Saint John the Apostle
Feast day: December 27
Saint John the Apostle, the disciple Jesus loved, to whom Jesus entrusted Mary (27/12)
Who is he?
Saint John is one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, the younger brother of Saint James the Greater. According to tradition, he wrote the fourth Gospel and the three letters in the Bible that carry his name. Pictures and statues often show him with an eagle, because his Gospel helps us look deeply into the mystery of Jesus.
Life story
John and his older brother James were fishermen with their father, Zebedee. One day, the two brothers were mending nets in the boat when Jesus called them, and right away they left the boat and their father and followed him (cf. Mt 4:21-22).
Together with Peter and James, he was allowed to stay close to Jesus at special moments: when Jesus was transfigured on a high mountain, and when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.
John’s Gospel speaks many times of “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” and tradition says this is Saint John himself. At the Last Supper, this disciple sat right next to Jesus, leaning close to his chest (cf. Jn 13:23). When Jesus was crucified, this disciple bravely stood at the foot of the cross with Mary. Jesus said to the disciple: “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took Mary into his home (cf. Jn 19:27).
On Easter morning, hearing that the tomb was empty, this disciple ran to the tomb with Peter. He ran faster and got there first, but he waited for Peter to go in first before he went in; he “saw and believed” (cf. Jn 20:3-8).
According to tradition, he later lived for many years in the city of Ephesus, caring for the believers, and lived to an old age. Of the Twelve, he was the only one who did not die as a martyr. Tradition tells that when he was old and weak, he kept repeating just one thing: “My children, love one another.” In his letter, the Bible records a beautiful sentence: “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8).
Why is he a saint?
Saint John loved Jesus with all his heart and always stayed close to him, in joyful times and in the most painful moments. He cared for Mary as his own mother, and all his life he taught everyone that God is love and that we must love one another.
A lesson for you
- Stay close to Jesus like a best friend: talk with him every day in prayer.
- Love Mary as your own mother, and pray a Hail Mary every evening.
- Love your brothers, sisters and friends, especially when someone is sad or having a hard time.
Identifying marks
- An eagle: the symbol of Saint John the Evangelist, because his Gospel soars high like an eagle to gaze on the mystery of God.
- A Gospel book and a pen: according to tradition, he wrote the fourth Gospel.
- A young face with no beard: according to tradition, he was the youngest Apostle, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (Eastern icons often show him in old age, with a long beard).
- A red mantle over a white robe (on this card): colors often seen in Western pictures of him.
- A cup with a small snake (*): according to tradition, someone once gave him a cup of poison; he made the sign of the cross and was not harmed.
(*) Only in some pictures and statues.
The text on this page is the saint card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.
Collect this card and read more about the saints in the app