May 20 San Bernardino

St. Bernardine of Siena/San Bernardino (1380-1444)

 

According to Pope Pius II, Bernardine was “a second Paul”!

            Bernardine came from a knightly family in Siena. His parents died before he was seven. After studying theology and canon law in Siena, he joined the Franciscans in 1402. He entered the group known as the Observants, the forerunners of today’s Friars Minor, and was eventually known, with John of Capistrano (Oct. 23), James of the March (Nov. 28) and Albert of Sarteano, as one of the “four pillars of the Observance.”

            Bernardine was the greatest preacher of his day; sometimes 30,000 people came to hear him. In his time many Italian city-states were torn by rival factions, each with its own party emblem. Looking for a way of inviting them to move beyond these factions, Bernardine preached on the Holy Name of Jesus, the name before which

           "every knee must bend.... and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father:            JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!" (Phil 2:10-11)

            Bernardine had banners made with the emblem YHS or IHS (abbreviation of the Greek word for Jesus). He organized processions behind these to symbolize the surpassing of old allegiances. Some complained that this was superstitious and had Bernardine brought before Church authorities to explain himself; he was vindicated.

            In 1418 the Duke of Milan was so impressed with Bernardine’s Lenten sermons that he sent a messenger with some money for the friar. Bernardine refused to accept it, but led the messenger to the local prison and had him pay the debts of several people there.

            Most often Bernardine preached against luxury and extravagance. Several times his sermons concluded with a bonfire, “the Devil’s Castle,” into which people were invited to throw dice, playing cards, wigs, perfume, high-heeled shoes, etc. Bernardine also vigorously denounced usury, the charging of excessive interest on loans.

            Bernardine encouraged learning among the Franciscans as a preparation for preaching; he worked tirelessly for reform among the friars. Bernardine three times declined the offer to be made a bishop. He was canonized six years after his death.

QUOTE: “The name of Jesus is the glory of preachers, because the shining splendor of that name causes his word to be proclaimed and heard. And how do you think such an immense, sudden and dazzling light of faith came into the world, if not because Jesus was preached? Was it not through the brilliance and sweet savor of this name that ‘God called us into the marvelous light’ (I Peter 2:9)?” (St. Bernardine, Sermon #49)

COMMENT: By promoting devotion to the Holy Name, Bernardine hoped to draw many Italians out of the political factionalism which was destroying their cities. He also hoped they would live up to the name by which they were saved and would, in the words of St. Paul, “live worthy of your calling” (Eph 4:1). The question of allegiances is an open one until each person’s death.

by McCloskey, Patrick. Franciscan Saint of the Day. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1981.