 St. John Capistran
Name: St. John Capistran
Date: 28 March
Saint John was born at Capistrano, near Naples in Italy, in 1385. Having studied both secular andcanon law, he became so skilled in it that his reputation spread over all of Italy. He was imprisonedduring a war and abandoned by his protector for some time, during which his young wife died. Heresolved while still in prison to serve in the future no other interests but those of God. His propertywas sold at his command, his ransom paid, and from his prison he entered a monastery near Perusewhere the Rule of Saint Francis was observed in its purity. The superiors, fearing this vocation to be a passing fancy, tested him severely, even sending himaway twice; but he remained day and night at the door, suffering joyfully all trials. His heroicperseverance disarmed their fears and severity, and he was admitted to religious profession. For seven years he practiced great austerities, cared for the sick in the hospitals, and preached on allsides the word of God. In this, say his biographers, he succeeded so admirably that few preachers inthe course of all the centuries can be compared with him. He became a disciple of Saint Bernardineof Siena, assisting him in public conferences and discussions. Like many great servants of God hewas calumniated, as though he had taught errors; he went to Rome to justify his teachings in thepresence of the Pope and a group of cardinals, which he did admirably well, and they recognized theobvious innocence of the accused Saint. Afterwards he preached all over Italy, and everywhere brought about the reform of lives. FivePopes in succession gave commissions to this remarkable Franciscan to represent them in importantaffairs, and he traveled to France, Austria, Poland and Germany. Everywhere his negotiations werecrowned with success. But none of the Popes succeeded in raising him to the episcopal dignity; theirefforts met an absolute resistance in his humility. His extraordinary qualities proved to be of great assistance to the Holy See in another circumstance. When Mohammed II was threatening Vienna and Rome, Saint John Capistran, at the bidding of PopeCallixtus III, enrolled for a crusade 70,000 Christians. In a vision he was assured of victory in theName of Jesus and by the Cross he bore. Marching at the head of the crusaders, he enteredBelgrade at the head of the army. This General of the Friars Minor won a remarkable victory in thatyear of 1455, when 40,000 of the enemies of the Christians perished, but virtually none among thelatter. He himself died the following year at the age of 71. He is regarded as a martyr, for enemiesof the faith twice succeeded in giving him poison, which was ineffectual; he died only from theimmense fatigue he had suffered in the defense of the city of Belgrade. “An infinity of miracles”followed his death. He was canonized in 1690. |
