As a child he was a shepherd and liked to play, but he also had a great desire to be a priest. This worried his father, because John was a great help on the farm. But at last he consented. John was not intellectually very bright and his studies were very difficult for him, but finally he made it to ordination. He was assigned to a small parish in a town quite hostile to religion. Gradually, his kindness and spiritual wisdom managed to bring the town to faith.

He is the patron of priests.