Culture

St. John of Kety, professor at the University of Krakow and parish priest

The Church celebrates on December 23, the eve of the birth of Jesus, St. John of Kety, professor and theologian at the University of Krakow in the fifteenth century, then pastor for a few years. On the same day is commemorated St. Victoria of Tivoli, virgin and martyr of the third century, not to be confused with St. Victoria of Cordoba, also a martyr (November 17).      

Francisco Otamendi-December 23, 2024-Reading time: < 1 minute
Young people carry the Cross of WYD Krakow 2016, in Poland.

The Cross of WYD Krakow 2016, in Poland, carried by young people.

St. John of Kety or Kanty (1390-1473), so called in allusion to his birthplace in Poland, also known as St. John Cantius, was a Polish priest and theologian who taught for many years at the University of Krakow or Jagielloniki, in whose Faculty of Theology he studied in the twentieth century, until his priestly ordination in 1946, St. John Paul II. In fact, the Polish Pope was very devoted to St. John of Kety.

The professor was esteemed for his austerity and his love for the poor and sick people. When he became a university professor, every day he would give lunch to a poor person. He would say: "Jesus Christ is coming". Pope Francis, in a message sent in 2022 to the Grand Chancellor of the John Paul II Pontifical University in Krakow, said that its history is marked by scientific and educational achievements and the "spirituality created by its holy founders, professors and students".

Saint Victoria (III century), was a young Christian martyr of Tivoli, near Rome, it seems that sister of Saint Anatolia. She did not want to marry or sacrifice to idols, and an executioner plunged a knife into her heart.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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