“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.”

One third of the population, and nearly 40 percent of the clergy, had been wiped out by the bubonic plague. England and France were at war, and the city-states of Italy were constantly in conflict. Gloom dominated the spirit of the times.

John was born in Capistrano, Italy, in 1385. His father was a German knight who had come to Italy in the court of Louis I of Anjou who was King of Naples.

His father died when he was young and his mother took care to have him well educated. He learned Latin and studied civil and Church law at the University of Perugia. He was an outstanding student and soon became a prominent public figure.

At the age of 27, the King of Naples appointed him Governor of Perugia and a wealthy nobleman gave him his daughter in marriage as well as a large dowry. He sought to end a war that erupted between his town and the House of Malatesta, but he was betrayed and imprisoned by the nobles. His wife died during his imprisonment while he questioned his life’s direction. He encountered Saint Francis of Assisi in a dream, and resolved to embrace poverty, chastity, and obedience with the Franciscans.

He abandoned his possessions, entered the Franciscan novitiate, and Saint Bernadine of Siena became his mentor. He was ordained a priest at the age of 40 and his preaching attracted great crowds in a time of religious apathy and confusion.

He successfully defended his mentor from charges of heresy but struggled to resolve internal controversy among the Franciscan Order. Through his tireless efforts, the heretical Fraticelli was suppressed, and their Order’s Rule was observed once again.

Because of his reputation and leadership, a succession of popes often called upon him to act as papal legate to resolve disputes which included numerous important diplomatic missions and weeding out heresy wherever it sprung. This included the reuniting of Eastern and Western Christendom of which brought about a brief reunion with the Greek and Armenian Churches.

When he was 67, Constantinople fell to Turkish invaders and the pope sent him on a mission to rally other European leaders in defense. John personally joined General Janos Hunyadi in his defense of Belgrade and personally led a section of the army to its historic victory on August 6, 1456.

Both the General and John became severely ill after the battle. John preached at the General’s funeral but succumbed to his illness shortly afterwards on October 23, 1456.

He is the patron saint of judges, jurists, and military chaplains.

His feast day is October 23.

For God’s Glory.