Saturday, Oct. 23, 29th Week in Ordinary Time
The saint was the subject of many paintings in the 15th century because of his legendary fame as a preacher and as a soldier. Third from left, he is shown holding up the crucifix in the midst of battle; next to it, with St. Bernardine of Siena (right); and second from right, appearing to San Pedro Alcantara in a vision.
ST. GIOVANNI DA CAPESTRANO (b Italy 1386, d Croatia 1456), Franciscan Preacher and Theologian, Inquisitor, Missionary and Papal Emissary, Army General
More familiarly known as San Juan Capistrano, from the Spanish version of his name, he was born in the diocese of Sulmona and received a thorough education in Perugia, specializing in the law. At the time he was born, one-third of the population of Europe and nearly 40 percent of the clergy had been wiped out by the bubonic plague. The Church was undergoing the Western Schism with two or three Pope claimants at any time, and the city states of Italy were in constant conflict. Giovanni's talents were such that at 26, he was appointed governor of Perugia and was imprisoned after leading a battle with the powerful Malatesta clan. Resolving to change his way of life, he became a Franciscan novice at age 30, along with the future San Giacomo (James) delle Marche, and was ordained four years later. At this time, the order was in turmoil over the observance of St. Francis's rule and Giovanni fought for strict observance as did Bernardine of Siena, succeeding in suppressing the heretical Fraticelli and 'Spirituals' of the Order. He and Bernardine were summoned to Rome to answer charges of heresy themselves, but they were absolved by the Commission of Cardinals. From 1420 onwards, he gained great fame all over Italy for his preaching - once in Brescia he preached to a crowd of 125,000. When he was not preaching, he tirelessly wrote tracts against all kinds of heresy and later in defense of papal supremacy. His talents led Popes Eugene IV and Nicholas V to send him on missions to other countries of Europe, during which his preaching was equally acclaimed and instrumental in reviving a dying faith and devotion. As papal emissary, he also acted as Inquisitor to prosecute heretics in Italy and in central Europe. After the Turks captured Constantinople in 1453, the Pope commissioned him to preach a crusade in defense of Europe. He concentrated his efforts in Hungary and then with the Great General Junyadi, led the Christian army in an overwhelming victory against the Turks in Belgrade. After this, however, he fell victim to the bubonic plague and died in a village in what is now Croatia. There are two dates given for his canonization - 1690 and 1724 - but his feast was first included in the Roman calendar in 1890. He is the patron saint of military chaplains and of jurists.
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/nab/102310.shtml
OR today.
Papal stories in this issue: On Page 1, the Synodal Assembly on the Middle East votes on its final message and propositions, and in the inside pages,
the papal messages to the new ambassadors from Ecuador, Slovenia and Portugal. Page 1 international news: New Israeli construction in East
Jerusalem remains an obstacle to resumption of direct peace talks; G20 finance ministers prepare to meet in South Korea to map out a strategy
for 'balanced growth' in the crisis-ridden world economy; France awaits Senate vote on raising retirement age from 60 t0 62 [the vote was yes,
and riot protests against the policy change continue for the second week]; a cholera epidemic among the homeless earthquake victims of Haiti
has now claimed 136 dead.
THE POPE'S DAY
According to the Synodal Assembly bulletin today, the Holy Father attended the 14th and last general congregation
this morning, during which the Assembly voted on the Propositions summarizing their recommendations to the Pope
which will be the basis for his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation. He authorized publication of the approved list.
He was also scheduled to host a luncheon for all the Synodal participants at Aula Paolo VI after the midday news
conference at which the Synodal officials presented the approved Propositions.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 23/10/2010 17:58]