Saint John Joseph of the Cross

"Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him."
- Saint Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582)

Today is the feast day of Saint John Joseph of the Cross. John Joseph was born in 1654 in Italy. When he was 16, John Joseph joined the Franciscans at Naples, and was the first Italian to join the reform movement of Saint Peter Alcantara. Because of his reputation for holiness, John Joseph was put in charge of establishing a new friary before he was even ordained. Later, he also became novice master, guardian, and provincial. After he finished his term as provincial, John Joseph dedicated himself to hearing confessions and practicing mortification. He died in 1734, and was canonized in 1839. 

Saint John Joseph of the Cross, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About Saint John Joseph Taken From:

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=51803152