Feast of St. John the Evangelist, Dec. 27

“John the Evangelist,” miniature from the “Grandes Heures of Anne of Brittany,” Queen consort of France (1477-1514), was painted by French painter Jean Bourdichon (1457-1521) between 1503 and 1508. (Public domain/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

John and his brother, James, Galilean fishermen called the “sons of thunder,” were chosen to be among the Twelve Apostles. John was with Jesus at the Trans-figuration, in the Garden of Gethsemane and on Calvary.

Jesus told John — also known as the “Beloved Disciple” — to look to Mary, saying, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:25-17), entrusting his care — and all of our care — to the Blessed Virgin.

He’s considered the only Apostle not to have been martyred, and is also said to have written the Book of Revelation while in exile on the island of Patmos, dying at an old age around 100 AD. In addition to Revelation, he and his community of followers are credited with writing the fourth Gospel and three epistles. He’s often depicted as very young while with Jesus, or very old while in exile.

Become Catholic

You have a place in the Catholic Church, and we are excited to help you find it!

Magazine Publications

Issue August, September 2026  Magazine Cover
Seminary Magazine vol 2
2026-JUN-JUL
2026-APR-MAY-798x1024
2026-FEB-MAR
2025-DEC-JAN

The Catholic Sun Archive

Browse though the Diocese of Phoenix News dating back to the 1970s. The Catholic News Archive is a free, fully searchable digital archive of Catholic newspapers

Inside Nazareth Seminary in the Diocese of Phoenix

Bishop Dolan visits and serves at Andre House

Bishop Dolan joins volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul to make pizza.

Sign up and receive free weekly E-newsletter every Wednesday morning.