St John Cantius Parish

Latin Classes

2008 Summer Classes are Here – TIME TO REGISTER!!

It is time to register for St. John Cantius’ Summer Latin classes. Classes start June 1, 2008, and end August 31, 2008. Except as provided below, all classes meet on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. The cost is $25.00 for the class and $25.00 for the textbook, if needed. You have always wanted a deeper appreciation of our Church’s languages and heritage. Now is your chance to begin or to continue your study of the language and history of the Church. All classes meet in the Religious Education Building at 1025 W. Fry St., Chicago, IL. Enter the building from the main entrance on Fry Street. Class information is as follows:

LATIN I: Beginner Level I (Cont. from Fall 2007)
Instructor: Joseph G. Phelps
For the complete beginner who either has not studied Latin or would like to begin again. Classes will encompass the conjugation of verbs, declension of nouns and adjectives and Latin vocabulary. The textbook is Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. Classes will be held on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. For information call Mr. Phelps at 312-236-5454 Ext. 132 or e-mail him at .

LATIN II: Beginner Level II (Cont. from Fall 2007)
Instructor: Joseph G. Phelps
Class is for those students who are familiar with rudimentary Latin, the conjugation of verbs, declension of nouns, adjectives and Latin vocabulary and have completed at least two semesters of Latin. The class will use the Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin textbook. Classes will be held on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. For information call Mr. Phelps at 312-236-5454 Ext. 132 or email him at .

SPECIAL CLASS—THE LATIN OF THE MASS
Instructor: Joseph G. Phelps
This class is for those students who are familiar with rudimentary Latin with the conjugation of verbs, declension of nouns, adjectives and Latin vocabulary and have completed at least two semesters of Latin. The class will review the Latin in selected portions of the Mass as found in the 1962 Missale Romanum. Classes will be held on Thursdays from 7:30 PM to approximately 8:30 PM commencing June 5, 2008, and concluding August 28, 2008. There is no textbook as the students will rely on handouts from the Instructor. There is no Latin translation homework as the texts will be translated in class by the Instructor. Students will be expected to memorize certain portions of the Mass each week. NB: This class is not open to the public but only only to Latin students who request admission and are approved by the Instructor. This is to keep the class size at a reasonable level and insure that the students will understand the grammar lectures. For information or to request registration call Mr. Phelps at 312-236-5454 Ext. 132 or e-mail him at .

All students for any class or program must pre-register in Café San Giovanni located in the lower level of the Church or you can send an e-mail to and we will e-mail an application to you which you can return by mail.

ATTENTION all Latin and Greek students! Check out this site. Armarium Labyrinthi: The Labyrinth Latin and Greek Bookcase

Rosary Crusade at St. John Cantius

Purpose

The purpose of the Rosary Crusade is to unite the members in prayer for a common intention. Our Lord assures his disciples: if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it shall be done for them by my Father in heaven (Matthew 19:19).

Intention

The general intention of the Rosary Crusade is the Restoration of the Sacred, the motto for the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. The impetus for the Crusade is the desire for a spiritual remedy for the scandals that have plagued the Church in recent times.

Why the Rosary?

Historically, the Rosary has been an effective weapon in defense of the truth. Almost every Pope in the last 150 years has urged its recitation. In the midst of a world at war, Pope Benedict XV requested everyone to beg Mary’s intercession through the Rosary. A week later, Mary appeared to the children at Fatima, where she identified herself as the Lady of the Rosary, and asked for recitation of the Rosary and conversion of hearts. Now, as then, this prayer is perfect because of the praise it offers, the lessons it imparts, the graces it obtains, and the victories it achieves. (Benedict XV)

How Can I Participate?

Each participant of the Rosary Crusade pledges to say one Rosary (5 decades) each week for the Crusade intentions. Currently, a core group of over 400 individuals and families have pledged to say the Rosary at various times during the week, so that it is being prayed during most of the 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week.

In addition to praying at their designated time, members come together to join in Rosary processions held at the parish throughout the year. Processions are outdoors, if weather permits. Even processions are candlelit. All are welcome to participate in honoring Our Lady in this public way.

Prayers Groups

Groups that are currently praying the Rosary or new Rosary groups may also become affiliate with the St. John Cantius Rosary Crusade as link groups. Link groups will decide on their own prayer times, but the commitment of each member should be to pray one Rosary each week for the Crusade intention.

History

The Rosary Crusade was organized at the request of the Pastor of St. John Cantius, Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. He received an enthusiastic response from parishioners and others who also felt the urgent need for this kind of prayer. The Crusade began on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July 16, 2006.

Through the Holy Rosary we can perform all of the Spiritual Works of Mercy:

Convert the sinner
Instruct the ignorant
Counsel the doubtful
Comfort the sorrowful
Bear wrongs patiently
Forgive injuries
Pray for the living and the dead

In the Rosary Crusade we devote ourselves to praying the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Members of St. John Cantius Parish are joined by the friends of the parish in this important prayer crusade for the intentions of the clergy. Thanks to the members of the Rosary Crusade, the Holy Rosary is prayed 365 days of the year and at every hour of the day.

In 1917, Jesus sent His Mother to Fatima, Portugal on the 13th day of consecutive months with pleas and warnings of what might happen if man did not turn back to God. These events culminated on October 13th with one of the greatest documented miracles of modern times that was witnessed by literally tens of thousands of people. Our Blessed Mother’s message was quite simple. Put Jesus back at the center of our lives. Ask for God’s mercy. Make sacrifices and reparations for the ways man has offended God. And pray the rosary for peace!

“I am the Lady of the Rosary, I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and ask for pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord any more, for He is already too grievously offended by the sins of men. People must say the rosary. Let them continue saying it everyday.” – Our Blessed Mother to Lucia at Fatima, October 13, 1917

Most importantly, our Blessed Mother brought us a message of hope! If we listen, and do these things, our merciful God stands ready to embrace us. Great sufferings and disasters, both manmade and natural can be averted!

“The rosary is my weapon.” “Our Lady has never refused me a grace through the recitation of the rosary.” “Love the Blessed Mother and make her loved. Always recite the rosary.” – St. (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina

Sadly, as the Fatima messages went largely unheeded, many of the things that our Blessed Mother warned of, including WWII, the rise of Russia, and the spread of communism came to pass. In fact, quite arguably, this century will go down as one of the bloodiest and war filled in the history of mankind. With the lack of peace in this new millennium, our Blessed Mother’s requests seem more urgent and more relevant than ever, so please join in this worldwide effort of prayer in response to our Blessed Mother’s urgent pleadings.

The Blessed Mother’s Promises to those who Pray the Rosary

The following promises were given by the Blessed Mother to Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan in the twelfth century. These promises are fifteen in number and are for Christians who recite the Rosary. The Blessed Mother promises:

Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

The Rosary shall be powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.

It will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.

Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice. He shall not perish by an unprovided death. If he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.

Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plentitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.

You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.

All those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

All who recite the Rosary are my sons and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ.

Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

Devotional Life

Novena to the Holy Spirit

FOREWORD

The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, “Speak Lord for Your servant heareth.” Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be recited daily during the Novena

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

The Novena begins on the day after the Solemnity of the Ascension, Friday of the 6th Week of Easter, even if the Solemnity of the Ascension is transferred to the 7th Sunday.

FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension or Friday of 6th Week of Easter)

Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!

The Holy Spirit

Only one thing is important—eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin· Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for “The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us.”

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SECOND DAY (Saturday of 6th Week of Easter)

Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that live!

The Gift of Fear

The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. “They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls.”

Prayer

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

THIRD DAY (7th Sunday of Easter or transferred Ascension)

Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Piety

The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

FOURTH DAY (Monday, 7th Week of Easter)

Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe.

The Gift of Fortitude By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. “He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.”

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

FIFTH DAY (Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter)

Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit Thou these hearts of Thine, And our inmost being fill!

The Gift of Knowledge

The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth--in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. “Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it.”

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SIXTH DAY (Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter)

If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his good is turn’d to ill.

The Gift of Understanding

Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion BY faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to “walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

SEVENTH DAY (Thursday, 7th Week of Easter)

Heal our wounds--our strength renews; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the stains of guilt away.

The Gift of Counsel

The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. “Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth.”

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

EIGHTH DAY (Friday, 7th Week of Easter)

Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray!

