Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day

 Introduction and history

Saint –Jean –Baptiste day is celebrated on the 24th of June. It is a day of public Holiday in Quebec and other areas of French Canada. St. John Baptiste is a Jewish preacher who baptized Jesus in the lake of Jordan. This day is also known as la saint –Jean, St. John the Baptist Day, Fete Nationale Quebec and Quebec’s National holiday.

The history of this festival is associated with the celebrations of the summer solstice an ancient pagan tradition in which fires were lit to celebrate light on the longest day of the year. The Roman Catholic church of France also adopted this holiday and associated it with John the Baptist as a cousin of Jesus. From just being attached to religious views by the passage of time this day expanded and became more focused on the Culture, Art, and unity of Quebec. Saint –Jean – Baptiste, The day is now seen as a time for national unity and also served as a platform for the artists and politicians.

 

Ways of celebration –

St. Jean Baptiste day is a day off for the general population and school. Most of the businesses are closed on this day. Public celebration events like Rock and Jazz concerts, sports tournaments, Parades, and firework displays are organized on this big Day. For personal celebration people plan picnics, barbecues, bonfires, and Games. On this auspicious day church bell rings and public dances and fun fairs are held. Roman Catholic church of France also adopted this he holiday

 

How kids celebrate it?

Holidays are an occasion to Celebrate, learn New things and to Enjoy. Kids on this day learn new things like they learn French which is associated with this day , they make craft about this special day , enjoy the barbecues and picnics .

 

Books on Saint- Jean – Baptiste Day-

John the Baptiste (link)

Bible time  (link)

 John prepares the ways for lord. (link)

Waiting on God (link)

St. Jean Baptiste day (link)

 

 

Gifts ideas on Saint-Jean- Baptiste day-

Greeting Card (Link)

Mug  (Link)

Quebec T-shirt (link)

St- Jean- Baptiste painting (Link)

St-Jean- Baptiste Postcard (link)

 

 

Quotes by Saint- Jean- Baptiste –

Learning without piety produces a proud device; piety without learning produces a useless one.

 

Teachers who are not actively involved in the learning process themselves, force their students to drink from stagnant water

 

Children are guilty of unpardonable rudeness when they spit in the face of a companion; neither are they excusable who spit from windows or on walls or furniture.

 

In taking soup, it is necessary to avoid lifting too much in the spoon, or filling the mouth so full as almost to stop the breath.

 

The birch is used only out of bad temper and weakness, for the birch is a servile punishment which degrades the soul even when it corrects, if indeed it corrects, for its usual effect is to harden.

 

Ways to wish on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day-

Wishing everyone a musical Baptiste day this time. Let us join the musical concerts taking place around the country and celebrate this day a little differently this year.

On this day let us join the parades happening in different parts of the city in remembrance and support of our greatest national heroes.

This Saint Jean Baptiste Day let us take the opportunity of being baptized by the church the same as St John baptized Jesus by the Jordan River.

Wishing a very special St-Jean-Baptiste Day this year to you and your family. Let us all fill the Canadian sky by different firecrackers and light up the nation in happiness.

St. Jean-Baptiste Day is more than just about Quebec’s national holiday, this day is also about the celebration of Canada’s incredibly rich culture of which we Canadians feel Proud.