Episode 2004: St. John of Capistrano

St. John of Capistrano, also known as Giovanni da Capestrano in Italian, was born on June 24, 1386, in Capistrano, a town in the Abruzzo region of Italy. He was born into a noble Italian family and received an excellent education in law and theology, initially intending to pursue a career in law.

However, his life took a different turn when he experienced a profound religious conversion following the death of his wife. Devoting himself to a life of piety and service to God, John entered the Franciscan Order in 1416 at the age of 30. He was known for his strict adherence to the Franciscan rule of poverty and his fervent devotion to prayer and penance.

St. John of Capistrano quickly gained a reputation for his eloquent preaching and his tireless efforts to reform the Church. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, preaching repentance and calling for moral renewal among both clergy and laity. He became known as the "Apostle of Europe" for his zealous missionary work.

One of St. John's most notable accomplishments was his role in rallying support for a crusade against the Ottoman Turks, who had conquered Constantinople in 1453 and threatened Christian Europe. At the age of 70, despite his advanced age, St. John led a crusade to Hungary in 1456, where he helped organize the defense of Belgrade against the Ottoman forces.

St. John's leadership and inspirational speeches played a crucial role in motivating the defenders, and against overwhelming odds, they achieved a decisive victory in the Battle of Belgrade on July 22, 1456. However, St. John contracted the plague during the siege and died shortly after the battle, on October 23, 1456, at the age of 70.

St. John of Capistrano was canonized as a saint by Pope Alexander VIII in 1690. He is venerated as a patron saint of military chaplains, lawyers, judges, and those who are facing religious persecution.