Saint Bernardino of Siena
Saint Bernardino of Siena (born September 8, 1380 AD in Massa Marittima, Tuscany, Italy; died May 20, 1444 AD in Aquila, Italy) was a Franciscan friar and the greatest popular preacher of 15th-century Italy. He popularized the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus (the IHS monogram), reformed the Observant branch of the Franciscans, and preached throughout Italy for more than 30 years to enormous crowds. He was canonized by Pope Nicholas V in 1450 — only six years after his death. His feast day is May 20.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Bernardino of Siena
| Saint Bernardino of Siena | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 20 |
| Profession | Franciscan Observant friar; preacher; reformer of the Franciscan Observance; vicar general of the Franciscan Observants (1438); theologian and teacher at Perugia |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Franciscan Order (Friars Minor Observant); 15th-century Italian preaching tradition; devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus (IHS); Sienese Christianity |
| Patronage | Advertising and communications (for his preaching); public relations; Italy; Siena; Aquila; the Franciscan Observants; those who preach or teach; gambling addicts (he preached against gambling); weavers |
| Attributes | Franciscan habit; the IHS monogram on a tablet (his most distinctive attribute); a sunburst (the IHS sunburst); three bishop's miters at his feet (the three sees he refused); a flame or burning heart; L'Aquila or Siena in background |
| Birthplace | Massa Marittima, Tuscany, Italy |
| Death Place | Aquila (L'Aquila), Abruzzo, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died May 20, 1444 AD, in Aquila (L'Aquila) at the Franciscan church of San Bernardino; he was 63 years old; he had been preaching and traveling throughout Italy for more than 30 years without rest; he died exhausted from his apostolic labors; his death was immediately followed by a massive popular cult; he was canonized only 6 years later in 1450 — one of the fastest canonizations in medieval papal history; the Basilica di San Bernardino in L'Aquila was built over his tomb |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica di San Bernardino, L'Aquila — his body; May 20 feast; damaged by 2009 earthquake but partially restored; major Italian pilgrimage |
| Liturgical Class | Memorial (Roman Rite); May 20; Feast in Franciscan Order and Italy |
| Historic Class | Double of the Second Class (May 20) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Bernardino degli Albizzeschi was born September 8, 1380, in Massa Marittima. He was orphaned young and raised in Siena by an aunt. He joined the Franciscans in 1402, was ordained, and began preaching throughout Italy in 1417.
For more than 25 years he crisscrossed the Italian peninsula on foot, preaching to crowds of tens of thousands. He was tried for heresy for promoting the IHS monogram but was acquitted. He reformed the Franciscan Observant movement, refused three episcopal sees, and served as vicar general of the Observants from 1438.
The IHS monogram — which he held up on a wooden tablet at the end of every sermon — became the most recognized symbol of devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. Saint Ignatius of Loyola later adopted it as the Jesuit emblem.
He died May 20, 1444, in L'Aquila, exhausted from his apostolic labors. He was canonized by Pope Nicholas V on May 24, 1450 — just six years later. The Basilica di San Bernardino in L'Aquila holds his tomb.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Massa Marittima, Tuscany, Italy
Death location: Aquila (L'Aquila), Abruzzo, Italy
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Known shrines
- Basilica di San Bernardino, L'Aquila — his tomb; May 20 feast.
Feast day
May 20
Veneration
Saint Bernardino of Siena was the greatest Franciscan preacher of 15th-century Italy and the man who spread the IHS monogram (later adopted by the Jesuits) throughout the world. Canonized 1450. His body rests in the Basilica di San Bernardino, L'Aquila. Feast May 20.
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