BL. JOHN OF DUKLA, PRIEST AND RELIGIOUS - 29 SEPTEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 29th of September

BLESSED JOHN OF DUKLA, PRIEST AND RELIGIOUS 

A page of one of Fortunatus Hueber's
Saints' books,
"Stammenbuch..." (1693)

Blessed John of Dukla (Joannes Duclanus, Johannes de Dukla), of the Order of Saint Francis, was born at the beginning of the 15th century in Dukla, a town in Galicia. As a youth he became a Franciscan conventual, as which he distinguished himself through humility, charity, etc., and also presided over several monasteries.

At the instigation of Saint John Capistrano, however, he went over to the Observants and devoted himself even more to the virtues that he had previously practiced and loved, and cultivated and increased them. He prayed and contemplated frequently, and was often engaged in prayer deep into the night. John meditated earnestly on the suffering of our Saviour, did many penances for his sins, venerated the Blessed Virgin, never failed to show love for his neighbours, and with humility and joy fulfilled the statutes of the Order.  Among the brethren, he also had the reputation of a peacemaker.

Our Blessed preached with devotion and success, taking pains to refute the Greek and Armenian schismatics and lead them back to the Catholic Church. He was blind for the last ten years of his earthly life, but never failed to preach or hear confessions.

Having reached the age of 70, he died, complete in years and in good works, after receiving the holy Sacraments, in the presence of his chanting brothers at Lemberg (Leopolis) in Galicia on the feast of the Archangel Michael (September 29) in 1485. Immediately after his death, God testified to the holiness of his servant through many miracles. (Hub. Men.)

Blessed John of Dukla is also commemorated on July 19 and September 30.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 3, Augsburg, 1869, p. 310)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of the blessed 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.