St. John the Apostle

Who they were

John, son of Zebedee, was the youngest of the Twelve by tradition: a Galilean fisherman called with his brother James, one of the inner three at the Transfiguration and at Gethsemane, and, in the Gospel bearing his name, the disciple whom Jesus loved, who leaned on his chest at the Last Supper.

His singular credential is Good Friday. Alone of the Twelve, John stood at the cross, and from it received the charge that gives this site its shape: behold your mother, taking Mary into his home from that hour. He outran Peter to the empty tomb and waited at the door, a detail that is his own telling, and recognized the Lord first at the lakeshore. By the ancient tradition he alone of the apostles died in old age rather than by martyrdom, at Ephesus, where Jerome preserves the story that the aged John, carried into the assembly, repeated one homily only: little children, love one another, because, he said, it is the Lord's command, and if you do it, it is enough. The Gospel, three letters, and by attribution the book of Revelation carry his name.

Why people turn to St. John the Apostle

Anyone trying to be the friend who stays: at the hospital bed, the graveside, the long decline. Adult children caring for a widowed parent are living his exact assignment. Theologians and writers claim the eagle.

How to ask their intercession

For the grace of presence, since showing up and staying is the whole Johannine record. And love one another, prayed on his feast two days after Christmas, is a complete rule of life in four words.