Saint John of Capistrano

Biography

Saint John of Capistrano, also known as Giovanni da Capestrano, Ivan Kapistran, Jan Kapistran, John Capistran, Jovan Kapistran, and János Kapisztrán, was born in 1386 in Capistrano, Italy. 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. After completing his studies, John worked as a lawyer in Naples, Italy. He soon gained recognition and became the reforming governor of Perugia under King Landislas of Naples. 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. It was during his time as a prisoner of war that John experienced a significant change of heart. He realized that he was being called to a different vocation. Although he had recently married, the marriage had not been consummated, and with his wife's permission, it was annulled. On October 4, 1416, John joined the Franciscans at Perugia. During his time as a Franciscan, John became a devoted follower of Saint Bernardine of Siena. He studied alongside another notable saint, James of the Marches. John's preaching abilities quickly became evident, and even as a deacon, he was renowned for his powerful sermons. 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. After the fall of Constantinople, 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. John took command of a Christian army of 70,000 soldiers and managed to win the great battle of Belgrade in the summer of 1456. Unfortunately, a few months later, he died in the field. Nevertheless, his army's victory played a crucial role in delivering Europe from the threat of the Muslims. Saint John of Capistrano is often depicted in various representations. He is seen as a man with a crucifix and a lance while treading a turban underfoot. He is also depicted as a Franciscan with a cross on his breast and carrying a banner of the cross. Other representations show him as a Franciscan preaching, with angels holding rosaries and the letters "IHS" above him. Finally, he is sometimes portrayed as a Franciscan pointing to a crucifix that he holds. Saint John of Capistrano's feast day is celebrated on October 23, but it was previously observed on March 28. He was beatified by Pope Innocent X on December 19, 1650, and canonized by Pope Alexander VIII on October 16, 1690. He is the patron saint of judges, jurists, lawyers, military chaplains (given by Pope John Paul II on February 10, 1984), the military ordinariate of the Philippines, Belgrade in Serbia, and his birthplace Capistrano, Italy.