Saint  John Joseph of the Cross

Servants of God

O.F.M.

Carolo Gaetano Calosirto was born in 1654, on the Feast of the Assumption,  on the Island of Ischia, in front of Naples, Italy.  From his childhood he was the model of virtue. He always dressed like a poor man, though he was of noble birth. because he wanted to be as poor as Jesus had been. At the age of sixteen years he entered the Order of St. Francis at Naples, among the Friars of the Alcantarine Reform, being the first Italian to join this reform which had been instituted in Spain by St.Peter of Alcantara, who sought to make the Order more devoted to penance and austerity.

Few years later, he was sent to found a monastery in Piedimonte Matese, in region Campania,   and he assisted with his own hands in the building.  He became Master of Novices.and, later, he was ordained a priest.  Father John Joseph became the superior at the monastery of Santa Lucia al Monte in Naples, where he spent most of his long life. In 1702 he was appointed Vicar Provincial of the Alcantarine Reform in Italy.  He labored hard to establish in Italy that branch of his Order which the Pope had separated from the one in Spain. He suffered much and became the victim of numerous calumnies. However, he succeeded in his labors, spreading the Alcantarine double spirit of contemplation and penance.

John Joseph always insisted on performing the lowliest offices in the community and exemplified the most sublime virtues, especially humility and religious discipline.  He wanted very much to live a self-sacrificing life as Jesus had. This led him to cheerfully make many sacrifices.   Throughout his life he was given to the greatest austerity: he fasted constantly, never drank wine, and slept three hours each night.
"How do you think that with a bone only three fingers high," he once said, tapping his forehead, "we should understand the meanings of the designs of God?"
He had a very loving nature and was very generous. He also possessed numerous gifts in the supernatural order, such as those of prophecy and miracles. He is said to have predicted St.Mary Frances' future sanctity before her birth.
He did not try to be the center of attention. Instead of waiting for people to recognize his gifts and reach out to him, he would reach out to others. All the priests and brethren thought of him as a loving father. When his term as provincial expired, he dedicated himself to hearing confessions. His zeal for souls was such that even in sickness he would not spare any labour for them. He greatly loved the Blessed Virgin and tried to help others love Her.

John Joseph died on 5th March, 1734, at the age of eighty, and was buried in his convent of Santa Lucia al Monte, Naples.  He was beatified in 1789 and proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius VIII in 1839.  His feast day is on 5th March and he is the Patron Saint of the Island of Ischia, together with St.Restituta.  He is also the Patron of navigators, Spanish poets and writers.