Saint John the Evangelist
Saint John was the favorite disciple of Jesus and deserved to be so. The choice which Our Lord made of him, the endearments, the communication of secrets and the signal gift He made to him of His Mother show that he possessed this favor. His purity, his attachment to Our Savior and the services which his Master foresaw he would render to Him show that he deserved it. Saint John was a virgin; the frequent use of the sacraments, represented by the repose of Saint John on the bosom of his Master; constancy amid afflictions; Saint John stood at the foot of the Cross of his dying Savior; tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin; Saint John had the happiness of receiving her for his Mother. Let us use the like means to become the favorites of Jesus Christ.
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Feast Day: 27 December
Apostle, Evangelist, The Beloved Disciple
Identity & Role in the Church
- Son of Zebedee, brother of St. James the Greater.
- One of Jesus’ inner circle (Peter, James, John).
- Traditionally identified as the “beloved disciple.”
- Eyewitness to Christ’s life, death, and Resurrection.
- Author of the Gospel of John, three Epistles, and Revelation (traditional attribution).
Key Moments in His Life
- Called by Jesus while mending nets with his father at the Sea of Galilee.
- Nicknamed a “Son of Thunder” for his youthful zeal.
- Present at:
- The Raising of Jairus’ daughter
- The Transfiguration
- The Agony in the Garden
- Only apostle at the Crucifixion, standing with Mary. Jesus entrusted His Mother to John: “Behold your mother.”
- First to reach the empty tomb and to believe in the Resurrection.
Liturgical Significance (27 December)
The feast occurs within the Octave of Christmas, highlighting John’s witness to the Word made flesh.
Mass Propers include:
- Entrance Antiphon: “This is John, who reclined on the Lord’s breast at supper…”
- Collect: O God, who through the blessed Apostle John have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word, grant, we pray, that we may grasp with proper understanding what he has so marvelously brought to our ears.
- Communion Antiphon: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us… (Jn 1:14).
Symbolism & Patronage
- Symbol: Eagle — representing the soaring theological vision of his Gospel.
- Patron: Theologians, writers, and those seeking deeper contemplation of Christ.
Spiritual Themes for Catholic Schools & Parishes
- Contemplation of Christ — John reveals Jesus’ divinity with clarity and beauty.
- Witness & Evangelization — His Gospel proclaims the Word made flesh.
- Love & Fidelity — John models steadfast love at the Cross.
- Marian devotion — As Mary’s guardian, he embodies filial devotion to the Mother of God.
1227 St John Evangelist 2p LETTER 20251127 Prayer to St. John the Apostle
O God, who through the blessed Apostle John have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word, grant, we pray, that we may grasp with proper understanding what he has so marvelously brought to our ears. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
A Prayer to St. John the Evangelist the, for an Ardent Love to Jesus and Mary
O Glorious Saint John, you were so loved by Jesus that you merited to rest your head upon his breast, and to be left in his place as a son to Mary. Obtain for us an ardent love for Jesus and Mary. Let me be united with them now on earth and forever after in heaven.
A Prayer to St. John the Apostle, for a Burning love for Jesus
O Glorious Apostle, who, on account of your virginal purity, was most beloved by Jesus as to deserve to lay your head upon His divine breast, and to be left, in His place, as son to His most holy Mother; I beg you to inflame within me a true and ardent love towards Jesus and Mary. Obtain for me from our Lord that I, too, with a heart purified from earthly affections, may be made worthy to be ever united to Jesus as a faithful disciple, and to Mary as a devoted son, both here on earth and eternally in heaven. Amen. St. John, the beloved disciple of our Lord, pray for us.
Prayer for Parents to St. John
St. John, chosen and favored disciple of our Lord, selected as the son of His sorrowful Mother, how great your privilege of being allowed to repose on the bosom of Jesus at the Last Supper, and to stand beneath the cross, there to receive Mary for your spiritual Mother! O happy disciple! How did you deserve such great prerogatives and favors? The whole Christian Church knows and acknowledges that it was your carefully guarded virginal purity which made you worthy of the special love of Jesus Christ; and that it was your ardent love and filial reverence toward His Blessed Mother that strengthened your heart to persevere to the end in the way of His holy cross.
O happy child of our dear Lady, how greatly I desire that my children and I may resemble you in purity of heart, in love for Jesus, and in devotion towards His Virgin Mother! In you do we place our trust. You will obtain for us this threefold grace. By your intercession you will dispose the Divine Mercy to pour out these graces into our hearts also. You are so highly favored by our Divine Master, He can refuse you nothing, least of all the graces He has so lavishly bestowed upon you. We confidently hope for these graces through your intercession, O chaste disciple of Jesus and devoted son of Mary! When you have obtained them for us, you must likewise watch over them, that we may never again lose them during our whole life. O pure St. John, obtain our request for the honor of Jesus and Mary and your own eternal praise!
Amen.
Novena To Saint John
My most loving Saint, St. John the Apostle,
behold me kneeling at thy feet,
beseeching thee with all the affection of my heart
to grant me thy special protection,
particularly when in danger of offending God.
O my dear and holy advocate,
remember me before the throne of the most holy Trinity,
and obtain for me from the infinite goodness of God,
the virtues of humility, purity, obedience,
and the grace to fulfill exactly the duties of my state.
Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…
O my dear Saint, St. John the Apostle,
I renew to the Lord, through thee,
the holy resolutions which I have frequently made
of intending to love and serve Him faithfully.
I am resolved to detach myself from every earthly thing,
and I desire ardently to unite myself to Him,
as my first beginning, last end, and sovereign good.
My dear Saint, I beseech thee to offer to the most holy Trinity
the sacrifice of my whole being,
particularly of my judgment and will,
in order to conform fully to God most holy,
because I desire nothing else besides His grace
and His holy love.
Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…
My sweet and holy Protector, St. John the Apostle,
behold me again full of love for thee and full of confidence,
beseeching thee to cast thyself on thy knees
before the throne of the most holy Trinity,
and entreat most ardently that God,
through His infinite goodness,
may grant me the grace to fly sin,
and the gift of final perseverance.
Thou knowest, O my dear St. John the Apostle,
how great are the temptations to which man is subject,
and how continual are the perils I run of being lost;
do thou assist me with thy efficacious prayers.
Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…
Saint John the Apostle, Pray for us.
Saint John the Apostle, Pray for us.
Saint John the Apostle, Pray for us.
Prayer to St. John as your Patron Saint
Saint John, whom I have chosen as my special patron, pray for me that I, too, may one day glorify the Blessed Trinity in heaven. Obtain for me your lively faith, that I may consider all persons, things, and events in the light of almighty God. Pray, that I may be generous in making sacrifices of temporal things to promote my eternal interests, as you so wisely did.
Set me on fire with a love for Jesus, that I may thirst for His sacraments and burn with zeal for the spread of His kingdom. By your powerful intercession, help me in the performance of my duties to God, myself and all the world.
Win for me the virtue of purity and a great confidence in the Blessed Virgin. Protect me this day, and every day of my life. Keep me from mortal sin. Obtain for me the grace of a happy death.
Amen.
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