John was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age, his birth foretold by the angel Gabriel six months before the Annunciation. He lived simply in the wilderness, preached repentance, and baptized crowds in the Jordan River — including Jesus himself, whom he pointed out as the Lamb of God. He was later imprisoned and martyred by Herod Antipas.
June 24 celebrates his birth, one of only three birthdays on the Church's calendar, because his whole life was a preparing of the way for Christ. John shows us how to live pointing beyond ourselves — 'He must increase; I must decrease' — with courage, honesty, and total trust in God's promise.
Saint John the Baptist, voice crying in the wilderness, help us prepare our hearts for the Lord and point others to him by the way we live. Pray for us and for all we love.Enter today’s Mass → All saints →