Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Scientists
Saint John of Kanty
Priest († 1473) Feast: December 23
“Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause.” John (or Jan) was born in Kanty, Poland, in 1390. He attended university in Kraków. Recognized as an exceptional intellect, he was appointed rector of a prestigious monastery school shortly after his ordination to the priesthood.
After becoming a professor of philosophy at the Jagiellonian University, he was falsely accused of some crime by envious colleagues. Without a chance to defend himself, he was removed and sent to a backwater parish. Here he served faithfully—though with little immediate success. He was careful not to complain. When he was exonerated and called back to teach in Kraków, it is said his parishioners followed him down the road begging him to remain.
John taught sacred Scripture as well as philosophy, which at the time was taken to include physics. He helped to develop Jean Buridan’s theory of impetus, a precursor to the concept of inertia. He slept on the floor, ate no meat, and devoted his income to the poor, especially poor students. After his death, he was so loved and respected that his academic gown was used for years to vest doctoral graduates. He was canonized in 1767. Saint John Paul II had a lifelong devotion to him.
Merciful Father, help us to fight error with truth,
charity, and good example.
