06/22/2026
St. John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah, a Jewish priest of the order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, who bore him in their old age. Elizabeth was a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. When Mary visited Elizabeth, John leapt in her womb, reminiscing about how David leapt before the Ark of the Covenant.
Only three birthdays are celebrated on the Church’s liturgical calendar: the Nativity of Our Lord (December 25th), the Nativity of His Mother (September 8th), and the Nativity of His forerunner, John the Baptist, on June 24th.
John the Baptist was set aside and filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15). He spent his whole life leading others to Christ; his whole existence revolved around preparing the way for Christ. Finally, he was killed by Herod for witnessing the truth. This is why he is held in such high esteem in the Church. In most artwork depicting the communion of the saints in the Kingdom of God, Our Lady sits on Christ’s right, and John on his left.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us!
Feast Day: St. John the Baptist is one of the few saints who has two feast days. Each year, the Church celebrates the Nativity of St. John the Baptist on June 24th as well as the date of his martyrdom, which is on August 29th.
St. John the Baptist is the patron saint of baptism.
His relic can be found in the Sorrowful Mother Altar, number 30
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