ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

John was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, who had prayed faithfully for a child. The Angel Gabriel announced that Elizabeth would bear a son and that he would be named John. His birth was a sign of God’s grace and the fulfillment of God’s promise.

John began his public ministry in the wilderness, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River. His mission was to prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus came to be baptized, John recognized Him as the promised Savior. After Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father proclaimed Jesus as His beloved Son..

John directed his disciples toward Jesus, declaring:

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” — John 1:29

John understood that his mission was to point others toward Christ. He humbly proclaimed:

“He must increase; I must decrease.” — John 3:30

His Courage and Martyrdom

John courageously defended God’s truth, even when doing so placed his life in danger. King Herod imprisoned him because John condemned Herod’s unlawful marriage. John was eventually put to death, remaining faithful to God until the end.

Our parish bears the name of St. John the Baptist because his life reflects our calling as disciples: to prepare the way of the Lord, proclaim the Gospel, welcome others to Christ, and serve with courage and humility.

May his example help us become a faithful, prayerful, and welcoming parish community centered in Jesus Christ.

Discover the life, mission, courageous witness, and lasting legacy of St. John the Baptist—our parish patron and the forerunner who prepared the way for Jesus Christ.

St. John the Baptist’s feast day is June 24, and his death anniversary is August 29, sometimes celebrated with a second feast.

John the Baptist was a contemporary of Christ, known for evangelism and for baptizing Jesus Christ. John the Baptist was born through the intercession of God to Zachariah and Elizabeth, who were considered too old to have children. According to scriptures, the Angel Gabriel visited Elizabeth and Zachariah to tell them they would have a son and that they should name him John. Zachariah was skeptical and for this he was rendered mute until the time his son was born and named John, in fulfillment of God’s will. When Elizabeth was pregnant with John, she was visited by Mary, and John leapt in her womb. This revealed to Elizabeth that the child Mary carried was to be the Son of God. John began public ministry around 30 AD, and was known for attracting large crowds across the province of Judaea and around the Jordan River. When Jesus came to him to be baptized, John recognized him and said, “It is I who need baptism from you.”

Jesus told John to baptize Him anyway, which he did, whereupon the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God was seen like a dove. The voice of God spoke, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." John instructed his followers to turn to Christ, calling Him the “Lamb of God” and these people were among the first Christians.

Following his baptism of Christ, John’s popularity grew so much that he alarmed King Herod. Herod ordered him arrested and imprisoned.

John spoke with Herod on several occasions and condemned his marriage to his half-brother’s wife.

This condemnation would be his downfall as King Herod promised to grant a wish to his daughter. In revenge for John the Baptist’s condemnation of her mother’s scandalous marriage to Herod, she asked for John’s head. King Herod reluctantly obliged. John the Baptist died sometime between 33 and 36 AD.