Saint John of Capistrano
“The Soldier Saint”
(1386 – 1456)

Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life

John (Giovanni) was born on 1386 in Capistrano, Italy, in the Abruzzo region, east of Rome. He was the son of a German knight, but unfortunately, his father passed away when John was still young. Despite this loss, John received a good education and studied law at the University of Perugia in Perugia, Italy.

After completing his studies, John worked as a lawyer in Naples, Italy. Soon, he gained recognition and became the reforming governor of Perugia under King Landislas of Naples.

War Prisoner

However, in 1416, a war broke out between Perugia and the House of Malatesta from Rimini, Italy. John attempted to negotiate a peace treaty, but when his efforts were ignored, he was taken prisoner.

Annulled Marriage

During his time as a prisoner of war, John had a conversion experience in which Saint Francis of Assisi appeared to him in a dream telling him to enter the Franciscan order. Although he had recently married to the daughter of a Perugian nobleman, the marriage had not been consummated, and with his wife’s permission, it was annulled.

Franciscan Friar

On October 4, 1416, John joined the Franciscans at Perugia. Although he had been a successful secular man, John cultivated extraordinary asceticism and genuine humility.

During his time as a Franciscan, John became a devoted follower of Saint Bernardine of Siena, who inspired him to promote devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. He also studied alongside another Saint James of the Marches. John’s preaching abilities quickly became evident, and even as a deacon, he was renowned for his powerful sermons.

While preaching in Italy, he carried a monogram of the Holy Name surrounded by rays. In its origin, the monogram IHS is an abbreviation of the name Jesus in Greek (A later tradition reveals that IHS denotes the Latin Iesus Hominum Salvator, meaning “Jesus Savior of Mankind.”)

In 1420, he started his work as an itinerant priest, traveling throughout Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia. He preached to tens of thousands of people and established communities of Franciscan renewal along the way. One of the notable aspects of John’s ministry was his reported ability to heal. It was said that he would make the Sign of the Cross over sick individuals, bringing about their recovery. He also dedicated much of his writing to combating the heresies prevalent during his time.

“The Soldier Saint”

After the malicious Turks captured Constantinople in 1453, John felt compelled to rally Christian forces against the Muslim Turks. At the age of 70, he was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to lead a Crusade. Barefoot and dressed in his humble Franciscan habit, John visited the kings of Europe, uniting them and their armies against the invading forces.

In the summer of 1456, John took command of a Christian army of 70,000 soldiers to Belgrade. When it appeared that they were overpowered by the Muslim army, he ran to the front lines. Holding his crucifix up high, this thin, slight old man kept calling out, “Victory, Jesus, victory!” Emboldened by Christ, the Christian army managed to win the great battle of Belgrade, freeing the city from siege. His army’s victory played a crucial role in delivering Europe from the threat of the Muslims.

His Death

Three months later on October 23, 1456, John died in Villach, Austria. On his tomb there, the following message is inscribed: “This tomb holds John, by birth of Capistrano, a man worthy of all praise, defender and promoter of the faith, guardian of the Church, zealous protector of his Order, an ornament to all the world, lover of truth and religious justice, mirror of life, surest guide in doctrine; praised by countless tongues, he reigns blessed in heaven.”

Two missions of San Juan Capistrano were founded by Spanish Franciscans in the 18th century – one in California and one in San Antonio, Texas. There is also a tradition of the swallows returning to the Mission of San Juan Capistrano every March 19, the feast of Saint Joseph.

Born:                   1386 in Capistrano, Italy

Died:                   October 23, 1456 in Villach, Austria

Beatified:           December 19, 1650 by Pope Innocent X

Canonized:        October 16, 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII

Feast Day:         October 23, formerly March 28

Patron Saint:    Belgrade, Serbia; Capistrano, Italy; Judges; Jurists; Lawyers; Military Chaplains

Source:

• • Saint of the Day – 23 October – St John Capistrano OFM (1386-1456) – ‘the Soldier Saint’ – AnaStpaul
  • St. John of Capistrano: Victory through the Holy Name of Jesus (catholicfire.blogspot.com)
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint John of Capistrano
  • Saint John of Capistrano – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
  • John of Capistrano – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

St John of Capistrano – YouTube (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network – USA)