About the holy man Brother John of Viterbo, priest and preacher

Brother John was from a city called Viterbo situated in the dominion of the Church. He was born to honest parents. He attended school from an early age and became quite well instructed in positive grammar. When he reached the age of about sixteen years and recognising the fallacies of the world he decided to leave it. He became a Friar in the Congregation of blessed Brother Francis of Montepulciano, the Reform of the Conventual Fathers. For some years was a Friar at Holy Apostle in Rome.

When the Capuchin Congregation came, the devout young man went to find Father Louis who received him and clothed him in the Capuchin habit. He was one of the first Capuchins. He led a very exemplary life in the Congregation. He always went barefoot summer and winter with only one habit. He fasted nearly continuously, going for the entire forty-days on bread and water. For training Our Lord God gave him a demon that beat him continuously. Thus trustworthy Friars saw him fighting with the demon many times in the church. He endured great trials with his body for although he was weak and small in stature he wore coarse sackcloth continuously against his skin.

He was Vicar of the Province of Holy Angel many times and Vicar of the Province of Rome twice. He governed them with very good example and great maturity. He endured grave persecutions wick men did to him with amazing patience. He had the spirit of prophecy for in 1520 he was in the house of a gentlewoman of Viterbo called Lady Julia Cocca. She had a son of about seven years of age. The boy was healthy and lively and with much affection Brother John embraced him and kissed him and then began to weep. He turned to the boy’s mother who had not other child except him. He said, “Have patience because God will take him to himself soon.” And within a short time the boy passed away to the better life.

The Lord God worked another miracle through this servant of His. There was a fisherman at Gaieta. A poisonous fish had bitten him and because of this he was at the point of death. The holy man was passing by that way and saw many people gathered around the fisherman who was dying. He ran to see what was happening. The fisherman commended himself to him so he made the sign of the cross. Immediately the he was perfectly healed. A trustworthy Friar who was present told me that the saw the fisherman fishing with the others the next morning.

When this servant of God fell ill in the house at Rome, after having received all the most holy sacraments he passed away to a better life. Amen.