St. John of Capistrano

Patron Saint of Jurists

St. John of Capistrano was a Franciscan priest in the early 1400s. John was taught by the future St. Bernardine of Siena, giving him a role model in his future Francsican ministries. He ministered in extensive ways, including a political career, extensive missionary journeys, efforts to reunite separated Eastern Christians with Rome, reforming lost groups of Franciscans, and military battle. John was a military chaplain at the end of his life. His preaching helped raise morale and break the siege of Belgrade to save Hungary from the Ottoman Empire. For this, he is remembered as a patron saint of military chaplains.

Pilgrimage Site in the United States

• Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano — San Juan Capistrano, CA