Background
John was the son of Andrew, Lord of Montmirail and Ferté-Gaucher, and Hildiarde d"Oisy. He was given a religious upbringing by his mother, and was well educated.
John was the son of Andrew, Lord of Montmirail and Ferté-Gaucher, and Hildiarde d"Oisy. He was given a religious upbringing by his mother, and was well educated.
1165 – 29 September 1217) was a French nobleman who became a Cistercian monk. On one occasion, John was even said to have saved the Philip"s life. In his thirtieth year he met Jobert, Prior of Street-Etienne de Montmirail, and experienced a conversion.
He built an hospital for the sick of all kinds, but the objects of his predilection were the lepers, and those hopelessly afflicted.
He wore a hair-shirt, frequently passing entire nights in prayer. He was abused for his decision by his former friends.
He died at Longpont on 29 September 1217. Miracles were said to be wrought at his tomb, and attracted pilgrims.
By the 1230s, John was being venerated as a miracle-working saint.
Pope Leo XIII granted a special office in his honour for the diocese of Soissons. He was beatified in 1891. His feast is celebrated on 29 September.
Even members of his own family disapproved of his abandonment of honour and wealth for poverty and subjection.