SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH Saints celebrated on the 5th of March SAINT JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, ABBOT Saint John Joseph of the Cross (S. Johannes Joseph a S. Cruce) was born of the noble family of Calosirto around 1654 in the town of Ischia (Iscia) near Naples. Of his pious parents' seven children, six entered religious orders. From an early age he loved prayer, silence and solitude; and fasted in honour of Mary on bread and water every Saturday and eve of her feast days. Not yet 16 years old, he entered the Improved Order of Saint Francis (which, under Pope Clement IX, had been been introduced to Italy by Saint Peter of Alcantara), choosing the name John because he was invested on June 24, but the name Joseph because he especially venerated this saint, and "of the Cross", because already at this young age he perceived the spiritual fruits of suffering. He slept only three hours a night, drank no wine and ate no meat or fish. Through the intercession of Mary, he...

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH Saints celebrated on the 5th of March WELCOME! SAINT JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, ABBOT   Saint John Joseph of the Cross was born on the Island of Ischia, Southern Italy, 1654; he died March 5, 1739.  PRAYER AND VIRTUE From his earliest years he was given to prayer and virtue. So great was his love of poverty that he would always wear the dress of the poor, though he was of noble birth.  HE JOINED THE FRANCISCANS At the age of sixteen years he entered the Order of St Francis at Naples, amongst the Friars of the Alcantarine Reform, being the first Italian to join this reform which had been instituted in Spain by St Peter of Alcantara.  HIS AUSTERITIES Throughout his life he was given to the greatest austerity: he fasted constantly, never drank wine, and slept but three hours each night. In 1674 he was sent to found a friary at Afila, in Piedmont; and he assisted with his own hands in the building. Much against his will, he was raised...