While St. John was a martyr by desire though not in deed, he was also a virgin and the Beloved Apostle of Our Lord. He laid his head on Our Lord's breast at the Last Supper. It was to this virginal Apostle to whom Our Lord entrusted His Blessed Mother while He was dying on the cross. St. John wrote his Gospel, three Letters and the Book of the Apocalypse.
"Nearest to Jesus' Crib, after Stephen, stand John, the Apostle and Evangelist. . . .But next to the sacrifice of Blood, the noblest, the bravest sacrifice, and that which most wins the heart of him who is the Spouse of souls, is the sacrifice of Virginity. Now just as St. Stephen is looked upon as the type of Martyrs, St. John is honoured as the Prince of Virgins. Martyrdom won for Stephen the Crown and palm; Virginity merited for john most singular prerogatives, which, while they show how dear to God is holy Chastity, put this Disciple among those who by their dignity and influence are above the rest of men."
The Liturgical Year, Volume 2 by Dom Gueranger
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
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