Feast: May 6 (Traditional Roman Calendar)
The feast of Saint John Before the Latin Gate commemorates a miraculous event in the life of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, the beloved disciple of Our Lord and author of the Fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the Apocalypse.
Historical Background and the Event
Under the reign of Emperor Domitian (AD 81–96), who launched a severe persecution against Christians, St. John was arrested in Ephesus, where he had been preaching the Gospel and leading the Church after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose care had been entrusted to him by Christ on the Cross.
According to ancient tradition, as recorded by Tertullian and referenced in the Roman Martyrology, John was brought to Rome to stand trial for his faith. The authorities condemned him not to immediate death, but to a brutal martyrdom: he was to be plunged into a cauldron of boiling oil. This execution was ordered to take place before the Latin Gate (Porta Latina), one of the southern gates of the ancient Roman city walls.
Yet, God preserved His Apostle. When John was lowered into the boiling oil, he emerged unharmed, as though stepping from a bath. The onlookers were astonished, and the miracle bore powerful witness to the truth of the Christian faith.
Following this miraculous deliverance, rather than execute him again, the authorities banished John to the Island of Patmos, where he received the visions recorded in the Book of the Apocalypse (Revelation).
Liturgical Commemoration
The feast of St. John Before the Latin Gate is observed on May 6 in the Traditional Roman Rite, and it is distinct from the more widely known Feast of St. John the Evangelist on December 27, which celebrates his role as apostle and evangelist.
The Church traditionally kept this feast to:
- Honor the miraculous preservation of St. John.
- Recall his unwavering witness to Christ in the face of persecution.
- Encourage the faithful to stand firm in the truth, knowing that God can deliver His servants even from the most violent threats.
The Church of San Giovanni a Porta Latina, located near the site of the miracle in Rome, still commemorates this event.
Spiritual Reflections and Lessons
- Purity and Martyrdom: Though St. John was not martyred by blood, his willingness to suffer for Christ earned him the title of martyr in will, a powerful witness of both purity and fidelity.
- Divine Protection: The boiling oil that left him untouched is a sign of God’s sovereignty over creation and His providential care for His saints.
- Apostolic Witness: As the last surviving Apostle and the one who “remained” until the Lord came to him in vision (cf. John 21:22), St. John stands as a symbol of faithful endurance until the end.
- Love and Truth: John’s entire life and writings emphasize charity grounded in truth—a core message for Catholics, especially amid persecution or confusion.