Saint John Joseph of the Cross

Also known as

• Carolo Gaetano Calosinto
• Giovanni Giuseppe Calosinto of the Cross
• John Joseph Calosinto

Memorial

• 5 March

Profile

Joined Franciscans at age 16. Ascetic. First Italian to follow the reform movement of Saint Peter Alcantara who sought to make the Order more devoted to penance and austerity. John had such a reputation for holiness that his superiors put him in charge of establishing a new friary before he was ordained. He joined the work crew, serving as a hod carrier, then a mason. Novice master, guardian, and provincial of the Order. When his term as provincial expired, he dedicated himself to hearing confessions and practising mortification, two concerns contrary to the spirit of the dawning Age of Enlightenment. Had the gifts of prophecy and healing, and would swoon into ecstasies; known to levitate and bilocate.

Born

• 15 August 1654 at Ischia, Naples, Italy as Carolo Gaetano Calosirto

Died

• 5 March 1734 of natural causes

Beatified

• 24 May 1789 by Pope Pius VI

Canonized

• 26 May 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI

Patronage

• Ischia, Italy

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Catholic Encyclopedia, by Father Cuthbert
• Catholic Online
• Catholic Online
• Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
• Wikipedia

Readings

How do you think that with a bone only three fingers high we should understand the meanings of the designs of God? - Saint John Joseph, tapping his forehead

MLA Citation

• “Saint John Joseph of the Cross“. Saints.SQPN.com. 8 April 2013. Web. 19 June 2013. <>