Happy Feast of St. John! St. John, the son of Zebedee and brother of James, holds a special place in the story of Jesus and the early Church. John and James were humble fishermen from Galilee who became two of Christ’s closest disciples. Often called “the beloved disciple,” John’s life and ministry were marked by extraordinary intimacy with Jesus, a deep understanding of His love, and a lifelong commitment to spreading the Gospel.
On this feast day, we celebrate the legacy of St. John, reflecting on his remarkable journey of faith and the lessons his life offers us today. His feast invites us to honor his witness and embrace the rich traditions associated with his enduring legacy.
Who Was St. John?
At the beginning of his ministry, after being tempted in the wilderness, Jesus preached a message of repentance in Galilee. Walking along the Sea of Galilee shore, he called the brothers Peter and Andrew to follow him. They left their nets and followed. Jesus then encountered John and James, preparing their nets with their father Zebedee. He called them too, and they began following him (Mark 1:12-18).
From that moment, John embarked on a journey that would include moments of great devotion and unparalleled closeness to Christ. Along with Peter and James, John was part of an inner circle of disciples who witnessed profound moments in Jesus’ ministry:
The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter: John was present when Jesus restored Jairus’ daughter to life (Mark 5:37).
The Transfiguration: On a high mountain, John saw Jesus transfigured in glory alongside Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1).
The Agony in Gethsemane: On the night of His betrayal, Jesus brought John, James, and Peter with Him to pray and keep watch in the garden (Mark 14:33).
Despite his closeness to Jesus, John wasn’t without his flaws. He and James were known as the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17), a nickname that reflected their fiery temperaments. In one memorable instance, they suggested calling down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village that refused to welcome Jesus, but He rebuked them for their rashness (Luke 9:54-55).
In Matthew 20, Salome, their mother, asked for her sons to have special places of honor in Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus asked if they could drink from his cup, and they affirmed. Jesus prophesied they would drink from his cup, but the granting of positions wasn't his decision.
John’s most significant moment of devotion came at the cross. Of all the apostles, he was the only one present at Jesus’ crucifixion. There, Jesus entrusted His mother, Mary, to John’s care, saying, “Woman, behold your son,” and to John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:26-27).
The Ministry of St. John
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, John, along with the other disciples, was taught by Jesus, watched him ascend to the Father, then waited in the upper room for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Like all the other apostles, John spent the rest of his life sharing the Gospel and leading the early church. He is believed to be the writer of the gospel of John, the Letters of John, and the Book of Revelation.
Legend has it that he traveled with Peter in Judea and then went on to Asia Minor, where he founded the seven churches mentioned in Revelation. Saint John faithfully preached the gospel for the rest of his life and was eventually exiled to the island of Patmos. He is the only disciple who did not suffer a martyr's fate.
A central theme of Saint John’s ministry and writings is the love of Christ. He writes in 1 John that “God is love, and all who live in love live in God.” He always refers to himself as the “beloved disciple,” and Saint Jerome wrote that every time Saint John was asked to preach, he would stand before the crowd and say, “Love one another. This is the Lord's command.” What a profound and simple message!
Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. John
Drink from the Saint John’s Cup. Legend has it that Saint John’s enemies presented him with a cup of poisoned wine. Before Saint John drank from the cup, he made the sign of the cross. Immediately, the cup split, the poisoned wine spilled out, and Saint John was saved.
In memory of this event, people brought their house wine to the church, and the priest blessed it. That night, the family would gather for dinner, and everyone would be given a glass of the blessed wine. The father would begin the celebration by having everyone stand with their glass of wine. He would touch his glass to his wife’s glass, look her in the eye, and say, “I drink to you the love of Saint John.” The mother would then reply, “I thank you for the love of Saint John,” and they both would take a sip of wine.
The mother would then turn to the oldest child and say, “I drink to you the love of Saint John.” The oldest child would then answer, "I thank you for the love of Saint John,” and they would both take a sip of wine. The oldest child then turned to the next oldest child, and the pattern was repeated until the youngest child faced the father, repeated the phrase, and closed the family circle.
The remaining wine would be stored away and used when a family member was sick (1 Timothy 5:23) or a time of grand celebration. Also, if a family member was about to take a trip, a few drops of the blessed wine were added to each wine glass, and the whole family would drink “the love of Saint John” again. Immediately after the wedding ceremony, the newlywed couple also drank the love of Saint John with each other.
Celebrate the day by making your own Saint John’s Wine and having your own Saint John’s Cup Ceremony.
A Blessing For the St. John’s Wine
Light the Christ candle. Begin your devotion time with the following invitation to prayer:
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
People: Who has made heaven and earth.
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Leader: Let us pray. Lord, we pray that you would bless and consecrate this cup of wine, and every drink. We pray that all who believe in you and drink of this cup may be blessed and protected. Blessed John drank poison from the cup, and was in no way harmed. So, too, may all who this day drink from this cup in honor of Blessed John, be freed from every sickness and harm.
People: Amen.
Leader: Bless, O Lord, this wine which you have made. May it be a healthful refreshment to all who drink of it. And grant by the invocation of your holy name that whoever tastes of it may, by your generosity, receive health of both soul and body, through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
the recipe -
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