Saint John of Capistrano's feast day is today, October 23.

Born in Italy in 1386 to a German knight, John grew up and studied law at the University of Perugia and then became a lawyer and governor of the city of Perugia.

 

When war broke out between Perugia and Malatesta, John strived to make peace but failed. The enemies of his city threw him into prison. During his time in jail, John contemplated the true meaning of life. He realized that the salvation of his soul was far more important than anything else.

 

He was set free at the age of thirty and decided to join a Franciscan monastery. After he became a priest, John was sent out to preach. He and St. Bernardine of Siena, spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. John traveled all over Europe preaching for forty years and those who heard him were moved to love and serve Jesus better.

 

When St. John was seventy years old, The Turks decided to conquer Europe and to wipe out the Church of Jesus.

 

Pope Callistus II sent St. John to all the Christian kings of Europe to beg them to unite and fight the mighty Turkish army. The kings obeyed this poor friar.

 

He then marched off at the head of seventy thousand Christian soldiers leading them and encouraged the men to keep fighting. The saint himself ran to the front lines. Holding his crucifix up high, he cried, "Victory, Jesus, victory!" And the Christian soldiers felt full of courage. They fought until the enemy ran away in fear, and they won the battle of Belgrade.

 

John died a short time later on October 23, 1456. He was beatified in 1694 and canonized in 1724.

 

He is the patron saint of judges.

 

On John's tomb in the Austrian town of Villach, the governor had this message 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."

Saint John of Capistrano, pray for us.