St John Capistran 1385 – 1456

 

30kb jpg holy card of Saint John, artist unknown; if you have information on this image, please email me; please do not write to ask about the imageFeastday 23rd October                                           

Born 1385                              

Died 1456

 

 

 

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 Muslems.1

 

1. Taken from the Patron Saints Index at http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj27.htm

 

 

“There shall arise a certain grave and constant man near Aquisgrave of the Rhine; who being chosen shall restore the Apostolic Discipline: and in the third incursion of time, shall prevail and do great things; and there shall be of his race to the day of judgement…” 1

 

“The ox shall again be full of life and his trumpets shall resound with sweet lowing.  (Pius XI) A great city beast shall succeed and devour the pastures of the little ones. (Pius XII)  He shall come from the North wind, enter into the sanctuary and the Church will renew her seed. (Angelic pastor) He shall explain the ten heads of the dragon and he shall destroy in the Holy Land the Author of Wickedness. (Pastor and sailor)  The people will be dying with hunger when he is created who will divide and give to the poor.  (Flower of flowers) The Tree shall give forth its fruits, but the destroying beast shall devour them (from the Half Moon).  The brightness of the exposed countenances shall be lifted, and the faces of the proud shall fall before the face of the oppressor (The Glory of the Olive Tree).  There shall be signs of the sun and moon when there shall be created a man stronger than any prince, and he shall renew the face of the Church. At this time the Antichrist shall have been trodden underfoot and all the world shall enjoy the faith and peace of the Most High. (Peter the Roman)…” 2

 

References

1. Rev R. Gerald. Culleton The Prophets and Our Times  (Tan Books and Publishers 1941) p 156-157

2. ibid p 157