Have you ever wondered why we always celebrate saints on the day of their death rather than on the day of they were born?

Traditionally, the Church commemorates saints on the day they entered eternal life—their dies natalis (“birthday into Heaven”). Their earthly death marks the beginning of their heavenly glory, making it the most fitting day for their liturgical celebration.

However, the Catholic Church only breaks this rule to celebrate three birthdays: Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Dec 25), Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Sept 08), and whose Solemnity of Nativity we celebrate today, Saint John the Baptist (June 24).

Why him? Tradition holds that Saint John the Baptist, the Precursor of Christ, was cleansed from original sin in his mother’s womb. Many of us are surprised to learn this truth, as it is rarely discussed.

While it is entirely different from the Immaculate Conception (where the Blessed Mother was preserved from sin from the very first moment of her conception), Saint John was instead purified in the womb after his conception.

This is what we celebrate on the Feast of the Visitation, the exact moment the voice of the pregnant Virgin Mary reached Elizabeth. This is mentioned in the Catholic Encyclopedia:

“Then was accomplished the prophetic utterance of the angel that the child should ‘be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb’. Now as the presence of any sin whatever is incompatible with the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in the soul, it follows that at this moment John was cleansed from the stain of original sin.”

Because John was born already holy and set apart, his physical birth into the world is celebrated with the highest liturgical rank: a Solemnity. He who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord, was beautifully prepared by the Lord before he even took his first breath.

As we celebrate his Solemnity today, let us ask ourselves: Are we, like Saint John the Baptist, clearing a path for Jesus in our daily lives, our families, and our workplaces?

LET US PRAY :

Lord Jesus, Your cousin John prepared the way for Your coming into the world. Through his intercession, grant that I may welcome You into my heart as Savior and King and hear the special intention I bring to you today.

St. John the Baptist, pray for us!