St. Bernadine of Sienna

St. Bernardine of Siena Biography

St. Bernadine of Siena is a Catholic saint and Franciscan preacher who lived in the 14th century AD. He is known for his powerful sermons, which were known to attract thousands of people and were instrumental in the return to the religious practices of many of the Sienese citizens during his lifetime.

St. Bernadine was born in Massa Marittima, a small town in Tuscany, Italy in 1380. At the age of 16, he joined the local Franciscan friary and began his religious studies. He was ordained a priest in 1404 and soon gained a reputation as a gifted preacher.

He was sent to Siena, Italy by his order to help revive the faith in the city, which was in a state of moral and spiritual decline. He preached in the city’s cathedral and in the streets, attracting large crowds with his powerful sermons. His preaching was characterized by a simple, direct, and passionate style that emphasized the importance of repentance, the love of God and the need for a personal conversion.

St. Bernadine was also known for his devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, which he propagated throughout Italy. He was the first one to use the word “Jesus” as a means of popular devotion. He would encourage the faithful to recite the name of Jesus as a form of spiritual exercise, and would often end his sermons by saying “in the name of Jesus.” This devotion became so popular that it spread throughout Italy and beyond, and is still practiced today.

In addition to his preaching and devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, St. Bernadine was also known for his charitable works. He established hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions to help the poor and the sick. He was also a strong advocate for peace, and worked to reconcile feuding families and factions in Siena.

St. Bernadine’s preaching and work brought about a significant spiritual renewal in Siena. Many people returned to the practice of their faith and the city’s moral and spiritual life was transformed. His impact was so significant that he was recognized as a saint during his own lifetime, and he is considered to be one of the greatest preachers of his time.

St. Bernadine died in 1444 AD in Aquila, Italy, while on a preaching tour. He was canonized by Pope Nicholas V in 1450, and his feast day is celebrated on May 20th. There are many churches, chapels, and institutions dedicated to St. Bernadine around the world, and he is considered to be a model for all preachers and a patron of the Franciscan Order. His legacy continues to be celebrated for his powerful sermons, devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and his charitable works.

The Life of St. Bernadine of Sienna

St. Bernardine was born of the noble family of Albizeschi, at Masse, Italy, in 1380. When he was only three years old, he lost his mother, and his father, who was the chief magistrate of the town, died before Saint Bernardine turned seven. His maternal aunt cared for him for five years and instilled into his heart a spirit of fervor and piety, for which she herself was full of. Each Saturday, he fasted in honor of the Blessed Virgin. At seven years old, St. Bernardine’s uncle placed him in school in Siena. After completing his studies in philosophy, he studied civil and canon law, and the Sacred Scripture.

Caring for the sick

At the age of seventeen, St. Bernardine was enrolled in the Confraternity of Our Lady in the hospital of Scala, and for four years served the sick. In 1400, a dreadful pandemic spread in several sections of Italy. When it reached Siena, Bernardine persuaded twelve young men to assist him in caring for the sick and the dying. God preserved Bernardine, but upon his return home, he fell ill from a fever, which lasted four months. He recovered just in time to attend his blind and bed-ridden aunt. Upon her death fourteen months later, St. Bernardine retired to a house near the city. There in solitude, he fasted and prayed to learn God’s Will for him.

Preaching

Later, he entered the Franciscan Order of the Strict Observance at Columbaria, near Siena. He made his profession on September 8, 1404. His first sermon was preached on September 8, 1417, and he continued a successful career of preaching until his death. He was considered one of the foremost Italian missionaries of the 15th century. Everywhere he traveled, he preached devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. The popularity of this devotion is due in great measure to the burning zeal and eloquence of St. Bernardine. In 1427 he refused the position of bishopric of Siena, so as to be able to continue his service to a greater number of souls. In 1431, he likewise refused the bishopric of Ferrara, and in 1435 the bishop of Urbino.

Miracles

Amidst the greatest applause and honors, the most sincere humility was always shown in St. Bernardine’s words and actions, and he ever strove to conceal the talents with which God had enriched him. Nevertheless, God was pleased to honor His servant before men. He miraculously cured many lepers and other sick people, and it is claimed that he raised four dead persons to life. St. Bernardine was appointed Vicar-General of his Order in 1438, and was responsible for reviving discipline among the Franciscans. After five years he obtained a discharge from his office, and then continued his preaching career until he was stricken with fever, from which he died on May 20, 1444. When the news of his death spread abroad there was universal regret. “The star of Italy”, it was said, “had set; the Saint was dead.” Many miracles occurred at his tomb. St. Bernardine’s remains are kept in a crystal shrine, enclosed in one of silver, in the Franciscan church at Aquila. He was canonized by Pope Nicholas V in 1453.

Prayers to St. Bernadine

Saint Bernardine of Siena, words were very important to you.

You spent most of your life speaking the golden words of Jesus’ mercy and his Holy Name.

And you abhorred words that were shameful.

