St John of Kanty was born at Kanty in Silesia, Poland in the year 1390. For most of his life, John taught Scripture at the University of Krakow. He is noted for his piety, and especially for the humble and unassuming spirit of charity which pervaded his professional life. John went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, in the hope of being martyred. He also made four pilgrimages to Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When warned to look after his health, he pointed out that the early desert fathers lived long lives in conditions that had nothing to recommend them but the presence of God. John died in 1473 in Krakow, Poland and was canonised by Pope Clement XIII in 1767. He is the patron saint of Lithuania and Poland.
