The Vigil Of Saint John The Baptist. 23 June.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

23 June.
The Vigil of Saint John the Baptist.

Violet Vestments.

Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

The Sermon of Saint John the Baptist (detail).

Artist: Pieter Breughel the Elder (1526-1569).

Date: 1566.

Current location: Szépművészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts),

Budapest, Hungary.

Source: Own work.

Author: Yelkrokoyade. Taken on 20 July 2013.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Infant Jesus and John the Baptist.

Artist: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617-1682).

Date: 1600s.

Source: http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Bartolome-Esteban-Murillo/

Infant-Christ-Offering-A-Drink-Of-Water-To-St-John-1675-80.html.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the Gospel of 25 March, we read that the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that, three months later, Elizabeth, in virtue of a Divine Miracle, would have a son.

This is why the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is celebrated towards the end of June.

This important Feast is preceded by a Vigil.