Pray for us that we may always choose to speak Jesus’ name with reverence and choose words of love over words of shame.

Amen

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 St. Bernadine of Sienna, Intercessor for the Sick

Dear St. Bernadine, you were known for your compassion for the sick and for your miracles of healing. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is suffering from (insert illness or condition). Please ask our Lord to grant them comfort and healing, and to give them the strength to endure this trial with courage and faith. Amen.

St. Bernadine of Sienna, Protector of the Homeless and Needy

Dear St. Bernadine, you were a defender of the poor and the marginalized, and you worked tirelessly to provide for the needs of those who were homeless and hungry. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is struggling with poverty and homelessness. Please pray that they may be granted the resources and support they need to overcome these difficulties and to rebuild their lives. Amen.

St. Bernadine of Sienna, Patron of Preachers

Dear St. Bernadine, you were a powerful preacher who inspired countless people to live lives of faith and devotion. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who has been called to preach the gospel and to spread the message of Christ’s love. Please pray that they may be given the wisdom and courage to fulfill this mission, and that their words may bring others closer to our Lord. Amen.

St. Bernadine of Sienna, Guardian of the Dying

Dear St. Bernadine, you were known for your comfort and support for those who were facing death, and for your miracles of deliverance from death. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is facing the end of life. Please pray that they may be granted peace, comfort, and the assurance of our Lord’s love, and that they may pass from this life with grace and dignity. Amen.

 

Popular St. Bernadine Medal and St. Bernadine Rosary

St. Bernadine of Sienna: The Patron Saint of Preachers and Advertising

St. Bernadine of Sienna, born in 1380, was a Franciscan friar and preacher known for his powerful speeches that spread the message of Christianity throughout Italy. He was declared a saint by the Catholic Church in 1450, and is considered the patron saint of preachers and advertising.

As a Franciscan friar, St. Bernadine was known for his exceptional speaking abilities and was called upon to preach to large crowds of people. He was so successful in spreading the message of Christianity that he was appointed to travel throughout Italy, spreading the word of God to anyone who would listen. This earned him the nickname the Apostle of Italy.

In addition to his preaching, St. Bernadine is also recognized as the patron saint of advertising. This is because of the unique way in which he spread the message of Christianity. He used simple and memorable phrases, such as In hoc signo vinces (In this sign you will conquer), to make his teachings stick in the minds of those he preached to. This same approach was later adopted by advertisers, who used similar techniques to promote their products.

St. Bernadine’s impact on the world of preaching and advertising is still felt today. His powerful speeches continue to inspire preachers and advertisers alike to find creative and effective ways to share their message with others. And for this reason, St. Bernadine is remembered and revered by many as the patron saint of preachers and advertising.

St. Bernadine of Sienna was a powerful and influential preacher who used his exceptional speaking abilities to spread the message of Christianity throughout Italy. He is remembered today as the patron saint of preachers and advertising, and continues to inspire those in these fields to find creative and effective ways to share their message with others.

Reflection on the feast day of St. Bernadine of Sienna

The feast day of St. Bernadine of Siena is on May 20th.

St. Bernadine of Siena was an Italian priest and Franciscan missionary of the 14th century who is remembered for his powerful preaching and his devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. He preached throughout Italy, spreading devotion to the Holy Name, and is credited with popularizing the use of the name “”Jesus”” as a way to invoke God’s presence and protection.

On the feast day of St. Bernadine, we are called to reflect on his life and the example he set for us. We can learn from his deep devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, and his commitment to spreading that devotion to others. He was a great preacher, who used his gift to bring people to God and to inspire others to do the same.

The devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus that St. Bernadine popularized is a reminder of the power of the name of Jesus to transform our lives. When we invoke the name of Jesus, we call upon the power of the one who is the Son of God, the savior of the world, and the source of our salvation.

Through St. Bernadine’s preaching, many people were converted, and many lives were changed. His message of devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus was not only a message of faith but also a message of love and hope. He showed that through the power of the name of Jesus, we can find the strength to overcome our difficulties and to find the light in the darkness.

Let us ask for the intercession of St. Bernadine, that we may be inspired by his example to deepen our own devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and to share that devotion with others. Let us also pray that we may be guided in our own spiritual journey and that we may always find comfort and strength in the Name of Jesus.

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Saints Similar to St. Bernadine of Sienna

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Catherine of Siena and the Biography of St. Catherine Laboure. St. Bernadine of Sienna, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Catherine Laboure were all devoted to the Virgin Mary and had mystical experiences. St. Bernadine was known for his promotion of the Holy Name of Jesus. St. Catherine of Siena had visions and played a significant role in the Church. St. Catherine Laboure experienced apparitions of the Miraculous Medal. Next up: Biography of St. Bernard of Clairvaux

 

Also check out our handmade St. Bernadine of Sienna Medal and St. Bernadine of Sienna Rosary and St. Bernadine of Sienna Rosary Bracelet.