For he chose us in him before the creation of the world
to be holy and blameless in his sight. - Eph 1:4
From the treatise Mirror of the Clergy by St John of Capistrano,
but can also be fittingly applied to the priesthood of believers...
"Those who are called to the table of the Lord
must glow with the brightness that comes from
the good example of a praiseworthy and blameless life.
They must completely remove from their lives
the filth and uncleanness of vice.
Their upright lives must make them like the
salt of the earth for themselves
and for the rest of mankind. The brightness
of their wisdom must make them like the
light of the world that brings light to others. ...
They have been placed here to care for others.
Their own lives should be an example to others,
showing how they must live in the house of the Lord."
St John of Capistrano
Italy ~ 1385-1456
Lawyer, governor
Franciscan priest, preacher, theologian
Taught theology by St. Bernardine of Siena -
together the two worked to reform the Franciscan order
Nickname: "soldier priest"**"When Mohammed II was threatening Vienna and Rome, St John, age 70, was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to preach and lead a crusade against the invading Turks. Marching at the head of 70,000 Christians, he gained victory in the great battle of Belgrade against the Turks in 1456.
Feast Day - October 23 Painting above: Priest teaching Catechism ~ Jules -Alexis Muenier
On St John'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."
St John of Capistrano, pray for us!
Comments of Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira:
"One could try to make a classification of the saints. Some were founders of nations, others were organizers of nations, still others were founders of religious orders. Then, there is a category of saints who were the defensive walls of the House of God. They constitute a kind of saint whose principal goal is to fight, to destroy the enemies of God. They have the capacity to put fire in souls to stimulate them to the defense of God, to lead them to combat. And in the combat they know how to sustain the courage of the good as well as how to attack the enemies. Doing this, they defend the walls of the House of God. Such is the mission of this category of saints. St. John of Capistrano was one of these saints."
