Description

St Jan Sarkander Healing Oil

St Jan Sarkander Healing Oil from A Blessed Call To Love, Ireland.

Jan Sarkander (1576-1620) was a Czech Roman Catholic priest, preacher, and martyr. He was born in Skoczow, Silesia, which was then part of the Kingdom of Bohemia, and he grew up in a devout Catholic family.

After completing his studies in Prague, Sarkander was ordained as a priest and began serving as a pastor in a small town called Holešov. He soon became known for his eloquent sermons and his tireless work among the poor.

In 1616, Sarkander was appointed chaplain to the governor of Olomouc, a city in Moravia. While there, he became involved in a controversy over the ownership of church property, which had been seized by the state. Sarkander took a strong stand in defense of the Church’s rights and was arrested and tortured for his beliefs.

Despite the severe torture, Sarkander refused to reveal any secrets of the confessional or to incriminate anyone else. He died from his injuries on March 17, 1620, and was buried in a common grave.

Sarkander’s death was widely mourned by the Catholic community in Bohemia and Moravia. And he was soon venerated as a martyr. In 1860, he was beatified by Pope Pius IX, and in 1995, he was canonized by Pope John Paul II.

Today, St. Jan Sarkander considered one of the most important figures in Czech Catholicism. His life and martyrdom are celebrated each year on March 17th, the anniversary of his death.