Our Lord tells us Himself in the Gospel of St. Luke that “among those born of women, no one is greater than John” (Luke 7:28). Indeed, St. John the Baptist has enjoyed a high level of esteem throughout the history of the Catholic Church, so much so that he is one of three people whose birthdays are celebrated in the liturgical calendar; the others are, of course, Our Lord at Christmas, and Our Lady on the eighth of September. In the history of art in the Church, little John the Baptist is often depicted with the Holy Family. It is a worthy birthday to celebrate, for St. John the Baptist was the precursor to the coming of Our Lord, “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (John 1:23). 

Like the Desert Fathers or the saints of the hermetic tradition, St. John the Baptist can feel very far from us, for it seems impossible that we could ever attain a degree of holiness that even comes close to his. His life out in the wilderness can seem extreme and remote from our modern lives. But Our Lord reminds us that “the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28). We ought to pray to St. John the Baptist and ask him to intercede for us, that we might proclaim the Lord in our own lives, using the unique gifts which He has given us—whether we find ourselves in the desert or in the grocery store. 

In the meantime, consider adding the Nativity of St. John the Baptist to the feasts that you celebrate annually; many of the traditional means of observing the feast day are particularly enjoyable and especially fitting during the summer! 

• Make a bonfire on the eve of the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. One of the most iconic traditions associated with this feast is the lighting of a bonfire on the eve of the feast day (June 23). As one writer describes it, “[t]hese ‘Saint John’s fires’ burn brightly and quietly along the fiords of Norway, on the peaks of the Alps, on the slopes of the Pyrenees, and on the mountains of Spain (where they are called Hogueras). They were an ancient symbol of the warmth and light of the sun which the forefathers greeted at the beginning of summer.” 

• Have a summer picnic (or simply eat al fresco) and play outdoor games. In many countries throughout the world, the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is an incredibly joy-filled day of celebrations. The day has often been marked with a picnic and with dances and games going back as least to the Middle Ages! If you can eat outside and play a game of tag, you will have observed the day beautifully. 

• Ask your parish priest to bless your herbs and dried flowers on this feast day. A traditional practice on the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist was the blessing of herbs and flowers. If this is not currently a practice at your local parish, ask your pastor if he will permit it! It is a lovely way to bring the blessing of the Church into your home.

• Make a honey cake to mark the feast day. Because St. John the Baptist ate wild honey, it is customary to make a dessert featuring honey as a main ingredient. A honey cake is a wonderful option (you can find lots of recipes through a simple online search). If you need a simpler alternative, consider honey graham crackers, or perhaps a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of honey on top. 

• End the day in prayer. Our celebrations of the lives of the saints should always lead us back to Christ. In the case of St. John the Baptist, it is especially fitting that we should be led by this great saint back to Our Lord, for the whole purpose of his life was to point us to Christ. I can think of no better way to end a day full of fun and good food than with prayer. The Litany of St. John the Baptist is a great option as is reading the Canticle of Zechariah, John's father, in Luke 1:57-79. 

I hope these ideas for observing the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist are helpful! Remember that he is a powerful intercessor for us in heaven; if nothing else, ask him to pray for you on his feast day—and that will be enough. 

St. John the Baptist, pray for us!