(taken from Society of St. John Cantius newsletter Via Sacra, Vol.1, Issue 2, May 25, 1999)
Saint John from Kenty, patron of our religious community, lived in times not unlike our own. Although not as intense as the cultural crisis of the late twentieth century, his time was nonetheless as period of tension and sweeping change. As for us, it was a time of crisis as well as reform in the realms of culture, politics and religion.
In Europe of the fifteenth century, the Church was still reeling from the effects of the western schism. The emergence of antipopes divided the allegiances of Catholics. Criticism of Church authority led to the support of conciliarism, which asserted that the only solution to the Church's problems was submission of the Pope to the authority of Church councils.
Many philosophers wished to separate the Church from the realm of learning, some mystics wished to separate piety from a search for the truth, Hussite heretics wished to detach the Church from all temporal matters, and academics defended the rights of pagans and schismatics, under the banner of freedom of conscience. The similarity to our time is uncanny.
However, even amidst such sentiments among many of his colleagues at the Krakovian Academy, St. John from Kenty stood firm in his loyalty to the Roman Pontiff and the timeless teachings of the Church.
Despite the turmoil, it was also a period of renewal within the Church. St. John stood out as one of a number of mystics in fifteenth-century Krakow who were influenced by devotio moderna—a contemporary Dutch movement, which encouraged lay people to a life of individual piety through reflection on the Gospels, personal consecration, and works of mercy. It also promoted a renewed devotion to the Eucharist through the practice—considered revolutionary for the time—of frequent reception of Confession and Holy Communion.
The influence of this movement on the Master from Kenty may explain why, among the numerous manuscripts produced by this seasoned scholar, we find no great theological or mystical treatises. One trait characteristic of devotio moderna was that it did not encourage the writing of such works as was popular in that day. It called rather for a humble silence and renunciation of the unnecessary praise from others, that such works would have entailed.
What the Master from Kenty did leave us, however, were many volumes of transcribed manuscripts, as well as practical commentaries on morality and faith.
St. John from Kenty didn't found a school of mysticism or live in a monastery but in a manner unique for his day, he demonstrated how one could live the gospel in everyday life through service to the Church and one's fellow man. He drew constant inspiration from a deep devotion to Christ's Passion and a profound love of our Savior's Blessed Mother.
So exemplary was he, that two centuries later Pope Clement XIII wrote for his canonization that the Saint from Kenty "belonged to a group of outstanding men, distinguished by knowledge and holiness, who both taught and put into practice, as well as defended, the true faith which was under attach by its enemies."
Novenas preceded celebrations honoring John from Kenty, first of all, constituted a spiritual preparation for the observance of the anniversary of the saint's death (dies natalis), ie. December 24. That holiday was solemnly observed from time immemorial--as stated by a document from the time of Bl. John from Kenty's canonization (Congregatione Sacrorum Rituum ..., Romae 1675, s.90).
1. The celebration of St. John Cantius, the patron and native son of the Kraków Archdiocese, can be preceded by a novena, which should begin October 11 and be conducted during Rosary services (in place of the prayer to St. Joseph).
2. In centers of special devotion to St. John from Kenty (ie. Kenty, the parish of St. Anne in Kraków, churches under the patronage of this saint) one should attempt to maintain a solemn character for the novena, combining it with Holy Mass and a sermon. Also, wherever a thriving devotion to St. John Cantius exists, a perpetual Thursday novena is recommended. During that time, only if liturgical rubrics allow for it, a votive Mass for St. John Cantius should be said (see the order of the Mass for St. John Cantius).
3. The proposed intentions for the individual days of the novena listed below can be supplemented with prayers which take into consideration local needs and matters entrusted to the patronage of St. John Cantius (ie. prayers for the intention of professors, academicians, teachers and educators, students, children and youth, as well as the sick, those suffering from impoverishment, etc.).
Almighty God, One and Only, in the Most Holy Trinity, from the depths of our hearts we desire above all to give thanks for countless graces and for all that we have received from Your generous hand.
Father most kind, we stand before You with childlike faith and trust. Along with the gift of ourselves we bring to You our joy, which flows from the small victories along the road of our daily struggles with the world around us.
God, the Holy Spirit, enlighten our thoughts and our hearts. Show us the path marked out for our life and do not allow us to ever stray from that path by choosing wrongly from among those choices offered to us everyday by life.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, we offer You our difficulties, sufferings, and all adversities, which constitute the pain of life. We join them with Your Cross as an expression of our gratitude for Your Passion and Death, and as proof of our solidarity with the Most Sorrowful Blessed Mother, who for us and in our name stood beneath the Cross on Golgotha.
We do this in our own name and with thought of those for whom today we wish to pray.
Lord God, through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, grant us our requests. Reject not our petitions.
St. John Cantius, be our confidant at the side of God. Fervently, we ask you to take us under your care. Obtain for us from the Throne of grace those indispensable gifts, without which we would be unable to fulfill those tasks, which God has given to us in His age-old plan.
