St. John Nepomuk was a Czech priest and martyr who lived in the 14th century. He is best known for his strong defense of the sacrament of confession and his refusal to disclose the secrets of the confessional, which ultimately led to his execution. He is often depicted with a halo of five stars, symbolizing his sanctity and the five secrets he kept. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XIII in 1729 and is the patron saint of confessors, bridges, and water. His feast day is celebrated on May 16, and he is particularly venerated in Bohemia and other parts of Europe.