St. John Capistran: A Reformer in Battle

St. John of Capistran was many things, a Franciscan, a theologian, a crusader, but ultimately a reformer of the Church, a friend of saints and a man zealous for the salvation of souls. The deep remorse that took possession of him on the day of his conversion never left him and remained the dominant attitude of his mind. This penitential disposition underlay his preaching. Setting aside all reserve, he would make public confession in the pulpit, thus emulating the penitent Magdalene, his favorite saint.

A reformer of the Franciscan Order, he also exerted influence on 4 successive Popes to move reforms in the Church after the tragedy of the Western Schism. Capistrano rarely drank wine, unless it was so watered down that it could not be called wine, fasted frequently, and brought reverence and devotion to the liturgy. He recognized early that the Turk would not be satisfied with Constantinople, and would press on to Europe. Thus, he roused the focus of Christendom to battle, and marched at the head of armies fighting against the Ottoman jugernaught.

Capistrano's history is inextricably bound up with the great figures and world events of the 15th century. Hofer, in this powerful historical biography of the saint, traces his life as a reformer, preacher, and leading a Crusade to stop the Turkish onslaught into Europe.