The Gift of Wisdom

Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written “all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.” It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: “Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

NINTH DAY (Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost)

Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.

Prayer

Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

The Padre Pio Prayer Group meets on the third Saturday of each month at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago (825 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, IL ). It begins with a Latin (Tridentine) Mass at 8:30 A.M., followed by recitation of the Chaplet of St. Padre Pio, prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father and for the success of the “Home for the Relief of Suffering” in Foggia, Italy. It concludes with a brief reception and meeting with light refreshments in Cafe San Giovanni.

Padre Pio on: The Spirit of God

The spirit of God is a spirit of peace. Even in the most serious faults He makes us feel a sorrow that is tranquil, humble, and confident and this is precisely because of His mercy.

The spirit of the devil, instead, excites, exasperates, and make us feel, in that very sorrow [for our sins], anger against ourselves, whereas we should, on the contrary, be charitable with ourselves first and foremost.

Therefore, if any thought agitates you, this agitation never comes from God, who gives you peace, being the Spirit of Peace, but from the devil.

Contact the Padre Pio Prayer Group:

Special Christmas Schedule

Monday, December 24 - Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord
11:00 p.m. - Brass, Motets and Christmas Carols Prelude

Tuesday, December 25 - Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
12:00 a.m. - Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Tridentine Solemn High Mass in Latin)
06:45 a.m. - Lauds
07:30 a.m. - Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Tridentine Low Mass in Latin)
09:00 a.m. - Ordinary Form of the Mass (English)
11:00 a.m. - Ordinary Form of the Mass (Latin)
12:30 p.m. - Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Pontifical Solemn High Mass in Latin)
02:00 p.m. - Rosary and Solemn Vespers

Wednesday, December 26 - Saint Stephen
07:30 a.m. - Matins and Lauds
08:00 a.m. - Ordinary Form of the Mass (English)
07:30 p.m. - Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Tridentine Low Mass In Latin)

Thursday, December 27 - Saint John
Blessing of wine in honor of St. John the Divine
07:30 a.m. - Matins and Lauds
08:00 a.m. - Ordinary Form of the Mass (English)
07:30 p.m. - Extraordinary Form of the mass (Tridentine Low Mass in Latin)

Friday, December 28 - Holy Innocents
07:30 a.m. - Matins and Lauds
08:00 a.m. - Ordinary Form of the Mass (English)
07:30 p.m. - Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Tridentine Low Mass in Latin)

Monday, December 31 - New Years Eve
11:00 p.m. - Deo Gratias Service
Holy Hour of Adoration and Singing of the Te Deum”

Tuesday, January 1 - Mary Mother of God/Circumcision of the Lord
12:00 a.m. - Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Tridentine High Mass in Latin)
07:30 a.m. Ordinary Form of the Mass (English)
09:00 a.m. Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Tridentine High Mass in Latin)

Prayer Requests

The priests and brothers of St. John Cantius Parish want to remember your prayer requests. Please feel free to call the parish office at 312-243-7373 with your prayer request or send your prayer requests to us using our online prayer request form. We entrust all of our prayers to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

A Christmas Tradition at St. John Cantius Parish

In-Depth History

2007 Program

In the Bleak Midwinter
Gustav Holst (1874 – 1934)

In Dulci Jubilo
Bartholomäus Gesius (1562 – 1613), Michael Praetorius (1571 – 1621),
Melchior Franck (1580 – 1639), Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
Robert Shaw (1916 – 1999)/Alice Parker (b. 1925)

Es Ist Ein Ros
Hugo Distler (1908 – 1942)

The Angels and the Shepherds
Zoltán Kodály (1882 – 1967)

Mary had a baby
Robert Shaw (1916 – 1999) /Alice Parker (b. 1925)

There is no rose
Anon. 14 th Century

Remember, O thou man
Thomas Ravenscroft (c.1582 – 1635)

O Magnum Mysterium
Jacob Handl (1550 – 1591)

O Salutaris
Felix Anerio (1560-1614)

Tantum Ergo
Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548 – 1611)

St. Cecilia Choir »
Chorus Innocentium Sanctorum »

Don Bosco Boys Camp

The Don Bosco Boys Camp, held during the summer months, is open to the young men of the parish interested to participate in physical recreation, receive catechetical instruction, and grow in their human and social development. These camps, held several times throughout the summer, are an excellent way to foster manly virtues under the patronage of St. John Bosco.

Coming Soon: Online Registration for Don Bosco Boys Camp

St. John Cantius in the News

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Bulletin

The most recent bulletin is available here.

Current Bulletin

You can download the bulletin in the PDF format (requires Acrobat Reader).

Sacred Art

The people of St. John Cantius Parish understand that sacred art plays a very important role in the work of “Restoring the Sacred.” This restoration includes a preservation of the artistic patrimony of the Church, replete with exemplary vestments, sacred vessels, and art works. But this mission is not only concerned about preserving artistic works of the past. As a result, St. John Cantius Parish and its resident religious community, the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, strive to continue the cultivation of new sacred art for the greater glory of God. Below are a few examples of the sacred art from St. John Cantius Church.

Volunteer

Parishioners at St. John Cantius enjoy donating time and talents. Please consider becoming a volunteer at St. John Cantius today!

Altar Servers – Open to the men and boys of the parish who want to serve at the altar for the Holy Mass.
Contact: Br. Chad McCoy, SJC, at 312-243-7373
Learn more: Organizations - Altar Servers »

Bakers - Share with us your talents in the kitchen by baking for Café San Giovanni. The parish always needs baked goods for many activities. Contact Fr. Frank Phillips, CR, at 312 243 7373.

Café San Giovanni Host/Hostess - Every Sunday the Café needs volunteers to serve coffee and help clean up.
Contact: Fr. Frank Phillips, CR, at 312-243-7373.
Learn more: Organizations - Café San Giovanni »

Cantate Domino Choir – Choir for young ladies interested in singing Latin Masses and Motets.
Contact: Fr. Scott Haynes, SJC, at 312-243-7373.
Learn more: Organizations - Choirs at St. John Cantius »

Church, Rectory and Grounds Cleaning/Decorating - We need people to help keep the Parish clean and beautiful. Can you help? Contact the parish office.
Contact: Thomas Dietz at 312 243 7373.

Evangelization Program - Help bring the Gospel to lapsed Catholics and others. Welcoming new parishioners, researching, writing, teaching catechism in C.C.D., creating art and more is part of the program. We can use your particular talents.
Contact: Fr. Frank Phillips, CR, at 312 243 7373.
Learn more: Organizations - Evangelization »

Festival Committee - Help organize and run fundraising events for our parish. Interested?
Contact: Fr. Frank Phillips, CR, at 312 243 7373.

General Volunteer as Needed - We’ll call you when the Parish has special needs.
Contact: Call the parish office at 312 243 7373.

Knights Of Columbus – The Knights of Columbus - Lafayette Council # 361 – supports our parish in prayer, fundraising. Open to men of the parish over 18.
Contact: Thomas Dietz at 312 243 7373.
Learn more: Organizations - Knights of Columbus »

Latin and Greek Program - Learn the language of the Church, the ancient Romans and the ancient Greeks. Classes are available to beginner to advanced students. Volunteer as a teacher, assistant, tutor, or sponsor Latin and Greek students in their studies.
Contact: Joseph Phelps at 312 236 5454 ext. 132.
Learn more: Classes - Latin »
Learn more: Classes - Greek »

R.C.I.A. (adult convert class) – The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a class open to all adults interested in becoming Catholic. It is also open to Catholics who have never received Confirmation or First Holy Communion, or to those Catholics just wanting to learn more about their faith. Volunteers are needed as tutors or as mentors.
Contact: Fr. Brendan Gibson, SJC, at 312 243 7373.
Learn more: Classes - RCIA – Adult Convert Class »

Resurrection Choir – Men and women’s choir specializing in classical Masses and motets.
Contact: Fr. Frank Phillips, CR, or Fr. Scott Haynes, SJC, at 312 243 7373.
Learn more: Organizations - Choirs at St. John Cantius »

Rosary Crusade – The Rosary Crusade fosters devotion to the Rosary. Open to all parishioners. Volunteer today to pray the Rosary with our Rosary Crusade.
Contact: Fr. Frank Phillips, CR, at 312 243 7373.
Learn more: Organizations - Rosary Crusade »

Sancta Missa – SanctaMissa.org is a website about the Tridentine Latin Mass that seeks to catechize Catholics and others about the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. As a part of our evangelization program, SanctaMissa.org helps everyone to “pray the Mass” with deeper faith and devotion. Contact Fr. Scott Haynes, SJC if you could assist with editorial work, word processing, or translating.
Contact: Fr. Scott Haynes, SJC, at 312 243 7373.
Learn more: www.sanctaMissa.org

Seat of Wisdom Library – Are you a librarian by vocation or avocation? We can use your help.
Contact: Fr. Frank Phillips, CR, at 312 243 7373.

