Vlanes², while somewhat later he is called Gilabertus.

Originally from Valencia in Spain, he belonged to the Order of St Peter Nolasco ³ (for the ransom of captives) at first. Thrice he was sent to Africa, from where he brought back 423 captives who had been ransomed. In 1402 he became pastor of the church of St Maria de Puig (podium) near Valencia.

At what point in time he joined St Vincent Ferrer is not really stated in any of the sources. But this seems to have happened late in his life. Before and after his death many miracles happened through his intercession.

His body is kept with great honour in the sacristy of the monastery of Puig, and St John enjoys immemorial veneration there, as well as at Salamanca at the renowned college which he founded. He also built a famous infirmary at Valencia from the alms given to him.

Some calendars commemorate our Saint on September 26.

Sources the above text refers to:

¹ Sirius

² Flaminius Gottifredus

³ Marangoni

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 3, Augsburg, 1869)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint John may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.