oman Catholics will observe the feast of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist (San Juan de Bautista) on Saturday, June 24.
St. John the Baptist (Catholic Online)
St. John de Baptist is one of only two saints, the other one being the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose birth anniversary is commemorated by the Roman Catholic Church.
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula will preside over a high mass (misa mayor) in his honor at the Shrine of St. John the Baptist (Pinaglabanan Church) in San Juan City in commemoration of the feast day of its patron saint on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The blessing of the new baptistery, rectory and the function hall will precede the mass. Feast masses will also be celebrated at 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., and at 12 noon
Novena masses were held at the church from June 15 to 23. Other activities held in celebration of his feast day include a mass wedding, a karakol and procession of the centuries-old image of St. John the Baptist, and a mass baptism and confirmation.
A commemorative mass will also be celebrated at the St. John the Baptist Parish (Quiapo Church) in Manila.
Traditional festivities held in honor of St. John the Baptist include the “Parada ng Lechon” in Balayan, Batangas and the “Taong Putik” Festival in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija. Popularly known among the locals as “pagsa-San Juan,” participants in the parade traditionally cover themselves with mud and adorn their bodies with vines and leaves as inspired by St. John’s attire during his time.
Celebrated since the year 506, making it one of the oldest feasts in the Church calendar, St. John’s other feast day is on Aug. 29, which is the Feast of his Beheading.