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John was born at Capistrano in Abruzzi and progressed in both sacred and profane learning. Because of his great knowledge of law, he was made governor of several cities by King Ladislaus of Naples. He was attempting to restore peace to that troubled area when he was seized and jailed. He was delivered from captivity and joined the Friar Minor. As a Franciscan, he studied under St. Bernadine of Siena and imitated him in spreading devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and to the Mother of God. He refused appointment as Bishop of Aquila and lead a mortified life. Giving himself, without ceasing to preach, he traveled through almost all of Italy and brought many souls back to the way of salvation by his preaching and miracles. At the Council of Florence, he brought back the Armenians to the Catholic Church. Nicholas V sent him to Germany, as Apostolic Nuncio, at the request of Emperor Frederick III, to bring back to the Catholic faith those who had fallen into heresy. In six years of missionary work, he brought back to the church countless numbers of Hussites, Adamites, Taborites, and others by his preaching and further miracles. At the instigation of John, Pope Callistus III proclaimed a Crusade against the Turks. John hastened into Panonia, and other provinces, and raised 70,000 soldiers. It was mainly through his advice and courage that victory was gained at Belgrade where 120,000 Turks were either slain or fled. Seized by a fatal illness, he was taken to Illak and died on October 23, 1456. He was canonized by Alexander VIII in 1690. Leo XIII extended his feast to the Universal Church on the date of March 28. EDITOR’S NOTE: this article first appeared in Vatican Notes in 1956 (Volume IX, Number I, pages 7 and 8). It has been gently edited to add color images of the stamps of the issue as well as other minor edits. REFERENCE: Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 214 - 215 Date Issued - 30 October 1956 Face Value - 25 l, 35 l Perforations - 14 Printer - The Italian State Printing Works |
| (From Vatican Notes Volume IX, Number 1, July - August 1960, Pages 7-8) |
