Franciscan Priest (1385-1456)

His story

+ Born in 1385, John studied at the University of Perugia and practiced law in Naples. Appointed governor of Perugia, he was taken captive during a war with a neighboring town.

+ Upon his release, he entered the Franciscans, where he and Saint James of the March studied together under Saint Bernardine of Siena, who inspired John to spread devotion to the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. A brilliant preacher and founder he traveled extensively throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

+ In 1456 he was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to preach and lead a crusade against Mohammed II, who threatened to invade Vienna and Rome. Although he was seventy years of age, John marched at the head of 70,000 Christians, winning a great victory at the Battle of Belgrade; he died three months later in Illok, Hungary.

+ Saint John of Capistrano was canonized in 1724. He is honored as a patron saint of jurists and as one of the patron saints of Hungary.

For prayer and reflection:

O LORD, my allotted portion and cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.—Psalm 16:7-8

Spiritual Bonus:

On this day, certain dioceses and religious communities celebrate a special feast in honor of the Most Holy Redeemer. The feast honors the grace of redemption offered by Christ and was first celebrated in Venice in 1576 in thanksgiving for the end of a plague that was ravaging the city.

Prayer

O God, who raised up Saint John of Capistrano
to comfort your faithful people in tribulation,
place us, we pray, under your safe protection
and keep your Church in everlasting peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Fr. Silas Henderson, S.D.S

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