In 1386, a boy named John was born in Italy, the son of a German knight. John’s father died when he was young, and after his mother began his education at home she sent him off to study law. He became a skilled lawyer and was appointed the governor of Perugia. A war broke out and he was sent to try and broker peace, but he was thrown into prison where he had a transformation of heart. Upon his release, he paraded through the town square seated backward on a donkey with his sins written on a paper hat, then he entered the Franciscan order. For the next 35 years, he preached brilliantly throughout Europe, and at 70 he was called upon by the pope to help lead an army to defend Belgrade from the Turks. He died of disease at the age of 70.
CHALLENGE
As governor, St. John of Capistrano worked to end civic corruption and bribery, and as a Franciscan, he worked to reform and bring peace to the order which had grown divided. Satan divides, but God unites. Where is there division in your life? Maybe your home, your family, your neighborhood, or your workplace? Today, prayerfully make an effort to end division and bring unity.
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