The great humble John

In my life I have been graced by many graces. One of them is that my ancestry comes from the splendid Island of Gozo, precisely from the adorable and oldest town of the Calypso Island, namely Xewkija. Both of my grandparents from my mother’s side and my great grandfather hail from Xewkija. Hence I have Gozitan and Xewkija’s blood running in my vains.

This is such a huge grace for me because the church, with its famous Rotunda, is dedicated to St John The Baptist, an extremely great saint. Although he was the Forerunner of the Lord yet he was so humble. So much so that he openly confessed before the crowds who heard him preaching: After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie (Mark 1:7).

John was great because his extraordinary humility, which was welling up in him since he let himself be filled by the Holy Spirit from his early days in his mum’s Elizabeth’s womb, made him declare: No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).

In front of such an incredible witness of heavenly humility I just want to praise the Lord God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and Mary, our Holy Mother,  Queen of Prophets and Martyrs with the following graces the Almighty has endowed with our dearest Patron, brother and friend St John the Baptist:

St. John the Baptist, precursor of Christ,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, glorious forerunner of the Sun of Justice,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, minister of baptism to Jesus,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, burning and shining lamp of the world,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, angel of purity before thy birth,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, special friend and favorite of Christ,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, heavenly contemplative, whose element was prayer,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, intrepid preacher of truth,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, voice crying in the wilderness,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, miracle of mortification and penance,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, example of profound humility,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, glorious martyr of zeal for God’s holy law,pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, gloriously fulfilling thy mission,pray for us.

Pray for us, O glorious St. John the Baptist,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
O God, Who hast honored this world by the birth of Saint John the Baptist, grant that Thy faithful people may rejoice in the way of eternal salvation, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Walk with us, teach us and always protect us, our dear Patron, brother, friend, life companion, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST! YOU ALWAYS WERE, ARE AND REMAIN OUR DEAR, PRECIOUS, SWEET, AND MENTOR JOHN!

 

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap