A portrait of St. John Sarkander
St. John Sarkander
20 December 1576 – 17 March 1620
Feast
March 17 · XVII c.
Patron of
Confessors · Seal of confession · Czech clergy
Order
Priest / Martyr
Moravian priest (1576-1620), parish priest of Holešov; tortured to death by Bohemian Protestant authorities in the religious wars to make him reveal the contents of the confession of his patron Vladislav Lobkowitz. Canonized 1995 by John Paul II.
Life & Times
Born: 20 December 1576 · Died: 17 March 1620 · From: Moravia / Czech Republic.
Patronage
St. John Sarkander is invoked as the patron of confessors, seal of confession, czech clergy. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
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Devotional items honoring St. John Sarkander, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. John Sarkander, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.