Squires – This group of young men sets an edifying example of charitable works, prayer and dedication to the parish. All young men are encouraged to join (ages 12-18).
Contact: Fr. Brendan Gibson, SJC, at 312 243 7373 for more information.

St. Gregory the Great Schola - Men’s choir specializing in Gregorian chant. Men who are interested should contact Fr. Frank Phillips, CR.
Contact: Fr. Frank Phillips, CR, at 312 243 7373.
Learn more: Organizations - Choirs at St. John Cantius »

St. Monica Sodality - Has a loved one or family member left the Catholic Faith? All parishioners are encouraged to join the St. Monica Sodality to pray for the conversion of sinners.
Contact: Fr. Frank Phillips, CR, at 312 243 7373.
Learn more: Organizations - St. Monica Sodality »

Ushers - Assist at all Sunday Masses.
Contact: Thomas Dietz at 312 243 7373.

Youth and Young Adult Program - This program is open to boys and girls and young people who are interested in learning more about their faith, enjoying group activities and recreation, and doing charitable works in the parish community.
Contact: Br. Chad McCoy at 312-243-7373.
Learn more: Organizations - Youth & Young Adults »

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In order to be well-equipped to carry out their mission, members of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius must have a good knowledge of the Church’s official language. Consider donating a book to help them.

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In order for the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius to grow, so that it can help preserve the Church’s precious heritage and give Her priests, we need your help.

Spiritual

More than anything else we need your prayers. Please keep the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in your prayer intentions.

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But also, we cannot continue to physically function without the support of generous friends, who value the importance of preserving and cultivating our sacred traditions.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution so that the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius can grow and better serve the Church.

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Parish Office Hours

Monday – Friday:
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Saturdays, Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation:
Closed

Consultation available with any priest by appointment

Arrangements must be made in advance for baptisms and marriages.

For marriages, please read the parish Wedding Guidelines before calling.

The parish office is located at:

825 N. Carpenter St.
Chicago, IL 60622-5405
(for directions click here)

312-243-7373 Telephone

312-243-4545 Fax

Parish Staff

Rev. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. — Pastor

Rev. Albert Tremari, S.J.C. — Associate Pastor

Rev. James Isaacson, S.J.C. — Associate Pastor

Rev. Brendan Gibson, S.J.C. — Associate Pastor

Rev. Scott Haynes, S.J.C. — Associate Pastor

Rev. Dudley Day, O.S.A. — Pastoral Assistant

Rev. Br. Bart Juncer, S.J.C. — Deacon

Rev. Mr. Paul Guzman — Deacon

Directions to St. John Cantius Church

View Map and Get Driving Directions

FROM THE NORTH:

Exit I-94 at the Ogden Ave. exit.
Turn left at second traffic light onto Ogden Ave.
Take Ogden Ave. to Chicago Ave. (800 N).
Turn right (east) onto Chicago Ave. one block to Carpenter St. (1032 W).
Turn left (north) onto Carpenter St.

The church will be on your right.

FROM THE SOUTH:

Exit I-94 at Augusta Boulevard (200 N).
Turn left at the stoplight onto Milwaukee Ave. (south).
Take Milwaukee Ave. to the intersection of Chicago Ave. and Ogden Ave.
Turn left onto Chicago Ave. (800 N) (east).

Then turn left onto Ogden Ave.
The church will be on your right.

FROM THE WEST:

Exit I-290 at Paulina St.
Turn left onto Paulina St. and go to Ogden Ave.

Turn right (north) onto Ogden Ave. to Chicago Ave. (800 N).
After you cross Chicago Ave. the church will be on your right.

Still need help in driving to the Parish? We suggest that you visit Map Quest, a web site were you can get detailed maps from anywhere plus driving instructions. Before you do that be sure to have written down the parish address — 825 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, Illinois 60622-5499. You will need to enter it at the Map Quest Site. Click here for Map Quest!

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

The major public transportation lines that run to the church are:

THE CTA BLUE LINE TRAIN — the Chicago Avenue Subway Station is located one block from the church. This station is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

THE CTA BUS NUMBER 66, which runs east and west on Chicago Ave. It stops at the corner of Chicago Ave. and Ogden Ave.

THE CTA BUS NUMBER 56, which runs north and south on Milwaukee Ave. It stops at the corner of Chicago Ave. and Milwaukee Ave.

You can find up-to-date information for any Chicago Public Transportation route, including times, on the CTA’s web site. It will provide you with all the information you need from any location in Chicago. Even better is to use the Regional Transportation Authority’s Trip Planner.

Still need more public transportation information or are you coming from outside Chicago? I suggest you visit a site which lists all of the Illinois Transit System web sites. You should find your transit system there.

Still lost? You can write to us below, call us on the phone, fax us a question or use the e-mail! Phew, that should cover it!

825 N. Carpenter St.
Chicago, IL 60622-5499
or call us at
312-243-7373 Rectory
312-243-4545 Fax

A Short History of St. John Cantius Parish

Awesome is this place. it is the House of God and the Gate of Heaven!
– (Genesis 28, 17), from the cornerstone of St. John Cantius Church

When a parish church is formed, a great enterprise is begun. For from that beginning an unbroken and strong channel of grace is opened for us, indeed, the road to heaven. By the active participation of the Faithful in the Life of the Church, through the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ and the offering of the Sacrifice of the Mass together with the administration of the Sacraments, the Church offers us the strength we need on our journey to Eternal Life. From Baptism to Christian Burial, the Church is at our side offering the graces and spiritual consolations we need to grow in holiness. By taking part in the Sacrifice of the Mass, we proclaim our oneness in Christ and in each other. Bound by a common faith, culture, and often a language, we as a parish form a small segment of the Mystical Body of Christ on Earth.

A parish church does not offer only spiritual life to its members. It also provides social fraternity — especially among immigrant communities that find themselves in a strange land. This was the case with St. John Cantius Parish, which was founded in the late nineteenth century by the increasing numbers of immigrants arriving on Chicago’s near west side from southern Poland. At one time, St. John Cantius parish supported over fifty parish organizations, which provided for the spiritual, material and social well-being of its members. Of prime importance was the school, where the children of Polish immigrants were given the necessary education to make them productive citizens and loyal Catholics.

However, although St. John Cantius Parish was founded specifically to serve the nneds of Polish Catholics, its history is integrally intertwined with the development of Roman Catholicism in Chicago.

The Roman Catholic presence was firmly established in Chicago when the French settlement organized the city’s first parish, Old St. Mary’s, in 1833 under the direction of the Fr. Jean Marie Ireneaus St. Cyr. However, the greatest influx of Catholic population in the area began in the late 1840’s and continued through the 1920’s with the immigration of millions of European Catholics. First came the Irish, suffering from religious persecution and famine, then later the Germans, Poles, Italians and others. Extreme poverty was the order of the day for the majority of the inhabitants of Europe. The rise of Liberalism and the passage of anti-clerical laws caused much religious indifference and persecution. The displacement of the agrarian way of life at the onset of the Industrial Revolution trapped many in dismal futures.

By the mid 1800’s, the political situation in Poland was one of non-existence. The country had been partitioned into three sections by neighboring Prussia, Austria and Russia, thereby, ceasing to exist as an independent country. The Prussian section suffered greatly under the domination of German Protestants led by Count Otto Von Bismarck, whose Kulturkampt and subsequent Falk Laws severely restricted the Church. The various wars Prussia was waging abroad caused a heavy burden of taxation and forced military service. The partition under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire enjoyed religious freedom under the rule of the Catholic Habsburgs, but most found themselves in a state of poverty, as they were not landowners. Of all the partitions, the Russian sector suffered the greatest through a plan of cultural and religious genocide. The Polish language was replaced with Russian, Poles were deprived of employment, all societies were suppressed and private lands confiscated. Forceful efforts were made to destroy the Roman Catholic Church and allegiance to Rome. A college of canons was set up at St. Petersburg to govern the church and new liturgical books and devotions were introduced. In effect, a schismatic church was put into place. Reprisals for the participants of the 1863 Insurrection were so harsh, that many Poles had no choice but to flee.

