This week in Christian history: Conservative UMC group formed, Fourth Council of Constantinople begins, John of Capistrano enters order
John of Capistrano enters the Franciscan order — Oct. 4, 1416
This week marks the anniversary of when Saint John of Capistrano, a traveling preacher who helped fight a battle against Turkish invaders, entered the Franciscan Order.
A native of Italy and a professional politician, John decided to enter the order after studying theology while imprisoned following a failed diplomatic mission.
“He traversed the whole of Italy; and so great were the crowds who came to listen to him that he often had to preach in the public squares,” noted EWTN. “At Brescia on one occasion he preached to a crowd of one hundred and twenty-six thousand people, who had come from all the neighboring provinces.”
“On another occasion during a mission, over two thousand sick people were brought to him that he might sign them with the sign of the Cross, so great was his fame as a healer of the sick.”
Near the end of his life, John helped lead a Christian army that successfully relieved the Hungarian city of Belgrade when it was besieged by the Islamic forces of the Ottoman Empire.
