Vigil of the Birth of St. John the Baptist

Celebrating Vigil of the Birth of St. John the Baptist on June 23.

The Vigil of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist is a unique moment in the liturgical calendar, honoring the one whom Jesus called “the greatest born of woman.” John’s role was not to build his own kingdom, but to prepare the way for Christ. The vigil invites us to pause—not just in celebration, but in anticipation. It’s a moment of stillness before proclamation, of quiet before mission.

For Catholic professionals, John’s example is especially instructive. In a culture that prizes self-promotion and personal branding, John points us to a radically different posture: humility. “He must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30) is not just a theological statement—it’s a vocational principle. John was a voice, not the Word. He lived his calling fully and fervently, but always in service of another.

This vigil also reminds us that preparation matters. Just as John spent years in the desert before his brief but powerful public ministry, we too are often called to seasons of hiddenness—studying, working behind the scenes, building integrity. These seasons are not wasted; they are the soil from which authentic influence grows.

Finally, John’s birth signals joy. Even before he spoke a word, his presence was cause for celebration and prophecy. Your presence, your vocation, your preparation—when rooted in Christ—can also be a source of hope and direction for others.

As we keep vigil, may we ask for John’s spirit of courage, clarity, and humility in our work, our choices, and our witness. May we, too, prepare the way.