Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Tuesday, June 24 from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM
On June 24, the Church celebrates the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The day is a solemnity, the highest-ranking liturgical celebration in our Church. Such is the importance of St. John the Baptist that it is only one of three birthdays the Church celebrates, the others being the Nativity of Our Lord and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. John the Baptist is important for many reasons: Born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, who had been barren for many years, his birth was miraculously announced by the Archangel Gabriel; he goes before Jesus preparing the hearts of the people for the coming of the Messiah; and he was killed for speaking the truth. John’s mission is to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord and then step aside.