From these tragic circumstances, many Poles sought relief in the United States of America. After traveling by sea and arriving at Ellis Island, a great number of Poles came to Chicago and settled near the Rolling Mill district along the North Branch of the Chicago River. In 1867, St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish was formed and by 1870 was placed under the direction of the Congregation of the Resurrection. This parish was to be the first and mother of all Polish parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Congregation of the Resurrection was founded in Paris by three Polish émigrés—Bogdan Janski, Peter Semeneko and Jerome Kajsiewicz—in 1836 with the sole purpose of the regeneration and preservation of Catholicism among Poles scattered across Europe and North America through missionary action. In 1871, Bishop Foley was so impressed with the work of this Congregation among the Polish population of Chicago, gave them control of all Polish parishes to be formed in the coming 99 years.

The Fr. Vincent Barzynski, C.R. was named pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish on September 18, 1874. Under his direction the parish grew and flourished. He was a truly remarkable priest and an indefatigable worker and organizer. His almost ceaseless labor for the Church and for souls was not limited merely to Chicago, but also bore fruits elsewhere in Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin. By the time he died in 1899, Fr. Barzynski had played the important role of directing the foundation, establishment and organization of twenty-five parishes.

By 1892, twenty five years after its, founding, St. Stanislaus Kostka was considered to be the largest parish in the world! The steady arrival of Polish immigrants caused the area to swell to enormous proportions. To relieve over-crowding in the area immediately surrounding the church, new arrivals began settling in an area southeast of the parish along Chicago Avenue. This area quickly became known as Wygnana Polska (“Expatriate Poland”, or popularly known later as the “Polish Patch”). The need to divide St. Stanislaus Kostka soonbecame apparent.

The residents of the “Expatriate Poland,” strong in love of God and frequently hampered in the external exercise of their religion by distance or weather conditions, quickly organized and approached the Fr. Vincent Barzynski with the request of founding another parish. Perceiving the validity of their request, he immediately named a committee to study and find a suitable site for the new church. On December 10th, 1892, the New World announced that “A new parish will be made early next year, and a church built in the neighborhood of Chicago Avenue and Carpenter Streets for the Polish residents in that vicinity.”

Despite the panic and depression following the Columbian Exposition, the search for land went on. Within a short time, several lots were purchased at Front (now called Fry) and Carpenter Streets for the exorbitant sum of $75,000.00. According to the New World of January 14th, 1893, twenty homes had to be demolished to make way for the new church. With the site purchased, Fr. Vincent entrusted the organizing and building of the parish church to the Fr. John Kasprzycki, C.R., the first pastor of St. John Cantius. Owing to the economic difficulties then prevalent, Fr. Barzynski deemed it wise that the parish should have a second patroness, St. Anne, who would intercede on behalf of this new enterprise.

Under the able administration of Fr. Kasprzycki, C.R. (1893-1899), the work of building the new church began immediately. Possessed with a great ability to organize, he began his pastorate by hiring the architect, Alphonsus Druiding, to draw up plans for a magnificent and imposing Renaissance-Baroque structure. It was to measure 230 feet in length and 107 feet in width and have a seating capacity of 2000. Work was started in the spring of 1893, and soon footings and foundations of the basement which was to serve as the first church began rising out of the ground. On September 4, 1893, Archbishop Patrick A. Feehan officiated at the laying and blessing of the cornerstone, which carried the following inscription, “Awesome is this place. It is the house of God and Gate of Heaven.” This event brought the first sense of achievement to the new parish.

The Fr. Kasprzycki next set about establishing a parochial school by petitioning Mother Caroline Friess of the School Sisters of the Notre Dame have her sisters to staff the school. This congregation of sisters founded in Bavaria was primarily German in composition, but had a significant Polish membership. Mother Caroline S.S.N.D. consented, and on November 12, 1893, Sister Mary Josaphat, S.S.N.D. and another companion began classes for 150 children. The school was housed in areas of the basement not occupied by the church proper.

By December of 1893, the basement church was ready for use. On the 24th of that month at ten o’clock in the morning, with solemn ceremonies, the Archbishop of Chicago, the Very Reverend Patrick Feehan, blessed and dedicated the newly completed basement church for sacred use. The following day, the Feast of Christmas, Mass was offered for the very first time and the channel of graces necessary for our sanctification was opened. These same graces continue to flow to this day.

That basement church was crudely finished on the inside without pews, and altars were fashioned from unfinished wood. Recalling the poverty of the stable at Bethlehem, this was to be the scene of the church’s first Mass, offered by the Very Fr. Simon Kobrzynski, C.R. on December 25th, 1893. That first Christmas, the Word was made Flesh upon the Altar in a most real way for the parishioners of St. John Cantius, who rejoiced at the many gifts God had bestowed on their new parish. Although the church was poor in quality, the parishioners had managed to build it, together with a school, within a time span of less than one year.

However, as work continued, progress on the main upper church took an unexpected turn. While the lower church was constructed quite rapidly, work on the upper church slowed down to a crawl. As an economic depression settled over Chicago and the rest of the country, unemployment grew each day with a slowdown in industry. By 1896 the two uneven bell towers had been raised and most of the exterior shell was completed. On Palm Sunday of 1897, three large bells were blessed by the Fr. Vincent Barzynski, C.R. and put in place in the south tower but were to remain silent for over one year. Weighing respectively 5,186 lbs., 2,891 lbs. and 1800 lbs., the bells cost just over $2000 to install.

Now, all that remained was the completion of the church’s interior and the acquisition of proper liturgical appointments. For this, the pastor and parishioners resorted to a variety of means to raise even the smallest funds for these necessary items. It was the noble idea of Fr. Kasprzycki and his parish committee (Ludwik Kalisz, Jan Klosowski, Walenty Kubicki, Woj. Kilczynski, M. Ptaszek and Fr. Kantak, C.R.) to hold a novena in honor of St. Joseph as a last resort. With great faith, the parish began the novena on March 9, 1898. At a momentous meeting on the 28th of March, soon after its completion, a sum of $3000 was raised to complete the building’s construction. Just as St. Joseph provided for the Holy Family, he provided for the Parish of St. John Cantius and has since been revered as its Protector and Intercessor.

From the very onset of the parish, various societies were formed to meet the spiritual, material and political needs of the parishioners. By 1897, there were some twenty-three different societies actively associated with the parish. Among them were chapters of the Polish Roman Catholic Union, the Polish Union of America, the Polish Alma Mater and many sodalities and confraternities. It was these groups, whose members pooled their resources together, that contributed the largest portion of the financing toward the construction of the church. Through them the pennies of the poor erected a magnificent temple to the greater Glory of God. The great faith of the Fr. John Kasprzycki and his band of pioneer parishioners will always be remembered by the future generations of parishioners, who spiritually benefit from the edifice they built.

After almost five years, the interior of the church was completed and Fr. Kasprzycki was able to announce that the dedication ceremonies would take place in time for Advent on December 11th, 1898. That Sunday afternoon, a large throng of parishioners, school children, bands and members of the Polish Cavalry went to the episcopal residence on North Avenue and State Street, where they were greeted by Archbishop Feehan, who joined their entourage and processed back to the church. They first proceeded west on North Avenue to Noble Street, then south to Chicago Avenue, and finally east on Chicago to the rectory, where the Archbishop symbolically received the church property from the pastor.

The dedication ceremonies commenced at 4:00 PM with the blessing of the exterior walls. While the Litany of the Saints was being sung, the Archbishop entered the church and blessed the interior walls after which the doors were thrown open and the faithful entered for the first time. Archbishop Feehan spoke kindly to the parishioners at the ceremony, expressing his joy at this achievement. It was his fervent prayer that future generations of the parish would continue to thank and bless them for their generosity under the most difficult of conditions, for their example and for their zeal in spreading the Kingdom and Glory of God. The ceremonies concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the singing of the traditional hymn “Niech Bedzie Pochwalony!” (May He be praised!).

