June 12: Saint John of Sahagun

Today, June 12, we celebrate the feast day of Saint John of Sahagun (1419-1479), Spanish preacher, Augustinian friar, visionary, and protector of the faith. Saint John is remembered for his charity, social justice, and ceaseless preaching against immorality and vice—a mission which eventually cost him his life.


Born to a wealthy family in Sahagun, Leon (Spain), Saint John is considered one of several patron saints of infertility. His parents, who had tried for nearly 16 years to conceive, were so grateful for a son they committed him to the Lord. Following their gracious gift of life, his parents conceived and raised six more children! Saint John was recognized for his piety and charity from an early age, giving away all that he had, and dedicating himself to helping others. He was educated by Benedictine monks at Fagondez Abbey in his home town, and was ordained a priest at age 26. While he was entitled to revenues from several organizations, given his ecclesiastical appointments, John gave all of them away to the poor, preferring to live in poverty.

As a priest, John felt compelled to undertake all the necessary work himself: preparing the chapel, celebrating Mass, preaching, teaching, ministering to the poor—all the while living an austere life of poverty, self-sacrifice, and prayer. In his humility, he felt that he was unskilled and needed more theological education to confront the immorality, sin, and vice he observed around him. Receiving permission, he studied at the University of Salamanca, and following a grave illness and surgery, re-committed his life to the Lord by joining the Augustinian Order. He eventually went on to serve as Definitor of his province, and Prior of the Order. As prior, Saint John undertook a reformation in Salamanca, confronting and eradicating vices, which proved very successful. It succeeded, not simply because he himself was well informed, wise, and eloquent, but because he upheld in his own life the high ideas that he preached to others.

His sermons against sinful living conditions, and in support of the rights and dignity of workers brought him great opposition of some local leaders. He became known as an outstanding preacher, whose style, clarity, sincerity, and integrity attracted large crowds and created many opportunities for conversion. To the Duke of Alba, who complained of John's stern denunciation of the sins of nobility and commoners alike form the pulpit, John replied: "It is becoming of Your Grace to know that a preacher must be prepared in his soul to speak the truth, both in denouncing and correcting shortcomings and in praising virtue, to such a point that he is willing in that cause even to face death." Incensed, the duke hired assassins to stop Saint John’s preaching, but upon recognizing John's holiness, they repented, confessing and begging forgiveness—which he freely gave. The duke later fell ill, and was healed by John's prayers, himself repenting and renouncing his former ways.

Saint John was acclaimed by the people of Salamanca as a wise and prudent confessor, an effective reconciler of feuding families, and a champion of the rights of workers. A contemporary, when asked about Saint John, explained: “If you ask me about the actions of Friar John, with regard to the poor and afflicted, exploited widows and children, the needy and the sick, I would have to say that he was naturally compelled to help them all in word and in deed. He was particularly interested in leading all to peace and harmony, and putting an end to hostility. Living in Salamanca, where the entire city was split into factions, he succeeded in preventing much bloodshed.”

Saint John is especially remembered for his devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and the hours he spent in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This overwhelming love of the Eucharist was often apparent as he celebrated Mass. While doing so, Saint John often enjoyed the sight of Jesus in glory, becoming enraptured in ecstasy, and holding conversations with Him. For this reason, the Masses he celebrated were oftentimes much longer than his contemporaries which caused his congregation to complain. Only after explaining the miraculous occurrences he experienced during the Consecration was he allowed to continue celebrating Mass by his superiors.

Saint John of Sahagun was considered a saint while he was alive, especially by his brethren, whom he led by example. His obedience to the Lord was such that he, himself, was a great leader. He literally practiced what he preached, never shying away from confrontation of sin, and exacting great acts of penance and mortification upon himself if he perceived a slight moment of disobedience. His piety, and model manner of living, eventually led to his death. Following bringing the sins of a nobleman engaged in an illicit affair to his attention, the man repented, so moved by John’s conviction and peaceful demeanor. His partner in sin was so angered, she administered a lethal dose of poison to Saint John, who suffered without complaint for months prior to his eventual death.

Saint John’s remains are preserved in the cathedral of Salamanca. He is honored as the patron of the city and diocese of Salamanca. A great many striking miracles have been recorded while he was alive, at his tomb following his death, and remotely by the simple invocation of his name. We remember today, the legacy that Saint John leaves us with: a tireless and self-sacrificing call of accountability to our Christian sisters and brothers. Saint John never backed away from helping those in need, either through charity and self-sacrifice, or through the more difficult pointing out of areas in need of improvement in the lives of those he encountered. As members of the community, we are called to do the same, providing support and encouragement to our brothers and sisters, but also by gently illuminating the sin that creeps into our lives so that we may confront and eradicate it. Saint John of Sahagun, pray for us!


Inspired by the origins and spiritual history of the Holy Rosary, we continue our meditation on the psalms, one each day, in order, for 150 days.


Today’s Psalm: Psalm 49: The Vanity of Worldly Riches


1 Hear this, all you peoples;
listen, all who live in this world,
2 both low and high,
rich and poor alike:
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
the utterance from my heart will give understanding.
4 I will turn my ear to a proverb;
with the harp I will expound my riddle:
5 Why should I fear when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers surround me-
6 those who trust in their wealth
and boast of their great riches?
7 No man can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for him-
8 the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough-
9 that he should live on forever
and not see decay.
10 For all can see that wise men die;
the foolish and the senseless alike perish
and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their tombs will remain their houses forever,
their dwellings for endless generations,
though they had named lands after themselves.
12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure;
he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
14 Like sheep they are destined for the grave,
and death will feed on them.
The upright will rule over them in the morning;
their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions.
15 But God will redeem my life from the grave;
he will surely take me to himself.
16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,
when the splendor of his house increases;
17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies,
his splendor will not descend with him.
18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed—
and men praise you when you prosper-
19 he will join the generation of his fathers,
who will never see the light of life .
20 A man who has riches without understanding
is like the beasts that perish.




Day 163 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Deep relationships of Christian accountability; Eradication of sinfulness and vice in our lives; For those who are struggling with conception, adoption, or child-rearing.
Requested Intentions: For healing of a stomach illness (L); For the repose of the soul of a sister (C); Vocational security for family, Financial security for daughter beginning college (M); Vocational guidance, courage and strength (I); Reconciliation of a relationship (M); Strength, financial security, motivation, repose of a loved one (V); Recovery of left shoulder fracture (E); Financial recovery (A); The repose of a lonely soul (L); Health for an ailing nephew (A); Those suffering from depression (J); Successful adoption (S); Healing of a father battling cancer (S).
Psalm: Psalm 49: The Vanity of Worldly Riches