August 29: The Passion of Saint John the Baptist, Martyr—Memorial

Read entire reflection online >>>August 29: The Passion of Saint John the Baptist, Martyr—Memorialc. 1 BC–c. 30Patron Saint of baptism, bird dealers, converts, monastic life, motorways, printers, tailors, lambs, and prisonersInvoked against epilepsy, convulsions, hailstorms, and spasmsPre-Congregation canonizationLiturgical Color: RedQuote: Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus. ~Matthew 14:3–12Prayer:Saint John the Baptist, you were given a holy mission and sanctified in the womb of your mother in preparation for that mission. You never deviated from your calling and always pointed the way to Christ, the Savior of all. Please pray for me, that I will have the same courage you had and the resolve to fulfill my duties, no matter the cost. Saint John the Baptist, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: mycatholic.lifeCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Images, pubic domain, via Wikimedia Commons – Main