We ask of you today, to obtain for us from God, that special favor, which we so fervently desire ... and above all, the remission of our sins, a continuation in His grace, and a happy death. Amen.
Our Father, ... ; Hail Mary, ... ; Glory Be ....
St. John Cantius, pray for us.
Lord Jesus Christ, You said: "If you will have faith the size of a mustard seed," you will be able to conquer all the obstacles of life. Humbly we beseech Thee, bestow upon us the grace of fervent faith and grant, that by imitating St. John from Kenty, we would place in You our hope for the life of this world, and that we would be rewarded in eternity for fidelity to Your teaching. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
[After each petition, say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be 3 times, followed by the Litany to St. John Cantius.]
Lord Jesus Christ, "enduring in prayer," You gave Your disciples an example of how they were to worship the Father, and You bestowed upon St. John from Kenty the singular gift of contemplation. Grant, that we would unceasingly praise You, and by imitating the humble life of our Patron, could through his powerful intercession gain help in all our spiritual needs and remain faithful in the face of the adversities of life. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You taught us through your Apostle: "Love each other mutually with brotherly love." We humbly ask You, through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, untiring advocate of the Gospel of love, that we more perfectly love our brothers as you loved us. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You told us: "Do penance, for the Kingdom of heaven has drawn near." Grant that we would through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, who distinguished himself by a singular devotion to the Lord's Passion, perform acts of penance and recognize them as the path to exoneration, which brings us closer to a joyful eternity. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You told us: let the will of the Heavenly Father "be done on earth as it is in heaven." Grant, that by following the example of St. John from Kenty, we would cherish the humble and meek fulfillment of Your will and in that manner proclaim the glory of Your name. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, in giving the example of the Good Samaritan, You told us: "Go and do the same." Likewise, St. John from Kenty, by his conduct, proclaimed the Gospel of mercy to prisoners, beggars, and all in need. Grant, that by his example, we may fulfill the fundamental law of the Last Judgement: "Whatever you did for the least of my brethren you did unto Me." Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, through Your Apostle You reminded us, that in the world we are Your letter "written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God." We ask, that through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, you give us the grace of Christian witness, so that as "a living tablet" we would open to the world our hearts filled to overflowing with the Spirit of God and in that manner bear witness to Your presence in the human family. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You told us: "Beseech therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest." Grant we ask, through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, who performed his priestly duties with such great fervor, that the Holy Mother Church would never lack worthy laborers in Your Vineyard. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You told us: "He who does not carry his cross and follow Me, cannot be my disciple." We implore Thee, that through the intercession of St. John from Kenty, who distinguished himself by a special love of the mystery of the Holy Cross, as well as by a devotion to the Most Sorrowful Mother, we would follow the example of Your servant by pondering the mystery of Your Passion and Death, and in that manner learn of love and attain the glory of the resurrection. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Kyrie eleison—Christe eleison. Christ, hear us—Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven—have mercy on us. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, God, the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, One God, Holy Mary, pray for us. St. John Cantius, Faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Fervent disciple and advocate of the Gospel of Christ, Venerator of the Lord's Passion, Exemplary shepherd of Jesus Christ's flock, Venerator of the Most Holy Mother of God, Venerator of St. Anne, Zealous imitator of the saints, Lover of souls redeemed with Christ's Blood, Pride and patron of the priesthood, Father of the poor, Exemplar of Christian kindness, Teacher and model of evangelical mercy, Defender of those suffering injustice, Refuge of the afflicted, Protector of prisoners, Patron and guardian of pilgrims, Great worker of miracles, Healer of the sick, Restorer of sight to the blind, Refuge for those drowning, Consolation and deliverance of the dying, Advocate of God's justice, Intercessor for sinners before God, Patron of his Polish homeland, Patron of the city of Kraków, Pride of the Krakovian Academy, Luminous model of the academic profession, Patron of teachers, Guardian of those engaged in academic work, Teacher of truth, Refuge in all our needs, Joyful with the chosen ones in heaven, Have mercy on us, spare us, O Lord. Have mercy on us, graciously hear us, O Lord.
That the ever merciful God would deign to impart upon us the gift of Christian wisdom, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to renew in us the spirit of devoted love toward our brothers, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to fill our souls with the grace of sanctification, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to preserve us from spiritual perils, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to extend His hand to help us in adversities and temporal hardships, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to strengthen and increase the spirit of brotherly love and unity in the Holy Church, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to preserve our Homeland in peace and bless her, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to strengthen our families in mutual fidelity and love, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to surround our children and youth with special care, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to strengthen college students in a faithfulness to the Gospel and a Christian outlook, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That He would deign to give them the spirit of wisdom and fidelity to the truth, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, That the Almighty God would deign to endow all the faithful with the grace of perseverance, and those that have strayed from Him with the grace of conversion and penance, St. John Cantius, intercede for us, Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Pray for us, O Saint John Cantius, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, O God, our merciful Father, through the intercession of St. John Cantius, priest, to answer our prayers and deign to endow with Thy grace and blessing all who turn to Thee in confidence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.