SAINT OF THE DAY -- Oct. 23 - St. John of Capistrano
October 23
Saint John of Capistrano
(1386 - 1456)
Patron Saint of Judges, Jurists and Military Chaplains
God is gracious; gift of GodHe healed the sick by making the Sign of the Cross over them
It has been said the Christian saints are the world’s greatest
optimists. Not blind to the existence and consequences of evil, they
base their confidence on the power of Christ’s redemption. The power of
conversion through Christ extends not only to sinful people but also to
calamitous events.
Imagine being born in the fourteenth century.
One-third of the population and nearly 40 percent of the clergy were
wiped out by the bubonic plague. The Western Schism split the Church
with two or three claimants to the Holy See at one time. England and
France were at war. The city-states of Italy were constantly in
conflict. No wonder that gloom dominated the spirit of the culture and
the times.
John Capistrano was born in 1386. His education was
thorough. His talents and success were great. When he was 26 he was
made governor of Perugia. Imprisoned after a battle against the
Malatestas, he resolved to change his way of life completely. At the
age of 30 he entered the Franciscan novitiate and was ordained a priest
four years later.
His preaching attracted great throngs at a time
of religious apathy and confusion. He and 12 Franciscan brethren were
received in the countries of central Europe as angels of God. They were
instrumental in reviving a dying faith and devotion.
The
Franciscan Order itself was in turmoil over the interpretation and
observance of the Rule of St. Francis. Through John’s tireless efforts
and his expertise in law, the heretical Fraticelli were suppressed and
the "Spirituals" were freed from interference in their stricter
observance.
He helped bring about a reunion with the Greek and Armenian Churches, unfortunately only a brief arrangement.
When
the Turks captured Constantinople in 1453, he was commissioned to
preach a crusade for the defense of Europe. Gaining little response in
Bavaria and Austria, he decided to concentrate his efforts in Hungary.
He led the army to Belgrade. Under the great General John Junyadi, they
gained an overwhelming victory, and the siege of Belgrade was lifted.
Worn out by his superhuman efforts, Capistrano was an easy prey to the
infection bred by the refuse of battle. He died October 23, 1456.
Comment:
John
Hofer, a biographer of John Capistrano, recalls a Brussels organization
named after the saint. Seeking to solve life problems in a fully
Christian spirit, its motto was: "Initiative, Organization, Activity."
These three words characterized John's life. He was not one to sit
around, ever. His deep Christian optimism drove him to battle problems
at all levels with the confidence engendered by a deep faith in Christ.
Quote:On
the saint'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." That is a fitting epitaph for a real and successful optimist.
Prayer:
Lord, You raised up St. John to console your people in their distress.
Grant that we may be always safe under Your protection and preserve
Your Church in unending peace. Amen.
Source: American Catholic Organization
Many great miracles have been associated with
the Rosary throughout history. The tremendous power of the Rosary can
overcome any problem, be it small or large, personal or worldwide.
Miracles continue to the present day.
The Rosary is a powerful prayer!
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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries
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If you are a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please know that my husband and I pray for you every single night.
If you need immediate assistance, dial 911.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)
SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Do you:
feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?
feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
feel emotionally numb or helpless?
Does your partner:
- humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
- treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
- ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
- blame you for his own abusive behavior?
- see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Does your partner:
have a bad and unpredictable temper?
hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
threaten to take your children away or harm them?
threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
force you to have sex?
destroy your belongings?
Does your partner:
- act excessively jealous and possessive?
- control where you go or what you do?
- keep you from seeing your friends or family?
- limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
- constantly check up on you?