St. John Joseph of the Cross

St. John Joseph of the Cross was born in the island of Ischia, which is very close to Naples. He was born under the name of Carlo Gaetano Calosinto, and he was said to be a person who showed virtue ever since a young age. When he had turned 16 years old he decided that he was called to join the Franciscan order, he served for a total of three years then later founded a monastery in Piedmont, Italy. St. John Joseph of the Cross also became a priest out of obedience and kept his knowledge of moral theology. He later built another convent after getting support from his superior and he created rules for the community that were also approved and confirmed by the Holy See. He would eventually become the Master of Novices. He would work very attentively and hard to establish the branch of his order in Italy which had been separated from the one in Spain. Throughout his work he had endured much suffering but he never let that stop him. He would eventually succeed in his work due to all the hard work he had done, and prayers he did which guided him to be successful. He was a person who showed much humility and discipline both through his work and religious life. He ended up getting apoplexy and he died in his convent which was in Naples, on March 5 1734. His feast day is celebrated on March 5th.

Prayer to St. John Joseph of the Cross:

St. John Joseph of the Cross, intercede for us that we may be able to have the wisdom to be humble, to have the strength to do God’s will even if it means we have to endure pain, to be selfless so we may give up everything we have to help the poor and vulnerable, and to be more merciful and understanding to others. Help us to humble ourselves so that we may realize that we are nothing without Christ and so that we may allow him into our hearts so that we may be guided by his love and light so that we may guide more souls to his kingdom.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen