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St. John Joseph of the Cross

City of Ischia from 04/09 to 08/09
San Giovan Giuseppe was born in Ischia on August 15, 1654 with the name of Carlo Gaetano Calosirto. At just the age of 16 he was welcomed by the Franciscans in the convent of S. Lucia al Monte in Naples, on June 24, 1671 where he made his solemn profession on 18 September 1677 and was ordained a priest. After three years, he asked to be deprived of active and passive voice and devote himself exclusively to prayer and the apostolate, in 1688 he returned to Ischia to assist the dying mother and then to his poor health. Died in Naples on March 5, 1734, in the convent of S. Lucia al Monte. On October 4, 1779 in the Franciscan church of S. Maria d'Aracoeli in Rome, Pope Pius VI declared the heroic virtues of Brother John Joseph of the Cross. The same Pope proclaimed him Blessed in the Basilica of St. Peter on May 24, 1789. On May 26 1839, Pope Gregory XVI canonized this holy son of Ischia, the Church's glory, honor and pride of the Franciscan Order.
In the church calendar, the Saint is honored on March 5, while the festivities in the streets of Ischia Ponte, were held on the first Sunday of September for a period of four days. In these days of celebration, the church is decorated and Masses were celebrated continuously, the relic of the saint is carried in procession through the city streets and sea where the boat with the relic is followed by the fishermen. The festivities end with a fireworks show.