From the desk of the pastor for Nov. 2, 2025

The Lord be with you. Before we cover the Protestant Reformation, let us look at the Church more generally in the fifteenth century. St. John of Capistrano stands as a great example of piety, persuasion, and politics in the Church.

Born to nobility in 1386, St. John initially had little interest in the affairs of the Church. Instead, he studied law at the University of Perugia and readied himself for public life. Here we should note how in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries universities developed across Europe. Originally meant to train clergy in theology, these houses of learning expanded to serve both those gifted with great intellects and prepare sons - like St. John - for power and influence.

Appointed the governor of Perugia in 1412, John was doing his best to restore public order when war broke out. Thrown into prison when acting as an ambassador for the King of Naples, John began to study theology. Then he had a dream in which St. Francis of Assisi told him to enter the Franciscans. Upon release he did so and left his old life behind.

John became a fantastic preacher and travelled around northern Italy and the Holy Roman Empire. In Brescia, Italy, he drew a crowd of 126,000 people! Devoting himself to prayer, penance, and preaching, John helped thousands to deepen their love of Christ. One of his favorite themes was devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, which he shared with St. Bernardine. His enemies accused him of heresy for honoring Christ in this way, but he was cleared of this charge. Within the Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans), John strived for reforms and strict observance of their rule.

In 1453 the Ottoman Empire conquered what remained of the Byzantine Empire with the Fall of Constantinople. Now the master of Anatolia (modern day Turkey), the Ottomans launched an invasion into the Balkans. In 1454 Pope Callixtus III commissioned John to preach a crusade and gather troops from the Holy Roman Empire. Now aged 70 John did so and found great success in Hungary. With the help of John Hunyadi, he gathered around 50,000 troops and marched to the relief of Belgrade, which had been besieged by the Ottomans.

After Hunyadi had broken the naval blockade of the Danube, their forces entered the city. Here historians disagree on who ordered what, but soon after arriving the two Johns found themselves on the attack. Outnumbered but somehow storming enemy positions, both men led their forces into the enemy rear. To their great astonishment, this haphazard and dangerous assault had broken the Ottoman’s will, and they retreated, saving the city and its Christian population. For his bravery and leadership, St. John would be called “the soldier priest.”

What the great and powerful could not do, God accomplished through St. John. Although he is remembered for his role at the Siege of Belgrade, he would want to be remembered for the many souls he brought to Christ. As St. John gave his life to Christ, may we give ours.

In His Sacred Heart,
Fr. John