Feast of San Giovanni da Capestrano

San Giovanni da Capestrano, ora pro nobis

March 28th is the Feast of San Giovanni da Capestrano, Franciscan friar and priest. Patron Saint of military chaplains and jurists, he is also the protector of Capestrano, a commune in the Province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo), where he was born in 1386. 

San Giovanni is revered as the "soldier saint" for his role in the valiant defense of Belgrade against the Ottoman Turks in 1456. With his fiery sermons, he helped raise a peasant army and assisted John Hunyadi, the heroic White Knight of Wallachia, in breaking the siege and routing the invaders. 

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer in honor of St. John of Capistrano. Evviva San Giovanni!

Prayer to St. John of Capistrano

Lord, you raised up Saint John of Capistrano to give your people comfort in their trials. May your Church enjoy unending peace and be secure in your protection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen