On December 23 the Church honors St. John of Kanty (1390-1473), the Polish secular priest and professor at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, who is one of the most beloved saints of Poland. Born at Kęty, near Oświęcim, on June 24, 1390, he was educated at the Jagiellonian and spent most of his life as a professor of theology there, teaching, writing, and caring for the poor. He walked to Rome four times and to Jerusalem once, on pilgrimage, carrying his baggage on his back. He died on December 24, 1473, in Krakow, and was canonized in 1767. His relics are enshrined in St. Anne's Church (Kościół św. Anny) at the Jagiellonian University — the university church and one of the most beautiful Baroque churches of Krakow. He is patron of Krakow, of teachers, and of pilgrims.
St. John of Kanty
Priest and professor of Krakow, pilgrim to Rome
🕯️ December 23
📍 1 destination 📅 Fixed annual date
