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| Saint Bernardine of Siena, Pray for us! |
⛪ Saint of the Day: May 20
⛪ Other Names: • Bernadino • Bernardine • Bernardino
⛪ Born: • 1380 at Massa di Carrara, Italy
⛪ Died: • 1444 at Aquila, Italy
⛪ Patronage:
• Against hoarseness • Against chest problems • Against respiratory problems • Lung problems, lungs • Advertisers, advertising • Communications personnel • Gambling addicts; against compulsive gambling • Public relations personnel (proclaimed on 20 May 1960 by Pope John XXIII)
⛪ Symbols: • Short, elderly Franciscan holding a tablet inscribed IHS • Short, elderly Franciscan with three mitres at his feet representing the bishoprics he rejected • Sun inscribed IHS • Tablet inscribed IHS
Birth and Family Background:
Bernardin was born in 1380 in Massa, Italy, to the noble Albizeschi family. His mother passed away when he was three, and his father, a prominent magistrate, died before he turned seven. Raised by his aunt Diana, Bernardin was imbued with piety and devotion from a young age. Despite his noble lineage, he remained humble and compassionate, traits that would define his life's work.
Early Piety and Compassion:
From childhood, Bernardin displayed a deep sense of piety and compassion. His aunt's influence nurtured within him a fervent devotion to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even as a young boy, Bernardin showed remarkable empathy for the less fortunate. He once insisted on sharing his family's only loaf of bread with a beggar, demonstrating his selflessness and compassion.
Education and Virtuous Disposition:
At eleven, Bernardin moved to Sienna for education, where he excelled not only academically but also in virtue. Revered by his teachers for his humility, modesty, and devoutness, Bernardin's exemplary conduct earned him widespread admiration. Despite his intellectual prowess, Bernardin remained grounded, displaying a genuine concern for others' welfare.
Throughout his youth, Bernardin's commitment to piety and selflessness only deepened. He fasted regularly, particularly in honor of the Blessed Virgin, and immersed himself in prayer and church service. His virtuous disposition and charitable acts endeared him to all who knew him, setting the stage for his future as a beacon of faith and compassion.
Bernardin's formative years laid the foundation for a life dedicated to serving others and spreading the message of love and humility. His early experiences instilled in him the values of empathy, generosity, and devotion, shaping him into a revered figure known for his unwavering faith and tireless commitment to the betterment of society.
Service in the Hospital of Scala:
Bernardin's devotion to serving others blossomed during his time at the Hospital of Scala. Enrolling in the confraternity of Our Lady at the age of seventeen, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to caring for the sick. His commitment to this service was characterized by selflessness, compassion, and unwavering dedication.
Dedication to Serving the Sick:
In the hospital, Bernardin exhibited exemplary devotion to his duties. He embraced the most menial tasks with humility and grace, tending to the needs of the sick with compassion and empathy. His service extended beyond mere physical care; he offered solace and comfort to the afflicted, providing them with hope and spiritual support during their time of need.
Heroic Efforts During the Pestilence:
Bernardin's true mettle was tested during the outbreak of a devastating pestilence in 1400. Despite the perilous conditions and the high mortality rate among hospital staff, he fearlessly remained at his post, attending to the afflicted with tireless dedication. With the pestilence claiming numerous lives daily, Bernardin's efforts became indispensable as he worked tirelessly to save as many souls as possible.
Recovery from Illness and Continued Charity:
After months of relentless service, Bernardin's own health succumbed to the strain, and he fell ill with fever. Despite his illness, his spirit remained undaunted, and he continued to inspire others with his resilience and unwavering faith. Throughout his recovery, he continued to embody the virtues of charity and selflessness, extending his compassion to all in need.
Even after his recovery, Bernardin's commitment to charitable works remained undiminished. He tended to his dying aunt, Bartholomæa, for fourteen months, demonstrating boundless love and devotion to family. Following her passing, Bernardin retreated to solitude, seeking divine guidance in discerning his life's purpose.
Bernardin's service in the hospital and his heroic efforts during the pestilence exemplified his selfless devotion to the well-being of others. His unwavering dedication to serving the sick, even at great personal risk, underscored his profound compassion and commitment to alleviating human suffering. Through his actions, Bernardin embodied the true essence of charity, inspiring countless others to follow in his footsteps.
Entrance into Religious Life:
Following a period of introspection and discernment, Bernardin made the momentous decision to embrace religious life fully. Seeking solitude and divine guidance, he withdrew to a retreat to contemplate his vocation and discern the path laid out before him.
Retreat for Discernment:
In solitude, Bernardin fervently sought clarity and direction from God. Through prayer, fasting, and reflection, he delved into the depths of his soul, grappling with the call to a life of greater devotion and service. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he discerned his path with unwavering conviction and resolve.
Joining the Order of Saint Francis:
Inspired by his profound love for Christ and his desire to emulate the virtues of Saint Francis, Bernardin embraced the Franciscan way of life. He sought admission to the Order of Saint Francis, known for its strict observance and commitment to poverty, humility, and service to the marginalized.
