The Nativity of St. John the Baptist: Witness to Life, Marriage, and Hope

St. John the Baptist stands as a powerful witness to life in the womb, the truth of marriage, social justice, and humble discipleship. This article explores why Catholics should look to him as a martyr for marriage, the “best man” of Christ the Bridegroom, and a hopeful intercessor for families, the unborn, and those experiencing grief.

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St. John the Baptist, as the forerunner of Jesus Christ, is shown in Scripture to be a witness to the reality of life in the womb, an advocate for Justice, a martyr for marriage, and the best man in Jesus Christ’s Marriage to the Church. He is a saint that brings us hope, so he is a saint we should become familiar with and whose intercession we should seek.

On June 24, the Catholic Church, both East and West, celebrates the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. John the Baptist is a worthy figure for the Apostolate for Marital Intimacy to exalt. His conception was miraculous, gifted to Zechariah and Elizabeth who had not yet been blessed with children. Before his birth, John witnessed to the reality of life in the womb by jumping in the presence of Our Lord when Our Lady visited her cousin Elizabeth. 

In his life and preaching, he was an example of conviction and humility. He taught the necessity of bearing good fruit in one’s life, but he taught that this could be done in ordinary ways that did not demand an excess of heroism. When he called people to repentance and to bear good fruit for the sake of their salvation, the crowds asked him “What then shall we do?” Here was his answer: 

“Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” 

(Luke 3:10-14)  

These instructions enable us to attain holiness in ordinary life, which is important to keep in focus, particularly for those who are called to holiness through marriage and family life.

John the Baptist died as a martyr for marriage. He was put in prison by Herod because he told Herod directly that his marriage to Herodias, who had been married to Herod’s brother Philip, was unlawful. He was beheaded because Herodias got her daughter to request this of Herod. (Matthew 14:3-12) In speaking up for what marriage is supposed to be, St. John the Baptist truly was a martyr for marriage and for truth. 

St. John the Baptist and his parents, Sts. Zechariah and Elizabeth are worthy intercessors for the cause of marriage, married couples, those who suffer from infertility, the unborn and their parents, the poor, the cause of social justice, and those in need of repentance. I believe God wants to draw our attention in a special way to St. John the Baptist during this month of June. St. John the Baptist advocates for what marriage is supposed to be, while there are some who advocate this month for same-sex marriage and homosexual activity, which are against the nature of marriage and the teaching of the Catholic Church. St. John the Baptist witnesses to life in the womb, which is why it is no coincidence that Roe v. Wade was overturned on June 24, 2022, on which it was also the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Alongside the humble heart of Jesus, St. John the Baptist is an example of humility for us in a month that celebrates pride. John said “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16), and of Jesus, John said “He must increase; I must decrease. (John 3:30). St. John the Baptist brings together perfectly the pro-life cause, the defense of marriage and family, advocacy for justice and the poor, and includes them all as elements of following Jesus Christ, thus showing that these are not separate ends of a spectrum but all important elements of the work of Jesus Christ and His Church.

This Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist now has a deeper personal meaning for me, as well. June 24, 2025, was the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and it was the date of the funeral of my second son, Santino Diego McManigal. Due to circumstances outside of our control, the funeral ended up that day because we could not have it the previous week. However, it turned out to be fitting. Our son Santino died because he had holoprosencephaly, but my wife carried him the full term until his birth. In this way, my wife and our son are witnesses to the reality of life in the womb. My wife talked about how during Divine Liturgy, Santino would kick and move around in her womb in a way similar to St. John the Baptist in the presence of Christ. This grew in significance for us when after birth we saw that he did not have ears. His ability to hear the Liturgy was a spiritual ability. On top of all this, part of my journey of faith in grief following the death of my two sons entailed losing my voice, similar to how St. Zechariah, the father of St. John the Baptist, lost his. This is a story for another article.

“The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man,* who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.” (John 3:29). In the marriage of Jesus Christ to the Catholic Church, St. John the Baptist is identified as the best man, and of everyone on earth Jesus himself said there is no one greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11). Follow his example and seek his intercession in these times.