A California Mission is named after Moslems’ foe. San Juan Capistrano, the “Jewel of the Missions,” is well known for its swallows, which always return from migration on March 28th. This is the feast day of a great Franciscan saint, John of Capistrano, who was a hero at the Battle of Belgrade, in 1453. The Turks, under Mohammed II, were moving into Europe after the fall of Constantinople. Their intention was to conquer Rome; and they fully expected victory, for they brought with them a great entourage of wives, children, and booty to “move in” after the victory. With thousands of men, they overran Serbia and, on June 3rd, set siege to Belgrade, a city on the banks of the Danube River.
