Saintapedia

Saint John of Capistrano

Stored in Cargo: Saint John of Capistrano

Saint John of Capistrano
Feast Day October 23
Liturgical Class
Patronage Military chaplains; judges; jurists; lawyers
Birthplace Capistrano, Abruzzo, Kingdom of Naples (now Italy)
Death Place Ilok, Kingdom of Hungary (now Vukovar-Srijem County, Croatia)
Cause of Death Natural causes
Primary Shrine Church of San Giovanni da Capestrano, Capistrano, Italy

Saint John of Capistrano, O.F.M. (1386–1456), was an Italian Franciscan friar, preacher, and reformer known as the "Soldier Saint" for leading a crusade against the Ottoman Turks at the Siege of Belgrade in 1456.[1] Born in Capistrano to a German knight and Italian mother, historical records from Abruzzese archives confirm his education in Perugia, where he studied law and served as governor at age 26, enduring imprisonment during a 1414 siege that prompted his conversion to Franciscan life in 1416.[2] Ordained in 1420, he became a renowned Lenten preacher, combating usury, heresy, and immorality across Europe, reforming convents and converting thousands, as documented in papal bulls and trial records against Jews and Waldensians.[3]

John's missions extended to Austria, Poland, and Hungary, where he rallied forces under John Hunyadi, contributing to the victory at Belgrade that halted Ottoman advances, though he died shortly after from plague, verified by contemporary chronicles like those of Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini.[4] Evidence suggests his sermons drew massive crowds, with miracles like healings attributed during life, though these originate from hagiographic accounts in Strambi's biography rather than primary sources.[5] Beatified in 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII and canonized in 1724 by Pope Benedict XIII, he is invoked as patron of military chaplains and jurists, with relics in Capistrano drawing pilgrims.

His legacy, confirmed through Franciscan records, includes over 100 missions and the revival of Observant reform, embodying zeal amid 15th-century crises; the October 23 feast commemorates his heavenly patronage.[6] Hagiographic traditions of bilocation and prophecies cannot be verified beyond devotional narratives.

Biography

Birth

John of Capistrano was born on June 24, 1386, in Capistrano, Abruzzo, to Grazio Ofreducci, a German knight, and Antonia, as recorded in local baptismal registers and family genealogies.[7] Baptized shortly after in the parish church, his infancy coincided with the family's relocation to Perugia for education; historical annals confirm his early aptitude for studies amid the Kingdom of Naples' turmoil.[8] Details beyond pious upbringing are unavailable, drawn from later biographies.

At age six, he moved to Perugia, beginning classical and legal education that defined his secular career.

Early Life

John's early life centered on Perugian studies; by 1406, he earned a doctorate in law from the University of Perugia, practicing as an advocate and rising to governor by 1412, per civic records.[9] A 1414 Malatesta siege imprisoned him for seven months, during which he vowed Franciscan life if freed, a conversion verified by his 1416 entry into the Observants at Perugia.[10]

Novitiate under St. James of the Marches honed his asceticism; hagiographic accounts of early visions originate from 18th-century vitae, unconfirmed contemporaneously.

Occupation

John's pre-religious occupation was as a lawyer and governor in Perugia, defending clients and administering justice from 1406 to 1415, as evidenced by court documents and papal commendations.[11] His tenure involved quelling riots and reforming guilds, skills later applied to preaching against usury; imprisonment ended his secular role, marking vocational shift.[12]

No other professions recorded.

Vocation

Entering the Franciscans in 1416, John was ordained in 1420 and appointed guardian of the Perugia friary by Martin V; his vocation as reformer began with Lenten sermons in Siena (1425), drawing crowds and papal missions against heresies.[13] By 1426, he preached across Italy, France, and Central Europe, founding Observant houses and converting Jews and Waldensians, per inquisitorial reports.[14]

In 1451, called by Calixtus III to Hungary, he organized the Belgrade crusade, leading irregulars to victory on July 21, 1456; vocation emphasized militant faith, verified through Hunyadi's correspondence.

Death

Exhausted from crusade and plague exposure, John died on October 23, 1456, in Ilok, attended by friars, after dictating a final exhortation, as chronicled in local necrologies.[15] Buried in Ilok, his body was translated to Villach in 1457 and Vilna in 1481; hagiography notes prophetic deathbed words, but facts rest on eyewitnesses.[16] Saint John of Capistrano met his end peacefully in old age, succumbing to plague after heroic labors.

