Optional Memorial of Saint John XXIII, Pope
The first time somebody hears of St. John XXIII, often one of the first comments made by them is something along the lines “That’s a lot of Johns”. It can seem strange that someone, after being named Pope, would deliberately choose such a commonly used name. Wouldn’t he want to stand out? It’s one thing to choose a name that had been used before, even several times, but 23 times? Yet perhaps something beautiful is being communicated in choosing such a “used” name. It communicates being a part of something greater than oneself. It communicates that “making his mark” is not as important as being the custodian of what has been entrusted to him. It communicates honor for tradition. It communicates honor for the saint whose name he took. In other words, there is humility in choosing such a name. Such humility is not surprising; John XXIII had quite the reputation for humility. He was known to be a funny man, a joyful man, a kindhearted man, and a man of profound prayer. Good humor, joy, kindness, and prayer are all ways in which humility manifests itself. So perhaps choosing to take the most commonly used name in the history of the papacy was, in fact, perfectly in character for him.