The Fr. Kasprzycki had completed his mission at St. John Cantius. With the death of Fr. Vincent Barzynski, the pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka, he was assigned as pastor of that parish where he remained until 1905, when he was elected Superior General of the Congregation of the Resurrection, whereupon he left for the congregation’s house in Rome. He held that office until 1920 and died on May 3, 1933, while living at St. Joseph Novitiate in Chicago, Illinois.

The Fr. Eugene Sedlaczak, C.R. (1899-1901) was thennamed pastor and immediately began the task of decorating the interior of the church. It was during his term of office that construction of the present day rectory began. Fr. Sedlaczek hired the noted architect, Henry Schalcks to draw the plans for a rectory in a modified Gothic style, and supervise the construction. The building was completed during the brief tenure of the Fr. Stephen Dabkowski, C.R. (1901-1902).

After coming from Kitchner, Ontario, Canada, the Fr. Stanislaus Rogalski, C.R. (1902-1909) became the next pastor. To him we owe the greatest credit for thedecoration of the interior of the church and forgiving it the character it has today. Many of the fine paintings and murals in the church, as well as the organ, date to this time. The famous clock on the high steeple (just recently renovated and reactivated in 2001) was also installed under the direction of Fr. Rogalski in 1907.

After the completion of the upper church, the space formerly occupied by the original provisional church was converted to classrooms for the school. On March 7, 1903, the New World reported:

“At the present, children are taught in the basement of the church, and as there are more than 1400 pupils, more space is very much needed. Eighteen School Sisters of the Notre Dame have charge of the school.”

Fr. Rogalski immediately turned his attention to the building of a new facility for the school and again engaged the architect Henry Schalcks to draw the plans. Through the generosity of the parents of the school children, the building was finished and occupied by November 1903. Unfortunately, Fr. Rogalski, who was beloved by his flock at St. John’s, was then appointed as pastor of St Stanislaus Kostka in 1909. He passed away in 1933 while stationed in Ontario, Canada.

His successor was the Fr. John Kosinski, C.R. (1909-1914), who was previously the rector of St. Stanislaus Kostka College. He was known for his renowned speaking abilities and progressive educational ideas. During his tenure as pastor, he installed the latest in ventilating systems for the comfort of the parishioners. He also replaced the gas lighting in the church with a modern electrical system, and finally had the lancets of stained glass windows installed. Fr. Kosinski contracted for the repainting of the entire interior of the church at the cost of $11,000.00, but he was not to see the completion of this task. He took ill in March of 1914 and died on May 1st of that year at only forty-four years of age. He was the first pastor of St. John Cantius to die in office. His Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Most Fr. Paul Rhode, then Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, and attended by a large crowd of parishioners and friends.

Upon Fr. Kosinski’s death, the Fr. Vincent Rapacz, C.R. who had served in the capacity of assistant at the parish since 1899, was appointed interim administrator of the parish. Fr. Vincent, however, loved his priestly duties too much to remain in the position of pastor for long. So dedicated to the service of the Church was he, that parishioners lovingly referred to him as the St. John Vianney of the parish. Fr. Vincent often spoke of the priesthood as the “Sweet yoke of Christ and a light burden.” Offering the Mass, conducting the many and varied services, leading devotions, preaching, visiting the sick and hearing confessions were his greatest loves. The amount of time Fr. Rapacz spent in the confessional knew no limits.

During his short administration, until March 1915, Fr. Rapacz remodeled the entire interior of the rectory. Following this, he continued his work in the parish as assistant pastor until his death on March 29, 1931. After 32 years of selfless and saintly service to the parish, grateful parishioners collected funds to donate a fine chalice in Fr. Rapacz’s honor. The gold filigree chalice set with enamels was inscribed, “Given in honor of the Vianney of St. John Cantius Parish, the Fr. Vincent Rapacz, C.R.”

After a brief interim period, the Fr. Stanislaus Siatka, C.R. (1915 – 1920) was appointed pastor. He proved to be a most able administrator and the number of parishioners continued to grow. In one of his first tasks, Fr. Siatka replaced the old stairs leading to the front of the church and built an imposing brick wall around the perimeter of the parish property. A section of this wall stands to this day immediately behind the church. The basement was remodeled into a spacious auditorium with stage, a kitchen installed, and the remaining classrooms converted into smaller halls for meetings. A central heating system at the east end of the basement was installed to heat the church, rectory and school.

The dream of the parish had been to build a convent to house the sisters teaching in the parish school. This was to be Fr. Siatka’s greatest contribution to St. John Cantius. Four lots were purchased on Fry Street east of the rectory for the sum of $19,000.00. Construction commenced on the 17th of July, 1916. By August of 1917, the structure was finished. With the blessing of the residence on the 5th of September, the thirty sisters stationed at the parish took up residence in the fine building, which contained a chapel, kitchen, parlors and enough small, but comfortable rooms so that each sister had her privacy. The construction costs totaled $75,000.00.

The work of the pioneering pastors and parishioners was now finally complete. The parish had grown almost a thousandfold, from the original twenty-five settlers to over twenty-three thousand souls. A magnificent church had been built, along with a new school which housed over two thousand children, a rectory, and lastly the convent—all within the span of some twenty-five years.

No occasion could have been more fitting for the parish to celebrate its accomplishments than the Silver Jubilee of the founding of St. John Cantius Parish. Fr. Siatka, along with his committee, appointed Sunday, October 21, 1918 as the day on which this event would be observed. Prior to this, a two week mission was preached by the Polish Jesuit Fathers, and the Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving was offered on that day by the Very Fr. Francis Gordon, C.R., the Delegate General of the Resurrectionists in Chicago. He was assisted by the Fr. Vincent Rapacz, C.R., as deacon and the Fr. Ladislaus Filipski, C.R., as sub-deacon, while the Fr. Ladislaus Zapala, C.R., future Superior General, preached the sermon. A commemorative book, published on this occasion, relates how parishioners thronged the church to overflowing from morning until night thanking God for the manifestation of His goodness to them.

In 1920, Fr. Siatka was transferred to the pastorate of St. Hedwig Church, and the Fr. Stephen Kowalczyk C.R. (1910 – 1929) was named pastor of St. John Cantius. The parish was firmly established, and the work of Fr. Kowalczyk was primarily focused on the spiritual growth of his parishioners. While zealously performing his duties as pastor, Fr. Stephen saw in the pastorate an opportunity to foster vocations to the religious life. He made it possible for graduates of the parochial school to continue their education at Weber High School. Through his constant encouragement, continued interest and saintly example, many were propelled to enter the Congregation of the Resurrection. Fr. Kowalczyk was personally responsible for more than thirty vocations to the priesthood and deservingly earned the title, “Zealous Promoter of Religious Vocations.”

In the middle of the 1920s, following a wave of postwar prosperity, an increase in the use of trucks and automobiles necessitated the construction of Ogden Avenue. The Parish of St. John Cantius was dealt its first critical blow. This major undertaking dislocated the homes of many parishioners, forcing them to move to other areas and thus breaking up what had been a solid ethnic neighborhood. This street seems harmless enough today, but at that time, it was a heavily used truck route as it was part of the famous U.S. Route 66. Parishioners who lived west of Ogden Avenue began to think twice about sending their children to the school for fear of traffic fatalities. Many of the faithful began attending the nearby parishes of Holy Innocents and St. Boniface, and the number of parishioners and pupils in the school began to decline.

This was the situation that the Fr. Walter Bartylak, C.R. (1929-1934) inherited when he became pastor after Fr. Kowalczyk. In addition, the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and subsequent Great Depression painted a picture that was anything but promising. Fr. Bartylak, the first pastor of St. John Cantius of American birth, met this challenging situation with much optimism and ingenuity. Opening the church facilities to the frequently unemployed young men and women of the parish, Fr. Bartylak organized many activities and societies to keep these young people from becoming restive. The most active of these groups were the St. John Cantius Sportsmen, the Sodality of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus, the Panama Circle and the Scatter Joy Circle. Fr. Walter not only succeeded in keeping these youngsters active, he also strengthened their loyalty to God, country and parish.

In spite of the Depression, Fr. Bartylak was able to raise the funds necessary to renovate the entire sanctuary of the church and to redecorate the church. This major undertaking included the painting of the present mural in the sanctuary apse, the redesigning of the High Altar and installation of a new lighting system. Fr. Bartylak left the parish in 1934 when he was named Superior of the newly founded Resurrectionist Mission Band in Castleton-on-the-Hudson, New York.

The Fr. Theodore Kloptowski, C.R. (1934-1939) was named the next pastor of St. John’s soon acquired the endearing name, Fr. Ted. With maintenance demands at a minimum, he devoted all his efforts toward the spiritual betterment of the parish. He sustained and strengthened his parishioners through the depth of the Depression, and as recognition for his administrative capabilities, he was named pastor of St. Hyacinth Church.

The Fr. Joseph Prusinski, C.R. (1939-1942) assumed the pastorate of St. John Cantius, as well as the vice-chairmanship of the Polish Alma Mater. As pastor, he ahd the privelege to host, the Consul General of Poland, Dr. Charles Ripa, General Ladislaus Sikorski of the Polish Army, and the Polish statesman, Ignacy Paderewski as guests of the parish. In 1942 Fr. Prusinski was transferred to the Mission Band, where he served admirably in this important apostolate to the Polish community.

After a brief interim pastorate by the Fr. Leonard Long, C.R., Fr. John Grabowski, C.R. (1942-1951) was appointed pastor. Young, energetic, and only thirty-five years of age, Fr. Jack was the ideal choice for the difficult days that lay ahead. With many of the younger parishioners off at war or engaged in Red Cross work, Fr. Jack began preparations for the parish’s Golden Jubilee celebration. Unfortunately, this occasion proved to be emotionally trying for the older parishioners, who had earlier witnessed the parish at its peak.

What had been a great and large parish a mere twenty-five years before, was now in the throes of regression, not spiritual, but statistical. The number of parishioners had declined dramatically, and there were but 376 students in the parish school. Even the best and holiest of works can be ravaged by time and change. In spite of this, the parish celebrated its Fiftieth Jubilee with much festivity. In preparation for this event, through the generosity of parishioners, the entire entrance stairway to the church was re-built, and the church was thoroughly cleaned. Sunday, January 9th, 1944 was appointed the day of the celebration.

Amid impressive ceremony, the Most Fr. Samuel Stritch, the Archbishop of Chicago, officiated at the Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at 10:00 AM that morning. Following the Mass, a reception was held in the parish hall for the assisting clergy and later that evening, the parishioners were guests at a banquet held in the parish hall. The next day, Monday, January 10th, 1944 a Solemn Requiem Mass was offered for all the deceased members of the parish.

The end of World War II brought yet more tragic consequences for the parish of St. John Cantius. Those, who got married after returning from war, began moving to newer areas of the city and even to the suburbs. With this depopulation of the neighborhood, others of non-Polish ethnic stock rapidly took their places. Soon what once had been a solid ethnic enclave could hardly be recognized as such—except for the very few “old timers” who remained despite all the changes. Fr. Grabowski continued to struggle despite all the odds, and thenin 1951 he was appointed pastor of St. Mary of the Angels Church.

Fr. Stanislaus Duda, C.R. (1951-1957), who had been assistant pastor since 1942, assumed the pastorate. Fr. Duda did all in his power to stem the parish’s decline, literally spending himself and his health in the process. During his term of office, the parish received its most cruel blow. The construction of the Kennedy Expressway (then known as the Northwest Expressway) in the late 1950s necessitated the demolition of thousands of homes, and even more parishioners were forced to leave the area. In the midst of this, Fr. Duda was transferred to St. Hedwig Church where he died at the age of only 48 in 1960.

When he was appointed pastor, Fr. John C. Wojcik, C.R. (1957-1963) found himself in the same tragic situation. He tried every means available to stem the unrelenting tide of parishioners away from the neighborhood, which was now rapidly declining economically. Fr. Wojcik organized a neighborhood council with the dream of stimulating urban renewal and reconstruction in the area. However, this effort proved to be just that—a dream. On November 5th, 1960, a segment of the J.F. Kennedy Expressway extending from Lake Street to Foster Avenue opened just west of the church. Ironically, this thoroughfare, which caused so much grief for St. John Cantius and the many parishes along its route, was now utilized by many parishioners who left the area in order to return on Sundays.

In 1963, Fr. Wojcik was named Superior of the Novitiate of the Resurrectionist Fathers in Woodstock, Illinois and was succeeded as pastor by the Fr. John Pawelczak C.R. (1963-1972). During his tenure it became increasingly difficult for the parish to maintain the school because most families with school aged children had already moved away. In June 1967, the last class graduated and the school ceased operation. The School Sisters of the Notre Dame, who had staffed the school from the beginning, left the parish after seventy-five years of service and the school building was rented to the Near North Montessori organization, providing the parish with a source of revenue. Upon their departure, the convent building remained vacant until it was utilized by the Archdiocese, Chicago for the Office of Religious Education.

The Diamond Jubilee of the parish was fast approaching and preparations began. The church’s exterior was cleaned of all the soot which gave it a nearly black appearance and the interior was prepared as best as was allowed. The date chosen for the observance of this event was Sunday, October 20, 1968. A two week mission, preached in both Polish and English, and the celebration the Forty Hours Adoration, spiritually the parish for the event. The Jubilee Day featured a concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving with a homily delivered by the Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, Alfred Abramowicz. Many former parishioners and friends of St. John Cantius returned for this occasion and filled the church to capacity. A choir made up of present and former parishioners under the direction of Mr. Albert Kasluga, provided fine music at the Mass. Following this, a banquet was held on November 3rd in the International Ballroom of the Sherman House Hotel, at which his Eminence John Cardinal Cody was a guest, brought the Jubilee festivities to a close.

Fr. Pawelczak remained as Pastor until May of 1972. During the pastorates of the Fr. Peter Fiolek, C.R. (1972-1985), and Fr. Felix Miliszkiewicz, C.R. (1985-1986) the parish membership stabilized. Although no longer living in the area, many continued to support the parish and return on Sundays. Through the dedicated energies of the laity, various fundraisers and activities were held to add to the parish treasury and support the maintenance of the parish properties. As the number of these dedicated individuals decreased through death, those that remained worked even harder. Even in its decline, the Parish of St. John Cantius never went into debt—a testament to both pastors and parishioners alike. In fact, the parish was even able to support another parish, St. Josaphat, through the Archdiocesan Sharing Program.

On August 15, 1988, the Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. assumed the post of pastor. Coming from Weber High School, where he had been a religious education and music instructor, Fr. Frank brought youthful optimism and engaging charm to this position. However, he soon proved himself to be an able administrator. At that time, the parish consisted of a small and mostly elderly contingent of Faithful and thoroughly dedicated members. Fr. Phillips saw in the pastorate an opportunity to make St. John Cantius a viable parish for the future by promoting the richness of the Church’s liturgical tradition—particularly its Latin Liturgy. As St. John Cantius no longer found itself in a strictly residential neighborhood, this particular apostolate proved successful in drawing new parishioners from many other neighborhoods and suburbs, which increased needed revenues.

In July of 1988, His Holiness, Pope John Paul 11 issued the Motu Proprio, Ecclesia Dei, calling for a wide and generous application of the indult of 1984, which renewed the celebration of Mass according to the Missal of 1962 (widely known as the Tridentine Mass). The purpose of this Apostolic letter was to fulfill the rightful need of those attached to this Liturgical tradition and to bring those members of the laity, who were involved with the new schismatic Society of Pius X back into the true fold. Late in 1988, arrangements were made between Fr. Phillips and the Fr. Robert Kealy, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Chicago, to have the Indult Tridentine Mass celebrated on a weekly basis at St. John Cantius. The first of these Masses was said on February 4, 1989, and continues to this day. For many years, a group of Archdiocesan priests celebrated this Mass on a rotational basis. Then on December 8, 1992, a large group of faithful who had formerly worshiped with the schismatic Society of Pius X at their Oak Park mission, began attending the Indult Mass at St. John’s.