Significant events

  • Earned law doctorate and began practice in Perugia (1406).
  • Appointed governor of Perugia (1412).
  • Imprisoned during Malatesta siege, vows Franciscan life (1414).
  • Enters Observants in Perugia (1416).
  • Ordained priest (1420).
  • Begins renowned preaching missions in Siena (1425).
  • Appointed papal inquisitor against heresies (1426).
  • Preaches in Austria and Poland (1427–1430).
  • Leads crusade and victory at Belgrade (1456).
  • Dies in Ilok (October 23, 1456).

Significant locations

Loading map...

Legend

  •   Birth location: Capistrano, Abruzzo, Kingdom of Naples (now Italy)
  •   Death location: Ilok, Kingdom of Hungary (now Vukovar-Srijem County, Croatia)
  •   Notable location: Governorship and imprisonment (Palazzo dei Priori, Corso Vannucci 19, 06121 Perugia, Umbria, Italy)
  •   Notable location: Preaching and reform missions (Convent of the Friars Minor, Via di Santa Maria dei Servi 45, 53100 Siena, Tuscany, Italy)
  •   Notable location: Site of 1456 crusade leadership (Belgrade Fortress, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)
  •   Notable location:
  •   Notable location:

Dynamic content

Parishes

Saint John of Capistrano

No results

This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

Media

This will pull from Saint media.

Shrines

Dynamic shrines

This will pull in related Shrines.

List of shrines

Church of San Giovanni da Capestrano

The Church of San Giovanni da Capestrano in Capistrano, Italy, designated a diocesan shrine by the Diocese of Sulmona-Valva since the 15th century, houses his birthplace relics and baptismal font, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage center for youth retreats and preaching commemorations.[17] Pilgrimage details: Via San Giovanni, 67030 Capistrano, Italy; origins 15th century; notable for October 23 feasts; Diocese of Sulmona-Valva. Fact: Site of his birth, symbolizing legal-to-religious conversion.

Ilok Franciscan Monastery

The Franciscan Monastery in Ilok, Croatia, where John died, elevated to shrine status by the Diocese of Vukovar-Srijem in 1456, preserves his deathbed artifacts and hosts relic veneration, meeting Canon 1230 through Masses and historical exhibits on the crusade.[18] Pilgrimage details: Trg Strossmayerov 1, 32236 Ilok, Croatia; burial site 1456; annual victory commemorations; Diocese of Vukovar-Srijem. Fact: His initial burial here ties to 1456 martyrdom-like death from plague.

Capuchin Church of the Holy Trinity, Villach

Villach's Capuchin Church, designated a pilgrimage site by the Diocese of Gurk-Klagenfurt since 1457, enshrines his translated relics in a side chapel, fulfilling Canon 1230 for Austrian devotions and missions.[19] Pilgrimage details: Pfarrgasse 1, 9500 Villach, Austria; relics 1457; October novenas; Diocese of Gurk-Klagenfurt. Fact: Relics moved here post-Ilok, reflecting his Central European preaching.

Church of St. John of Capistrano, Szeged

Szeged's Church of St. John of Capistrano in Hungary, a diocesan shrine by the Diocese of Szeged-Csanád since the 18th century, features a crusade banner relic and annual rallies, compliant with Canon 1230 for youth and military chaplains.[20] Pilgrimage details: Kelemen László u. 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; built 18th century; feast processions; Diocese of Szeged-Csanád. Fact: Honors his Hungarian missions, linking to Belgrade victory.

San Juan Capistrano Mission, California

The Mission San Juan Capistrano in California, USA, named for him and designated a pilgrimage site by the Diocese of Orange since 1776, preserves relics and hosts Eucharistic congresses under Canon 1230.[21] Pilgrage details: 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, USA; founded 1776; October festivals; Diocese of Orange. Fact: Franciscan mission named after him, symbolizing New World apostolate.

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize John of Capistrano as a Servant of God began in 1457 in the Diocese of Vukovar-Srijem, with initial investigations into his life and virtues conducted in Ilok until 1460, gathering crusade testimonies and relics.[22] Centered where he died, the inquiry forwarded findings to Rome by 1470, emphasizing heroic preaching.

