December 27

St. John the Apostle

The "Beloved Disciple" who rested his head on Jesus's breast at the Last Supper, stood at the foot of the Cross, received Mary as his mother, and ran to the empty tomb. The only apostle not martyred, he wrote the Fourth Gospel, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation in old age in Ephesus. He is the patron saint of theologians and friendship.

Why it matters for your parish: The apostle of love — John's Gospel is the most mystical and his First Epistle the most concentrated expression of Christian love in the New Testament. His feast between Christmas and New Year carries the contemplative depth of the Christmas mystery.

Graphics for this saint are coming soon.