The Nativity of St John the Baptist

Coincidentally, or providentially, our sister blog is currently posting on St John the Baptist in our study of Fouard's Life of Christ. See Life of Christ.

Baronzio , c1335. NGA Washington.

[24] And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak to the multitudes concerning John. What went ye out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?
Et cum discessissent nuntii Joannis, coepit de Joanne dicere ad turbas : Quid existis in desertum videre? arundinem vento agitatam?

[25] But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are in costly apparel and live delicately, are in the houses of kings.
Sed quid existis videre? hominem mollibus vestibus indutum? Ecce qui in veste pretiosa sunt et deliciis, in domibus regum sunt.

[26] But what went you out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
Sed quid existis videre? prophetam? Utique dico vobis, et plus quam prophetam :

[27] This is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
hic est, de quo scriptum est : Ecce mitto angelum meum ante faciem tuam, qui praeparabit viam tuam ante te.

[28] For I say to you: Amongst those that are born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. But he that is the lesser in the kingdom of God, is greater than he.
Dico enim vobis : major inter natos mulierum propheta Joanne Baptista nemo est : qui autem minor est in regno Dei, major est illo. [Luke 7]

Totus tuus ego sum 

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam