Denver, Colo., Oct 21, 2012 / 07:02 am
On Oct. 23, the Catholic Church celebrates the life of Saint John of Capistrano, a Franciscan priest whose life included a political career, extensive missionary journeys, efforts to reunite separated Eastern Christians with Rome and a historically important turn at military leadership.
Invoked as a patron of military chaplains, St. John of Capistrano was praised by Blessed John Paul II in a 2002 general audience for his "glorious evangelical witness," as a priest who "gave himself with great generosity for the salvation of souls."
Born in Italy during 1385, John lost his father – a French or possibly German knight who had settled in Capistrano – at a young age. John's mother took care to have him educated, and after learning Latin he went to study both civil law and Church law in Perugia. An outstanding student, he soon became a prominent public figure and was appointed governor of the city at age 26.
John showed high standards of integrity in his civic career, and in 1416 he labored to end a war that had erupted between Perugia and the prominent House of Malatesta. But when the nobles had John imprisoned, he began to question his life's direction. Encountering Saint Francis of Assisi in a dream, he resolved to embrace poverty, chastity, and obedience with the Franciscans.