St. John of Capistrano (1386-1456)
Image Courtesy: St Paul Street Evangelization
(Franciscan Media) Its been said that Saint’s are the worlds greatest optimists. Not blind to the existence and consequence of evil, they based their confidence on the power of Christ’s redemption. The power of conversion through Christ, extends not only to sinful persons but also to calamitous events.
Imagine being born in the 14th century, one third of the population and nearly 40% of the Clergy were wiped out by the bubonic plague. The Western schism split of the Church with 2 or 3 claimants to the Holy See at one time. — England and France were at war, Italy’s cities in conflict, its not a wonder that ‘doom and gloom’ dominated the spirits of people living during this period.
John Capistrano born in Italy Capistrano, was the son of a German Knight according to SQPN and he would bury his father while he was still quite young. As a young man, John studied at the University of Prague and later worked as an Attorney in Naples, becoming a reforming Governor in Italy Perugia under King Landislas. When war broke out between Perugia and the ‘House of Malatesta’ in 1416 John attempted to broker a peace treaty but when the opponents ignored the truce, John was taken as a prisoner-of-war.
During John’s imprisonment, he made a decision to change vocations. He had married just before the war but his marriage was never consummated and with his bride’s consent, his marriage was subsequently annulled.
At the age of 30 John joined the Franciscans at Perugia and was Ordained a Priest, 4 years later.
Fr. John’s ministry attracted great throngs during a time of religious apathy and confusion–Subsequently he together with 12 Franciscan Brethren were received warmly, instrumental in reviving Christianity throughout Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Russia together with establishing communities of Franciscans.
The Franciscan Order during this same period was in turmoil concerning the interpretation and observance of the Rule of Saint Francis — Through Fr. John’s tireless efforts and his expertise in law, the heretical Fraticelli were suppressed and the ‘Spirituals’ were freed from interference in their stricter observance.
When the Muslims of Turkey captured Constantinople in 1453 Fr. John, was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to preach at a crusade in defense of Europe. Gaining little response in Bavaria and Austria, Fr. John decided to concentrate his efforts in Hungary, leading an Army of 70,000 Christian Soldiers according to SQPN to Belgrade under the great General John Hunyadi there they gained and overwhelming victory and the siege of Belgrade was lifted.
Worn out by his years of indefatigable work, Fr. John became easy prey to infection and illness subsequent to the battle to free Europe from the Muslims and he passed away on this date in 1456 at Hungary Villach.
Fr. John of Capistrano was Beatified in 1650 by Pope Innocent X and was Canonized in 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII
Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. John of Capistrano, Visit: -USCCB