From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   March 28th - St. John Capistran, Confessor   
   (1385-1456)   
      
   Saint John was born at Capistrano, near Naples in Italy, in 1385. Having   
   studied both secular and canon law, he became so skilled in it that his   
   reputation spread over all of Italy. He was imprisoned during a war and   
   abandoned by his protector for some time, during which his young wife died.   
   He resolved while still in prison to serve in the future no other interests   
   but those of God. His property was sold at his command, his ransom paid, and   
   from his prison he entered a monastery near Peruse where the Rule of Saint   
   Francis was observed in its purity.   
      
   The superiors, fearing this vocation to be a passing fancy, tested him   
   severely, even sending him away twice; but he remained day and night at the   
   door, suffering joyfully all trials. His heroic perseverance disarmed their   
   fears and severity, and he was admitted to religious profession.   
      
   For seven years he practiced great austerities, cared for the sick in the   
   hospitals, and preached on all sides the word of God. In this, say his   
   biographers, he succeeded so admirably that few preachers in the course of   
   all the centuries can be compared with him. He became a disciple of Saint   
   Bernardine of Siena, assisting him in public conferences and discussions.   
   Like many great servants of God he was calumniated, as though he had taught   
   errors; he went to Rome to justify his teachings in the presence of the Pope   
   and a group of cardinals, which he did admirably well, and they recognized   
   the obvious innocence of the accused Saint.   
      
   Afterwards he preached all over Italy, and everywhere brought about the   
   reform of lives. Five Popes in succession gave commissions to this   
   remarkable Franciscan to represent them in important affairs, and he   
   traveled to France, Austria, Poland and Germany. Everywhere his negotiations   
   were crowned with success. But none of the Popes succeeded in raising him to   
   the episcopal dignity; their efforts met an absolute resistance in his   
   humility.   
      
   His extraordinary qualities proved to be of great assistance to the Holy See   
   in another circumstance. When Mohammed II was threatening Vienna and Rome,   
   Saint John Capistran, at the bidding of Pope Callixtus III, enrolled for a   
   crusade 70,000 Christians. In a vision he was assured of victory in the Name   
   of Jesus and by the Cross he bore. Marching at the head of the crusaders, he   
   entered Belgrade at the head of the army. This General of the Friars Minor   
   won a remarkable victory in that year of 1455, when 40,000 of the enemies of   
   the Christians perished, but virtually none among the latter. He himself   
   died the following year at the age of 71. He is regarded as a martyr, for   
   enemies of the faith twice succeeded in giving him poison, which was   
   ineffectual; he died only from the immense fatigue he had suffered in the   
   defense of the city of Belgrade. "An infinity of miracles" followed his   
   death. He was canonized in 1690.   
      
   Source: Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin   
   (Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 11.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
    When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer to   
   think that you are amongst men; but believe that there are troops of angels   
   and archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before the   
   sovereign Master of Heaven and earth. Therefore, when you are in church, be   
   there in silence, fear, and veneration.   
   -Saint John Chrysostom   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your   
   hearts, crying: Abba, Father.   
   Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also   
   through God. (Galatians 4:6-7)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer.   
      
   We entreat you, O most holy martyrs, who cheerfully suffered   
   most cruel torments for God our Saviour and His love, on   
   which account you are now most intimately and familiarly   
   united to Him, that you pray to the Lord for us, poor sinners.   
   May He infuse into us the grace of God, to enlighten our   
   souls to love Christ as you loved Him!   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   The fifth glorious mystery prayer of the Eucharistic Rosary,   
   to be offered before the Blessed Sacrament:   
      
   The Crowning of Mary in Heaven, offered for perseverance   
   unto a happy death will merit a crown of eternal glory.   
      
   Divine Son of Mary, to make Thy holy Mother partaker of   
   Thy own glory, Thou hast crowned her queen of heaven and   
   earth and appointed her our advocate and the living channel   
   of Thy graces.  From the Eucharist not less than from heaven,   
   Thou willest that every grace shall reach us through her   
   maternal hands.   
      
   O Jesus, we adore Thee in Thy unspeakable glory, of which   
   Thou hast made Thy Mother partake with Thee, and we beg   
   Thee, through the intercession, a great confidence in her   
   powerful protection and great earnestness in imitating her   
   virtues; in particular her purity, humility, and fidelity to grace.   
      
   Imprimatur:  + John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York,   
   Sept 19, 1908.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)