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Also known a: Giovanni da
Capestrano; John Capistran
Profile
Son of a former German knight, his father died when John was still young.
Studied law at the University of Perugia. Lawyer in Naples, Italy.
Reforming governor of Perugia under King Landislas of Naples. When war
broke out between Perugia and Malatesta in 1416, John tried to broker a
peace, but instead his opponents ignored the truce, John became a prisoner
of war.
During his imprisonment he came to the decision to change vocations. He
had married just before the war, but the marriage was never consummated,
and with his bride's permission, it was annulled. Franciscan at Perugia on
4 October 1416. Fellow student with Saint James of the Marches. Disciple
of Saint Bernadine of Siena. Noted preacher while still a deacon,
beginning his work in 1420. Itinerant priest throughout Italy, Germany,
Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia, preaching to tens of
thousands. Established communities of Franciscan renewal. Reported to heal
by making the Sign of the Cross over a sick person. Wrote extensively,
mainly against the heresies of the day.
After the fall of Constantinople, he preached Crusade against the Muslim
Turks. At age 70 he was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to lead it, and
marched off at the head of 70,000 Christian soldiers. He won the great
battle of Belgrade in the summer of 1456. He died in the field a few
months later, but his army delivered Europe from the Muslims.
Born
1386 at Capistrano, Italy
Died
23 October 1456 at Villach, Hungary of natural causes
Beatified
1694
Canonized
1724
Name Meaning
God is gracious ( = John)
Patronage
judges, jurists, military chaplains
Representation
man with a crucifix and lance, treading a turban underfoot; Franciscan
with cross on his breast and carrying banner of the cross; Franciscan
preaching, angels with rosaries and IHS above him; Franciscan pointing to
a crucifix which he holds
Readings
Those who are called to the table of the Lord must glow with the
brightness that comes from the good example of a praiseworthy and
blameless life. They must completely remove from their lives the filth and
uncleanness of vice. Their upright lives must make them like the salt of
the earth for themselves and for the rest of mankind. The brightness of
their wisdom must make them like the light of the world that brings light
to others. They must learn from their eminent teacher, Jesus Christ, what
he declared not only to his apostles and disciples, but also to all the
priests and clerics who were to succeed them, when he said, "You are the
salt of the earth. But what is salt that goes flat? How can you restore its
flavor? Then it is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled
underfoot."
Jesus also said: "You are the light of the world." Now a light does not
illumine itself, but instead it diffuses its rays and shines all around
upon everything that comes into its view. So it must be with the glowing
lives of upright and holy clerics. By the brightness of their holiness
they must bring light and serenity to all who gaze upon them. They have
been placed here to care for others. Their own lives should be an example
to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord.
from the treatise Mirror of the Clergy by Saint John of Capistrano
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj27.htm
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