Passed on by my dear dad (see previous post for back story):
"In the Church's veneration of her saints, the cultus of St. John the Baptist had from earliest times and continues to have a most prominent place. John gave testimony of the true Light that shines in the darkness, although he proclaimed in utter humility: "He must increase, but I must decrease." And the Master also spoke in highest praise of His precursor: "I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist." Attuned to the words of the Gospel, the Christians of former times were filled with love and enthusiasm for this saint, and expressed a justifiable conviviality at the approach of his feast-day by lighting a bonfire the night before in front of their churches, in the market-places, on the hilltops, and in the valleys. The custom of St. John bonfires, indicative of a people with unabashed and childlike faith, continues in some places to this day." (The Rev. Dr. Philip T. Weller)
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