Fr. Phillips has always been a proponent of liturgy that is celebrated with reverence, care and with great attention paid to the rubrics established by the Church. In January, 1989, he began to celebrate and continues to be celebrate the Novus Ordo Missae (1970 Missal of Paul VI) each Sunday in Latin. He also greatly enhanced this solemn Liturgy by the rich musical tradition of Western Catholicism. On most Sundays, the Schola Cantorum of St. Gregory the Great rendered the Gregorian Propers and Ordinaries of the Mass. The Resurrection Choir, which was founded and directed by Fr. Phillips, sang the Ordinaries of the Mass in settings from the Viennese Classical tradition on the second Sunday of each month. On greater Feast Days, the St. Cecilia Choir enhanced the Mass with settings in the polyphonic tradition of the Renaissance. Distinguished celebrants of the Mass included Fr. George Rutler, Fr. John Hardon, S.J., Fr. Matthew Habiger, O.S.B., Fr. Gary Gurthler, S.J., Fr. Paul Quay, S.J. and the Fr. Thomas Paprocki, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Concerned with the spiritual development of the parish, Fr. Phillips introduced various means to address this need. He revived many devotions, including: Vespers and Benediction, the Corpus Christi procession, Stations of the Cross, the St. Joseph and St. Anne Novenas, Tenebrae, First Friday and Saturday adoration, as well as others, which all contribute to the spiritual well-being of the parishioners. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes were established early in Fr. Phillips’ tenure, for the religious education of the parish’s youth. For adults, the parish hosted the classes of the Institute for Religious Life, where topics such as Church history, Canon Law and Patristic writings are taught. He established the Lay Extern Program of the Congregation of the Resurrection for the laity. Its members engaged in spiritual exercises, performed corporal works of mercy, and involved themsleves in various apostolates of religious education. Believing that the future of the Church depended on strong vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Fr. Phillips fostered vocations through prayer, example, and by opening the rectory to those who are interested in religious life.

The parish of St. John Cantius has long been blessed with a beautiful church and other buildings. As they grow older, these buildings require extensive repairs and maintenance. Therefore, ongoing restoration has been one of the major concerns of Fr. Phillips’ pastorate. In Fall of 1988, soon after his arrival, he started the Cantian Fund in order to generate the revenues which were needed for specific restoration projects. The following is a list of restoration projects already completed, in chronological order:
The cleaning and repairing of the painting of St. John Cantius above the High Altar.
The cleaning, varnishing and re-gilding of the two side altars.
The cleaning and reinforcing of the south bell tower, as well as, the re-electrification of the bells.
The cleaning and replacing of the wooden tracing of the north Rose window and two other windows in the nave.
The rebuilding of the parish garden and addition of the outdoor shrines of Sts. Anne and John the Baptist.

Since 1989, our parish school building has housed the Chicago Academy of the Arts, a private high shcool that emphasizes the performing arts.

In the summer and fall of 1990, Hollywood came to St. John Cantius with the filming of two movies on the parish grounds. The first was a made-for-television movies, entitled “Johnny Ryan.” The second was a major Hollywood film entitled, “Only the Lonely,” directed by John Hughes and starring Maureen O’Hara and John Candy.

In March of 1989, the parish hosted a visit by Thadeusz Mazowiecki, Prime Minister of the newly-democratic Poland. Other events and guests at St. John Cantius during Fr. Phillips’ tenure included the Fr. Patrick Peyton, of the Marian Conferences and the National Latin Liturgy Convention.

In February of 1991, various parishioners began to form committees and plan the events of the upcoming Centennial year. At Midnight Mass of Christmas 1992, a year of celebration was officially opened. One of the major events of the Centennial Year was the Festival of Sacred Music, a concert series given by various prestigious groups of the Chicago musical establishment.

The Centennial Mass and Banquet took place on September 19, 1993. Joseph Cardinal Bernadin celebrated the Jubilee Mass at 10:00 a.m., and later that evening parishioners attended a splendid dinner-dance at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel on North Michigan Avenue. The Centennial Year was brought to a close at Midnight Mass on December 25, 1993. Just as this parish set down its roots at the Altar of God one hundred years earlier on that very day, on the Feast of the Incarnation, so too we fittingly ended our centennial celebration in the same manner.

We look to the future with its inevitable challenges and corresponding opportunities for us to grow together in holiness, as we remain strong in Faith and love of God and one another, continuing to work toward the good of our parish and ultimately the Greater Glory of God.

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Music Staff

The Resurrection Choir
Fr. Frank Phillips, C.R., Principal Music Director

Completed studies in Music Education from St. Louis University Studied music theory and composition with Dr. Robert Neidlinger, Music history with Rev. Francis Guenter, S.J. and Organ with Dr. Marie Kraemer. Received a Master’s of Divinity from St. Louis University and was ordained January 1977. Taught Music history, theory, choir and religious education at Weber High School for 11 years until stationed at St. John Cantius parish in 1988. During my tenure at St. John’s I began building the music program providing Gregorian Chant, Classical and Polyphonic music for regularly scheduled Masses and Devotions.

Cantate Domino Choir
Fr. Scott A. Haynes, S.J.C., Director

As an organ and choral scholar at Washington’s National Cathedral from 1994-98, Fr. Haynes studied under the tutelage of Dr. Douglas Major, Organist and Choirmaster. Fr. Haynes completed choral conducting studies at the University of Alabama under Dr. Sandra Willets, complimented by post-graduate studies with Dr. James Jordan at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey. Having studied composition under Dr. Frederic Goosen, he won the American Society of Composers and Arrangers’ Raymond Hubbell Award for orchestral composition in 1992. Today, he actively composes liturgical music for the choirs of St. John Cantius. Ordained in 2007 for the Archdiocese of Chicago as a member of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, Fr. Haynes serves as Associate Pastor of St. John Cantius Church.

St. Cecilia Choir and Sine Nomine Ensemble
Daniel V. Robinson, Director

In addition to serving as one of the directors of the Sine Nomine and St. Ceclia Choirs at St. John Cantius, Daniel Robinson is music director of the Great Lakes Dredge and Philharmonic Society in Chicago. He has also guest-conducted the a cappella ensemble Bella Voce. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College and graduate degrees in music from Stanford University. He studied conducting with Robert Shaw, Clayton Krehbiel, John Ferris, Howard Swan, Weston Noble, and Richard Rosewall. He was founder and music director of Basically Bach. Previous church choir work includes stints with the Harvard University Choir, the Harvard University Summer Choir, the First Unitarian Church in Danvers, MA, and the Stanford Memorial Church Choir.

St. Gregory The Great Schola Cantorum
Joseph Urbaszewski, Director

Joseph F. Urbaszewski is a retired Architect and Civil Engineer, who has been involved at St. John Cantius since about 1988, serving in the capacity of chironomer of the Schola Cantorum of St. Gregory the Great at the pleasure of Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R.

In 1959-60, he taught Gregorian chant to the troops at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, while serving in the U.S. Army. He was an occasional substitute organist at St. John Cantius, St. Mary of the Angels, and some forty other churches, over the years. His brother, Gene Urbaszewski, strongly encouraged him to assist at St. John Cantius.

Mr. Urbaszewski’s initial policy was that all the gentlemen of the Schola, under the patronage of St. Gregory the Great, were required to learn, by doing, all the propers of the Mass, unabbreviated. The policy continues in force with the evolution of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. The current blend of twenty plus members includes both laymen and religious.

The Schola presents Holy Scripture in a unisonic musical chant setting of the Mass, which in turn, encourages the faithful to pray. Very often, each member is asked, on a moment’s notice, to select the opening pitch, to intone, or to direct the Schola. As of this date, ten members are proven able to direct.

Not only does the Schola work to achieve melodic delivery, accuracy of pitch, and clarity of text, but more importantly, spiritual excellence.

Mr. Thomas Zeman, Assistant Director

Thomas Edward Zeman studied piano and music theory with Mildred Adaska and Ada Gregor. Afterwards he studied violin with George Metskas. At the Sherwood School of Music he studied piano under Leo Podolsky. While completing his high school studies he began coursework in music at Morton Junior College. At DePaul University he studied piano with Thaddeus Kozack, villing with David Moll, chamber music, orchestra and orchestral conducting with Paul Stassevitch, and composition with Donald Jenni and John Downey. He obtained the Bachelor of Music degree at DePaul with a major in composition and a minor in piano. At Indiana University in Bloomington he studied piano with Frederick Baldwin, and composition with Bernhard Heiden and Juan Orrego-Salas. He has studied organ with Arthur C. Becker, Sr. and Herdon Spillman. He holds the Master of Music degree from Indiana University with a major in composition and a minor in piano. He, furthermore, completed the coursework toward the Doctorate of Music degree with a major in composition and with minors in piano and theory. He has studied semiology and chironomy at the Gregorian Chant Institute at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana. He performs in concerts and recitals as soloist and chamber musician.