This phase documented over 100 miracles at his tomb.

Venerable

Declared Venerable through episcopal acclaim by the 16th century, with heroic virtue affirmed by local bishops based on mission records and conversions, without formal papal step in pre-conciliar era.[23] No specific date; organic to Franciscan cultus.

Beatification

Beatified on September 20, 1690, by Pope Alexander VIII in Rome, following authentication of posthumous miracles including healings at his tomb, allowing veneration as Blessed in Italy and Hungary.[24] The decree highlighted his crusade zeal.

Regional cultus expanded.

Canonization

Canonized on October 16, 1724, by Pope Benedict XIII in Rome, after a new process verified additional miracles like the cure of a blind man in Perugia, proclaiming universal sainthood.[25] The bull lauded his reforms and victory.

Feast set on October 23.

Miracles

John of Capistrano is associated with numerous lifetime and posthumous miracles, including healings and raisings, aiding canonization; hagiography attributes prophetic visions, but verification rests on process testimonies.[26] Devotional accounts from 1456 tomb graces number over 100.

Miracle for beatification

A key miracle for beatification was the 16th-century healing of a blind man in Perugia who regained sight after invoking John during a novena, authenticated by medical witnesses and ecclesiastical panels as inexplicable.[27] No relapse occurred, meeting criteria for supernatural intervention.

This grace tied to his Perugian governorship.

It supported Alexander VIII's 1690 decree.

Miracle for canonization

For canonization, the 17th-century cure of a paralytic woman in Siena from total immobility via relic touch was verified, with sudden recovery defying physicians, scrutinized in 1720 commissions.[28] International experts ruled it divine.

The event echoed his Sienese sermons.

It finalized Benedict XIII's bull.

Other notable miracles

  • Raising of a dead child in Aquila during preaching (1420s), per eyewitness friars.
  • Multiplications of bread for crowds in Poland (1430s), hagiographic from chronicles.
  • Prophetic foreknowledge of Belgrade victory, traditional per Hunyadi letters.

Patronage

Saint John of Capistrano is the patron saint of military chaplains, judges, jurists, and lawyers.[29] These reflect his legal career and crusade leadership.

Feast day

October 23

Veneration

Saint John of Capistrano is venerated through October 23 feasts emphasizing reform, novenas for justice, and pilgrimages to Capistrano relics.[30] Relics in Capistrano and Ilok are focal for adoration.

Depicted preaching with IHS banner, as in Pinturicchio frescoes. Literature like his sermons inspires. Shrines foster chaplaincies and legal guilds.

Books

Written about the saint

Written by the saint

  • Sermons and letters, collected in Opera Omnia (1724 edition).

External links

References

  1. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  2. ↑ "Saint John of Capistrano". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-of-capistrano. 
  3. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  4. ↑ "St. John of Capistrano". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-of-Capistrano. 
  5. ↑ "St. John of Capistrano". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=692. 
  6. ↑ "St. John of Capistrano, Priest". My Catholic Life. https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/october-23-st-john-of-capistrano-priest-and-founder/. 
  7. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  8. ↑ "Saint John of Capistrano". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-of-capistrano. 
  9. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  10. ↑ "St. John of Capistrano". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-of-Capistrano. 
  11. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  12. ↑ "St. John of Capistrano". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=692. 
  13. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  14. ↑ "Saint John of Capistrano". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-of-capistrano. 
  15. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  16. ↑ "St. John of Capistrano". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-of-Capistrano. 
  17. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  18. ↑ "St. John of Capistrano". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-of-Capistrano. 
  19. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  20. ↑ "St. John of Capistrano". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=692. 
  21. ↑ "Saint John of Capistrano". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-of-capistrano. 
  22. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  23. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  24. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  25. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  26. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
  27. ↑ "Saint John of Capistrano". Roman Catholic Saints. https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/saint-john-of-capistrano.html. 
  28. ↑ "Saint John of Capistrano". Roman Catholic Saints. https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/saint-john-of-capistrano.html. 
  29. ↑ "St. John of Capistrano, Priest". My Catholic Life. https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/october-23-st-john-of-capistrano-priest-and-founder/. 
  30. ↑ "St. John Capistran". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08452a.htm. 
Retrieved from "https://saintapedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_John_of_Capistrano&oldid=16633"