Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

This feast recalls the suffering and death of John the Baptist, who bore witness to Christ even unto death.  The Church honors his sacrifice as a model of faithful witness to the truth of Christ. This feast invites the faithful to meditate on the cost of discipleship and the ultimate witness of faith through martyrdom, aligning with the Church’s call to imitate Christ’s Passion (cf. Colossians 1:24). Thus, the memorial is a solemn remembrance of John’s martyrdom, celebrated with red vestments to express the sacrifice and witness of his life.