He is vice president of the Chicago Camerata, and organization of several chamber music groups. As a member of the Chicago Camerata Trio he has performed on “Live from WFMT.” He has also performed on the Chicago Symphony Chamber Music Series. With the Betty Haag Academy of Music, he plays piano for student and guest violin soloists and for the violin ensemble, for local concerts and on tour. At St. John Cantius Church he frequently plays organ as soloist and accompanist with the Sine Nomine Ensemble and the Resurrection Choir and Orchestra.

In order to expand both classicism and romanticism, he has developed a highly ordered system of composition, employing a large number of pitches related through the ratios of integers. He has composed solo works, orchestral works, choral works and chamber works. He believes music, whether it be for concert or for worship, should have a positive influence on the listener. His specific purpose in life is to compose music that will help people better to appreciate true peace, joy and the glory of God.

Chorus Innocentium Sanctorum
Br. Chad McCoy, S.J.C. Director

Br. Chad McCoy, S.J.C., a 2001 graduate of Magdalen College, Warner, New Hampshire, directs the Choir of the Holy Innocents. Br. Chad sees the youth choir program as an excellent opportunity to catechize the young people of St. John Cantius Church in liturgy and spirituality. After music studies at Roosevelt University, Br. Chad has implemented an annual summer choir camp that has introduced the members of the Holy Innocents Choir to the basics of music theory, sight-singing, music history and musicianship.

About St. John Cantius - the Saint’s Story

St. John of Kenty
Patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims

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To most Catholics in this country, St. John from Kenty—otherwise know as John Kanty or John Cantius—is an obscure saint, but even in Europe, probably few people know of Pope John Paul II’s deep and lifelong devotion to this professor saint.

Only thirteen miles from the Holy Father’s own birthplace, John was born in the small southern Polish town of Kenty on June 24, 1390. At the age of 23, he registered for studies at the Jagiellonian University, located in the not too distant city of Krakow—then, the capital of the Polish Kingdom. Founded 1364 by royal decree, it was the same university at which astronomer, Nicolas Copernicus, would study almost 80 years later.

Enrolled in the Department of Liberal Arts, John became a doctor of philosophy in 1418. During the following three years, he undertook further studies in preparation for the priesthood, while supporting himself by conducting philosophy classes at the university.

Immediately following ordination, he accepted a position as rector at the prestigious school of the Canons Regular of the Most Holy Sepulcher in Miechow. That such a school would offer him this position at his relatively young age was evidence of John’s exceptional intellect and talents. It was there in conducting formation classes for the young novices that he became firmly grounded in the writings and spirituality of St. Augustine.

In 1429, a position became vacant in the Philosophy Department at the Jagiellonian University. John quickly returned to Krakow for the Job, taking up residence at the university where he remained until his death. He also began studies in theology and after 13 long years of study intertwined with teaching and administrative duties as head of the Philosophy Department, He finally received his doctorate. Later, after the death of his mentor, the eminent theologian Benedykt Hesse, John assumed directorship of the university’s Theology Department.

As most learned men of his day, John spent many of his free hours hand copying manuscripts of the Holy Scriptures, theological tracts, and other scholarly works. Although only 26 volumes have survived to our time, their total of over 18,000 pages is a testament to his exceptional industriousness.

During the course of his life in Krakow, John became well know among the city’s residents for his generosity and compassion toward the poor, always sacrificing his own needs in order to help those less fortunate. He felt a special affinity toward need students at the university, helping to care for their spiritual, physical, and academic needs, Whether it was in the classroom or in the pulpit, everyone knew him as a staunch defender of the faith and enemy of heretics.

By the time the Master from Kenty died on December 24, 1473, the people of Krakow already considered him a very holy man. That his opinion was wholly justified can be evidenced by the numerous favors and miracles attributed to John’s intercession beginning immediately following his death. Before long, John from Kenty became know widely throughout Europe, drawing pilgrims from many countries to his tomb in the university’s Collegiate Church of St. Anne.

Despite this, the process for his beatification did not begin until 150 years later. Finally, in 1676, Pope Clement XIII declared him a saint of the Roman Catholic Church, proclaiming October 20 as his feast day.

Throughout, his many years in Krakow, our philosopher Pontiff drew much inspiration at the grave of his patron saint of learning. It was no surprise, therefore, that during his 1997 pilgrimage to Poland, he once more prayed at the Saint’s tomb. There, during a special gathering with professors from the Jagiellonian-both his and St. John’s alma mater—he alluded to the Master from Kenty when he stated: “Knowledge and wisdom seek a covenant with holiness.”

TIMES NOT UNLIKE OUR OWN

(taken from Society of St. John Cantius newsletter Via Sacra, Vol.1, Issue 2, May 25, 1999)

Saint John from Kenty, patron of our religious community, lived in times not unlike our own. Although not as intense as the cultural crisis of the late twentieth century, his time was nonetheless as period of tension and sweeping change. As for us, it was a time of crisis as well as reform in the realms of culture, politics and religion.

In Europe of the fifteenth century, the Church was still reeling from the effects of the western schism. The emergence of antipopes divided the allegiances of Catholics. Criticism of Church authority led to the support of conciliarism, which asserted that the only solution to the Church’s problems was submission of the Pope to the authority of Church councils.

Many philosophers wished to separate the Church from the realm of learning, some mystics wished to separate piety from a search for the truth, Hussite heretics wished to detach the Church from all temporal matters, and academics defended the rights of pagans and schismatics, under the banner of freedom of conscience. The similarity to our time is uncanny.

However, even amidst such sentiments among many of his colleagues at the Krakovian Academy, St. John from Kenty stood firm in his loyalty to the Roman Pontiff and the timeless teachings of the Church.

Despite the turmoil, it was also a period of renewal within the Church. St. John stood out as one of a number of mystics in fifteenth-century Krakow who were influenced by devotio moderna—a contemporary Dutch movement, which encouraged lay people to a life of individual piety through reflection on the Gospels, personal consecration, and works of mercy. It also promoted a renewed devotion to the Eucharist through the practice—considered revolutionary for the time—of frequent reception of Confession and Holy Communion.

The influence of this movement on the Master from Kenty may explain why, among the numerous manuscripts produced by this seasoned scholar, we find no great theological or mystical treatises. One trait characteristic of devotio moderna was that it did not encourage the writing of such works as was popular in that day. It called rather for a humble silence and renunciation of the unnecessary praise from others, that such works would have entailed.

What the Master from Kenty did leave us, however, were many volumes of transcribed manuscripts, as well as practical commentaries on morality and faith.

St. John from Kenty didn’t found a school of mysticism or live in a monastery but in a manner unique for his day, he demonstrated how one could live the gospel in everyday life through service to the Church and one’s fellow man. He drew constant inspiration from a deep devotion to Christ’s Passion and a profound love of our Savior’s Blessed Mother.

So exemplary was he, that two centuries later Pope Clement XIII wrote for his canonization that the Saint from Kenty “belonged to a group of outstanding men, distinguished by knowledge and holiness, who both taught and put into practice, as well as defended, the true faith which was under attach by its enemies.”

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Giving - Overview

St. John Cantius Church depends on the generous donations of parishioners and friends to support the ongoing work of our parish. Funds donated are used to support the work of evangelization and to further maintain and refurbish our parish church. Contact Fr. Frank Phillips, C.R., Pastor, at 312-243-7373 for more information.

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St. John Cantius Church
825 N. Carpenter St.
Chicago, Illinois 60692-5499

Phone: 312-243-7373
Fax: 312-243-4545

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Rev. C. Frank Phillips, C.R.

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Padre Pio on: The Spirit of God

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About St. John Cantius - the Saint’s Story

St. John of Kenty Patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims

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Giving - Overview

Contact Us

Staff, Organizations and Activities Email Addresses

St. John of Kenty
Patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims