<p>St. John Joseph of the Cross was born on August 15, 1654 on the Feast of the Assumption, on the beautiful island of Ischia, near Naples.&nbsp; His birth name was San Giovan Guiseppe della Croce.&nbsp; From his childhood he was the model of virtue, and at the age of sixteen he entered the Franciscan Order in Naples.&nbsp; He had a reputation for austerity and for the gift of miracles.&nbsp; Three years after his entering, he was sent to found a Friary at Afila, Piedmont.&nbsp; He actually assisted in the construction of the Friary.&nbsp;</p> <p>He was ordained a Priest, out of obedience, as he didn&rsquo;t feel worthy to become a Priest.&nbsp; As the Superior of his friary, he performed the lowliest tasks in his monastic community, with a strong virtue of humility.&nbsp; As they grew, he obtained permission to build a Convent and drew up Rules for that community, which were approved by the Holy See.&nbsp; He had a profound knowledge of theology, and became the Master of the Novices.&nbsp;</p> <p>With his work, he suffered much and became the victim of numerous calumnies.&nbsp; However, the saint succeeded in his labors, instilling in the hearts of his subjects the double spirit of Contemplation and Penance.&nbsp;&nbsp; He was noted for his heroic virtues especially humility and religious discipline.&nbsp; He also possessed numerous gifts in the supernatural order, such as the gift of prophecy and miracles.&nbsp; Exhausted by the labors that consumed him, all for the Glory of God, he died from internal bleeding from an illness, on March 5, 1734 at the age of 84.&nbsp; He was beatified in 1789 and canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI.&nbsp; There is a Chapel consecrated to St. John of the Cross on the Island of Ischia, at the Aragonese Castle.&nbsp;</p> <h1><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Practical Take Away</strong></span></h1> <p>St. John Joseph of the Cross was born on the island of Ischia, near Naples, Italy.&nbsp; He was known for his strong knowledge in the faith from an early age.&nbsp; He entered the Franciscan Order at the age of sixteen in Naples.&nbsp; After three years, he was sent to found a Friary in Piedmont.&nbsp;&nbsp; He was blessed with the gift of prophecy and miracles, and was known well throughout the Italian speaking countries.&nbsp; He died at the age of 84, after exhausting himself in building up the kingdom of God.&nbsp; He was canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI, and was named the Patron Saint of the Island of Ischia, Italy.&nbsp;</p>