Profound Devotion and Fervent Practice of Virtue:
Upon joining the Order of Saint Francis, Bernardin immersed himself wholeheartedly in the life of poverty, humility, and prayer. His devotion to Christ was unwavering, and he practiced virtue with fervent zeal, striving constantly to emulate the example set forth by Saint Francis himself.
Bernardin's life in the Franciscan order was characterized by profound devotion and fervent practice of virtue. He embraced poverty, humility, and prayer as the cornerstones of his spiritual journey, finding solace and fulfillment in a life dedicated entirely to God. Through his unwavering commitment to the Franciscan way of life, Bernardin embodied the essence of true discipleship, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps on the path to holiness.
Exemplary Preaching and Zealous Ministry:
Despite facing numerous obstacles, Bernardin's preaching was marked by unparalleled fervor, conviction, and effectiveness. His words resonated deeply with his listeners, stirring their hearts and inspiring them to embrace lives of virtue and devotion.
Overcoming Obstacles in Preaching:
Bernardin encountered various challenges in his preaching ministry, including natural impediments such as weakness and hoarseness of voice. However, through his unwavering faith and reliance on the power of prayer, he overcame these obstacles, trusting in God's grace to sustain and empower him in his mission.
The Power of Prayer and Virtue in Preaching:
Bernardin understood that true effectiveness in preaching stemmed not from eloquence or rhetoric, but from a sincere spirit of prayer and virtue. He immersed himself in prayer, seeking divine guidance and inspiration before delivering his sermons. His profound interior life, characterized by humility, compunction, and devotion, infused his preaching with a transcendent power that touched the hearts of his listeners.
Emphasis on Contempt for Worldly Vanity and Love for Christ:
In his preaching, Bernardin emphasized the importance of contempt for worldly vanity and the cultivation of a deep love for Christ. He tirelessly exhorted his listeners to turn away from the fleeting pleasures and empty pursuits of the world and to fix their gaze upon the eternal truths of the Gospel. With fervent zeal, he proclaimed the mysteries of the Incarnation and the redemptive love of Christ, inviting his audience to embrace lives of genuine piety, humility, and devotion.
Bernardin's preaching ministry was characterized by a profound awareness of the spiritual realities that transcended the temporal concerns of this world. Through his words and example, he challenged his listeners to reevaluate their priorities, forsake worldly attachments, and embrace the life-giving truth of the Gospel. His legacy continues to inspire countless souls to this day, calling them to a deeper relationship with Christ and a more authentic expression of their faith in the world.
Humility and Miraculous Works:
Bernardin's life was characterized by profound humility and selflessness, evident in his disinterestedness and acts of mercy. Despite his numerous miraculous works and widespread acclaim, he remained humble, attributing all glory to God and seeking to conceal the talents with which he had been endowed.
Disinterestedness and Acts of Mercy:
Bernardin's disinterestedness was exemplified in his refusal to accept gifts or honors for himself. Instead, he directed such offerings towards acts of mercy, using them to alleviate the suffering of the less fortunate. His selflessness endeared him to many, including those in positions of power who initially opposed him.
Humility and Miracles:
Despite performing numerous miracles, including the raising of the dead, Bernardin never sought to draw attention to himself. His humility remained unshaken, even in the face of extraordinary manifestations of divine power. He viewed these miracles not as a reflection of his own greatness, but as manifestations of God's boundless mercy and compassion.
Appointed Vicar-General and Continued Ministry:
Bernardin's exemplary life and unwavering commitment to the service of God led to his appointment as Vicar-General of his Order in Italy. In this role, he continued to promote rigorous reform and spiritual renewal, inspiring others by his steadfast devotion and fervent preaching. Despite his advancing age, he remained dedicated to his ministry, traveling extensively to proclaim the Gospel and offer spiritual guidance to all who sought his counsel. Through his humility, miracles, and tireless efforts in ministry, Bernardin left an indelible mark on the hearts of countless individuals, inspiring them to lives of deeper faith, compassion, and devotion.
Final Days and Legacy:
Even in his final days, Bernardin's sincere humility shone brightly amidst the honors and acclaim bestowed upon him. Despite widespread recognition for his virtuous life and impactful ministry, he remained steadfast in his humility, attributing all glory to God.
Final Preaching and Illness:
Bernardin's final days were marked by a continuation of his preaching ministry, despite declining health. Undeterred by illness, he remained committed to his vocation, delivering poignant sermons that stirred the hearts of his listeners and called them to deeper faith and repentance.
Passing and Canonization:
Bernardin's earthly journey came to an end on May 20, 1444, as he surrendered his pure soul into the hands of his Creator. His passing was mourned by many, who recognized him as a saintly figure whose life had profoundly impacted countless souls.
In recognition of his holiness and the numerous miracles attributed to his intercession, Bernardin was canonized by Pope Nicholas V in 1450. His legacy endured through the ages, inspiring generations of believers to emulate his example of humility, compassion, and unwavering devotion to God.
Bernardin's tomb became a site of pilgrimage, where the faithful sought his intercession and witnessed the ongoing miracles wrought through his heavenly assistance. Today, he is remembered as a beacon of light in a darkened world, whose life continues to shine forth as a testament to the transformative power of faith and selfless love.
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