Today, October 23, is the memorial of Saint John of Capistrano.
John was born in 1386 at Capistrano, Kingdom of Naples. He took up law at Perugia in Central Italy and eventually became governor there in 1412. He was jailed when Malatesta di Rimini conquered Perugia.
In a vision, St. Francis of Assisi invited him to join the Franciscan Order. John did so, making his religious profession in 1418. His superior and teacher was St. Bernardine of Siena. After his ordination, John became an active preacher and promoter of the Franciscan reform.
Pope Martin V assigned him to decide on the conflict between the Franciscans and the “Fraticelli.” John was later named apostolic nuncio to Sicily and then papal legate to France. He had been a missionary in Germany, Austria, Poland and Hungary, where he preached the Crusade against the Turks.
After the conquest of Constantinople, the Turks attacked the fortress at Belgrade. John ordered troops to counter-attack the Turks. John successfully led the troops into battle, thus earning him the title “Soldier Priest.”
John became a victim of the bubonic plague that swept Europe. He died at the age of 70 in 1456, leaving behind a massive collection of his works: 19 volumes of his writings and more than 700 letters.
Records regarding his canonization date vary, one stating it was 1690 while others say 1724.