Saint Bernardine of Siena
Image: Catholic Online
(EWTN) Born in Italy Massa Marittima in the territory of Siena, Bernardine was a true disciple of St. Francis, an admirable minister of the Word of God, inflamed with the most ardent love of our Divine Redeemer, was made by God an instrument to kindle the same Holy fire innumerable souls and to inspire them with his spirit of humility and meekness.
At the age of 17 Bernardine enrolled himself in the confraternity of Our Lady in the hospital at Scala to serve the sick. About three years later when Bernardine was about 20 according to Franciscan Media the plague was at its height in his hometown with sometimes as many as twenty people dying in one day at the local hospital. Bernardine offered to manage the hospital and with the help of other young men, nursed patients. While Bernardine escaped the plague, a fever finally exhausted him and confined him for several months.
Following Bernardine’s recovery, he spent another year caring for his beloved Auntie (her parents had died when he was just a child) and at her death, he began to fast and pray to know God’s will for his life.
Bernardine entered the Franciscan Order at 22 and was Ordained just two years later. For nearly a dozen years Fr. Bernardine lived in solitude and prayer however his gifts ultimately caused him to be sent to evangelize. Fr. Bernardine always traveled by foot, sometimes ministering for hours in one place, then doing the same in another town.
Fr. Bernardine, especially known for his devotion to the Holy name of Jesus, devised the symbol “IHS” the first 3 letters for the name of Jesus in Greek in Gothic letters on a blazing sun–this was to displace the superstitious symbols of the day as well as the insignia of factions. The devotion spread and the symbol “IHS” began to appear in Churches, homes and public buildings. Opposition arose from those who believed it was a dangerous innovation. Three attempts were made to have Pope Martin V take action against Fr. Bernardine but his holiness, conviction and intelligence prevailed–were evidenced of his faithfulness.
Fr. Bernardine’s tireless commitment to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people remained until the very end of his life.
In 1444 Fr. Bernardine set out to minister in Naples, where he had only visited once before, en-route he became ill and was taken to the Convent of Saint Francesco where he died on the ‘Vigil of the Feast of Ascension’ at the age of 63
Fr. Bernardine was Canonized in 1450 by Pope Nicholas V
Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Bernardine of Siena, Visit: -USCCB