St. John of Kanty, December 23
A professor of theology at the University of Kraków, John of Kanty (1390-1473) was famous for giving everything he had to the poor, even the clothes he wore. He made pilgrimages to Rome and Jerusalem on foot. He is the patron of Poland and of Polish students.
On the General Roman Calendar, December 23 is an optional memorial: Saint John of Kanty, priest.
December 23 on the calendar
December 23 is the 357th day of the year (the 358th in a leap year), with 8 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | Thursday |
| 2028 | Saturday |
| 2029 | Sunday |
| 2030 | Monday |
Keeping December 23
December 23 falls in the last days of Advent. As an optional memorial, each parish or priest may choose whether to celebrate it. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival.
Saints of the week around December 23
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| December 20 | St. Dominic of Silos |
| December 21 | St. Peter Canisius |
| December 22 | St. Frances Xavier Cabrini |
| December 24 | Sts. Adam and Eve |
| December 25 | Christmas |
| December 26 | St. Stephen |
The day before, December 22, is the day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. The day after, December 24, belongs to Sts. Adam and Eve. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.