Saint Bernard of Menthon
Saint Bernard of Menthon (born c. 923 AD in Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Savoy (modern France); died May 28, 1008 AD in Novara, Italy) was an archdeacon of Aosta who founded hospices on the Great Saint Bernard Pass and the Little Saint Bernard Pass in the Alps to shelter travelers crossing the treacherous mountain routes. He is the patron saint of mountaineers and alpinists, and the Saint Bernard dog breed is named in his honor. His feast day is May 28.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Bernard of Menthon
| Saint Bernard of Menthon | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 28 |
| Profession | Archdeacon of Aosta; founder of the Great Saint Bernard and Little Saint Bernard Hospices; apostle of the Alps; preacher and evangelizer of Alpine peoples; rescuer of travelers |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Diocese of Aosta; 10th–11th century Alpine Christianity; Augustinian canons (who serve his hospice); patron of mountaineers |
| Patronage | Mountaineers; alpinists; skiers; hikers; travelers in the Alps; the Aosta Valley; Switzerland (secondary); travelers in danger; those caught in avalanches or snowstorms; the Saint Bernard dog breed |
| Attributes | Archdeacon's or priest's vestments; a model of the Alpine hospice; a Saint Bernard dog; snow and Alpine mountains; a pilgrim staff or torch; a cross in the mountains; travelers he is sheltering |
| Birthplace | Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Savoy (modern France) |
| Death Place | Novara, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died May 28, 1008 AD, in Novara, Italy, while on a pastoral journey; he was approximately 85 years old; he had served as archdeacon of Aosta for many years and had founded the two Alpine hospices that bore his name; he had spent his life serving travelers crossing the Alps and evangelizing the people of the mountain regions; he died while making a pastoral visitation and was buried in Novara |
| Primary Shrine | Great Saint Bernard Hospice, Great Saint Bernard Pass (2,473m) — continuously serving travelers since 962 AD; May 28 feast; major pilgrimage and tourist destination |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); May 28; Feast in Aosta and Alpine regions |
| Historic Class | Double (May 28) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Bernard was born c. 923 AD in Menthon-Saint-Bernard in Savoy, to a noble family. He refused a prearranged marriage, escaped his family, and went to Aosta where he came under the influence of the archdeacon Peter of Aosta. He studied, was ordained, and eventually became Archdeacon of Aosta — a position he held for approximately 42 years.
He founded hospices on both the Great Saint Bernard Pass (c. 962 AD, at 2,473m) and the Little Saint Bernard Pass to shelter travelers on the most dangerous Alpine crossings. The hospices were staffed by canons who provided food, shelter, and rescue services to the pilgrims, merchants, and soldiers crossing the Alps.
He also evangelized the mountain peoples and destroyed pagan shrines on the pass summits.
He died May 28, 1008, in Novara while on a pastoral journey. He was canonized in 1681 by Pope Innocent XI. Pope Pius XI declared him patron of mountaineers in 1923. The Saint Bernard dog breed — developed by the canons at his hospice for Alpine rescue — bears his name worldwide.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Savoy (modern France)
Death location: Novara, Italy
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Great Saint Bernard Hospice, Great Saint Bernard Pass — the hospice he founded (still active); May 28 feast.
- Little Saint Bernard Hospice, Little Saint Bernard Pass — his second foundation.
Feast day
May 28
Veneration
Saint Bernard of Menthon was a 10th-century Archdeacon of Aosta who founded the Great and Little Saint Bernard hospices in the Alps, providing shelter for travelers on the most dangerous mountain crossings. The Saint Bernard dog was bred at his hospice for rescue work. Patron of mountaineers since 1923. Feast May 28.
Prayers
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