May 20th - St. Bernardino of Siena
Bernardino was born to Tollo degli Albizzeschi and Nera degli Avveduti at
Massa Marittima, Siena, Italy on September 8, 1380. His mother died when
he
was three and his father, when he was six, thus leaving him an orphan. For
the next five years he was raised by a maternal aunt and at the age of
eleven went to live with paternal relatives in Siena.
He was educated in Siena, studying the humanities, philosophy and canon
law.
He greatly enjoyed the Latin classics, but also devoted much time to the
study of Scripture and theology. In 1400 he spent four months caring for
plague victims, until he succumbed to the disease himself. He survived and
entered the Friars Minor and was professed in 1403 and ordained to the
priesthood in 1404. We don't know much about the next fifteen years of his
life, but we do know that he transcribed in his own hand two books which
were discovered in the 20th century in Budapest, Hungary and Naples,
Italy.
In 1417 he began a period of several years preaching and evangelizing. He
traveled throughout central and northern Italy. He was well known for his
eloquence and zeal for Christ. He was offered the bishopric of Siena and
later that of Ferrara and of Urbino. He refused all of these positions,
feeling himself called to preaching. From 1438 to 1442 he was also vicar
general of the friars of the strict observance.
In 1444, Bernardino, completed a fifty-day Lenten mission in his hometown
of
Massa, then set out to evangelize the kingdom of Naples. He contracted a
fever near Aquila, in the Abruzzi area of Italy. He was taken to the
convent
of St. Francis in Aquila where he died on May 20, 1444.
Bernardino was a great preacher with a deep love of God, of prayer and of
following the gospel teachings of Jesus. Often so many people came to hear
him preach that the people had to gather outdoors. Sometimes as many as
30,000 would come to listen to him. He was a staunch reformer who was
successful because he "lived" all that he taught.
Bernardino's writings are voluminous and his main focus was on Jesus, His
Passion, Mary and St. Joseph. He was truly a man who greatly loved God
above
all things and used all the great talents God had given him to make the
name
of Jesus known and loved by all he came in contact with.
Quote:
Resist your impatience faithfully, practicing, not only with reason, but
even against reason, holy courtesy and sweetness to all, but especially to
those who weary you the most.
-.St. Francis de Sales
Bible Quote
14 Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria
had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. 15 Who, when
they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
16
For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized
in
the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands upon them, and
they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17)
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Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead
"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the
hand
of the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.
TWENTY-SIXTH DAY
It costs us very little to help the faithful departed. We are obliged to
pray-to assist at Mass, to receive the Sacraments-to give alms, and to
fast
on the days appointed. If we are in the state of grace, and offer these
works for the Holy Souls, they are acceptable to God and speed their
relief.
Prayer: Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.
De Proffundis
Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,
O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the
voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful
forgiveness: and by reason of Thy
law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word; my soul
hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy;
And with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from
all its iniquities.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them:
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Most merciful Jesus, release the Souls in Purgatory from the results of
their imperfections, especially the soul suffering there through my bad
example. Take him today to Thy Heavenly Throne, that he may join the
Saints
in praise of Thee and will intercede for me in my hour of need.
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