May 20 - Saint Bernardine of Siena
Born: September 8, 1380
Died: May 20, 1444
Nationality: Italian
Vocation: Priest
Attributes: the IHS symbol, Franciscan habit, book
Patronage: Advertising, communications, gambling, Italy, public relations
Canonization: 1450, Pope Nicholas V
In 1380, Bernardine Albizeschi was born to wealthy parents in the Italian province of Siena. Tragically, his mother died when he was only three and his father died when Bernardine was seven. The boy’s aunt Diana took Bernardine in and taught him to seek God to comfort him in his grief. He was kind and generous towards the poor from a young age and attended closely to his studies. Before he followed his vocation as a preacher, Bernardine spent several years attending to the sick and poor in a hospital in Scala.
During this time a deadly plague broke out in Italy. The hospital in which Bernardine worked began to lose 20 people a day to the deadly illness. So many people died that Bernardine, who was only 20-years-old, eventually had to take charge of the whole operation. He convinced 12 young men to join him, and though he never caught the plague, he worked himself to the point of exhaustion caring for his patients.
When he recovered from his own illness, he left the hospital to care for his aunt who had raised him. Upon her death, Bernardine left the city and secluded himself. Now 22, the young man fasted and prayed to know what God wanted him to do with his life.
Bernardine entered the Franciscans of the Strict Observance that same year. He was ordained as a priest only two years later, but spent most of his first years in the order fasting and praying. It was only later that his gifts as a preacher were recognized, and he went out to deliver the good news. It was Bernardine’s deep devotion to God that made his preaching so powerful and the faith of many was deepened.
Bernardine was well known for promoting devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, especially through using the first three initials of “Jesus” in Greek – IHS. He repeatedly refused the office of bishop, though towards the end of his life, he did serve as the Vicar General of the Franciscan order and was able to exponentially increase the number of friars in the order.
He left his position after 5 years and continued preaching until both his voice and strength had left him. He died while on the road preaching. Bernadine is remembered as “the Apostle of Italy” for his massive evangelization effort.
St. Bernadine of Siena, pray for us.