Saint John of Sahagún
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| Saint John of Sahagún | |
| Feast Day | June 12 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Salamanca, Spain (city and diocese), Candon City, Philippines, Toledo, Spain |
| Birthplace | Sahagún, León, Spain |
| Death Place | Salamanca, Spain |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes or poisoning |
| Primary Shrine | Salamanca Cathedral, Salamanca, Spain |
Saint John of Sahagún (AD 1419 – June 11, AD 1479), also known as John of Saint Facundo or John González de Castrillo, was a saint, Spanish Augustinian friar, priest, and preacher renowned for his peacemaking, social reform, and devotion to the Eucharist. Born in Sahagún, León, Spain, to wealthy parents, John González de Castrillo and Sancha Martínez, he was educated by Benedictine monks. Ordained a priest in AD 1445 by Bishop Alfonso de Cartagena of Burgos, he rejected multiple benefices due to Church law violations, retaining only the chaplaincy of Saint Agatha. He studied theology and canon law at the University of Salamanca (AD 1456–1460), preaching against the sins of nobles and commoners alike. Joining the Augustinian Order in AD 1463, he served as prior and novice master, brokering a AD 1476 peace treaty among Salamanca’s feuding nobles. His bold sermons, like those of Saint John Chrysostom, led to enemies, and he may have been poisoned for condemning immorality. He died in Salamanca on June 11, AD 1479, possibly of natural causes or poisoning. Beatified in AD 1601 by Pope Clement VIII and canonized in AD 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII, his feast day is June 12, or June 11 in the Roman Martyrology. He is patron of Salamanca (city and diocese), Candon City, Philippines, and Toledo, Spain.[1][2]
His relics are venerated in Salamanca Cathedral, with others in Spain, Belgium, and Peru. Miracles attributed to him include rescuing a child from a well and healing the Duke of Alba. His sermons promoted workers’ rights and reconciled factions, echoing the missionary zeal of Saint James of Nisibis. His Eucharistic visions and gift of reading souls drew comparisons to Saint John Chrysostom’s preaching legacy.[3][4]
Biography
Birth
Saint John was born in AD 1419 in Sahagún, León, Spain, the eldest of seven children to John González de Castrillo and Sancha Martínez, born after 16 years of their prayers for a child. Raised in a wealthy, pious family, he showed early signs of sanctity.[1][5]
Early Life
John received his education from Benedictine monks at the Royal Monastery of Saint Benedict in Sahagún, known as Spain’s Cluny. He received the tonsure young, and his father secured him benefices, including Dornillos. Under Bishop Alfonso de Cartagena (AD 1435–1456), he was ordained in AD 1445, becoming a canon and majordomo, but resigned most benefices to comply with Church law, keeping only Saint Agatha’s chaplaincy.[2][6]
Occupation
John was a priest, Augustinian friar, and preacher. After studying at Salamanca (AD 1456–1460), he preached at Saint Bartholomew’s chapel, denouncing sins of all classes, including the Duke of Alba’s oppression. Joining the Augustinians in AD 1463, he made his profession on August 28, AD 1464, serving as prior (AD 1471–1473, AD 1477–1479) and novice master. His peacemaking culminated in a AD 1476 treaty among Salamanca’s nobles.[1][7]
Vocation
John’s vocation was preaching, reconciliation, and Eucharistic devotion. Like Saint John Chrysostom, he fearlessly criticized vice, risking assassination. His sermons reformed Salamanca’s morals, defended workers, and ended feuds. His Eucharistic visions, where the Host glowed, and his ability to read souls aided confessions. His ascetic life and charity to the poor echoed Saint James of Nisibis’s missionary fervor. He may have been poisoned for converting a nobleman from sin, earning a martyr’s crown.[3][4]
Death
John died on June 11, AD 1479, in Salamanca, Spain, aged 60, possibly of natural causes or poisoning by a noblewoman whose lover repented after John’s preaching. Buried in Salamanca, his remains rest in Salamanca Cathedral, with relics in Belgium and Peru. His death, possibly martyrdom, followed months of suffering borne patiently.[1][5]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
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Death location: None
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
John’s recognition as a Servant of God began post-mortem, with his cult spreading across Spain, fueled by miracles and his biography by John of Seville (late 15th century).[2]
Venerable
No formal Venerable declaration was recorded, as his sainthood predates modern processes. His popularity in Salamanca supported early veneration.[1]
Beatification
John was beatified on June 19, AD 1601, by Pope Clement VIII, based on his miracles, including rescuing a child from a well.[3][8]
Canonization
Canonized on October 16, AD 1690, by Pope Alexander VIII, his feast was set for June 12 by Pope Benedict XIII in AD 1729, as June 11 honors Saint Barnabas. The Roman Martyrology lists June 11.[1][7]
Miracles
Miracles include rescuing a child from a well by raising the water level, healing the Duke of Alba after repentance, and posthumous intercessions, supporting his canonization.[3]
Miracle for beatification
The well miracle, where John’s prayer saved a child, was key for his AD 1601 beatification.[8]
Miracle for canonization
Posthumous healings and the Duke’s recovery were cited for his AD 1690 canonization.[3]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
John is patron of Salamanca (city and diocese), Candon City, Philippines, and Toledo, Spain, for his peacemaking and defense of the poor.[9]
Feast day
His feast day is June 12 in the Roman Calendar, June 11 in the Roman Martyrology, due to Saint Barnabas’s precedence.[1][7]
Veneration
John is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church, with devotion in the Eastern Orthodox and Anglican Communions. Pilgrimages to Salamanca Cathedral honor his relics. His image, with a chalice and radiant host, adorns churches like Saint John de Sahagun Church in Candon City. Feast day liturgies highlight his Eucharistic devotion, akin to Saint John Chrysostom’s. His peacemaking and charity resonate with Saint James of Nisibis’s legacy.[10][4]
Books
Written about the saint
- Lives of the Saints, Vol. VI by Alban Butler[2]
- Acta Sanctorum, June III by Bollandists[1]
- Vida de San Juan de Sahagún by T. Cámara y Castro[11]
Written by the saint
- None attributed; John’s sermons were not preserved in written form.[2]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "John of Sahagún". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Sahag%C3%BAn.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "St. John of Sahagun". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08478a.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Saint John of Sahagun". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-juan-de-sahagun/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "San Juan de Sahagún, apostle of peace and of the Eucharist". Augustinian Order. 2024-08-06. https://www.augustinianorder.org/en/saints/saint-john-of-sahagun.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Saint John of Sahagún". Brigade of St. Ambrose. https://brigadeofstambrose.com/st-john-of-sahagun/.
- ↑ "St. John of Sahagun". Catholic Online. 2000-06-11. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=413.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "June 12 - Saint John of Sahagún". The Augustinians. 2023-06-01. https://augustinian.org/2023/06/01/june-12-saint-john-of-sahagun/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "St. John of Sahagun". Catholic.net. https://catholic.net/op/articles/413.
- ↑ "St. John of Sahagun". AnaStpaul. 2017-06-12. https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/12/saint-of-the-day-11-june-saint-juan-de-sahagun-oesa-1419-1479/.
- ↑ "St John de Sahagun Church". Tripadvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1979430-d15535009-Reviews-St_John_de_Sahagun_Church-Candon_City_Ilocos_Region_Luzon.html.
- ↑ "Sahagún, John of, St.". Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/sahagun-john-st.