SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2021

Author: Jackulin Sheela

Feast Day – 20th May

‘The name of Jesus is the glory of preachers, because the shining splendour of that name causes his word to be proclaimed and heard.’ – St. Bernardine of Siena

St. Bernardine was born on September 8, 1380 at Massa Marittima, near Siena, Italy. His father was governor of the district. He suffered tragedy when his mother died when he was three. At age seven, his father also died. He was raised by his aunt Diana, who taught him to seek consolation and security by trusting in God. He focused on his studies, developing the eloquence and dedication that would serve his future work as an evangelist.

Even as a child, St. Bernardine had a strong love and concern for the poor. He fasted often in order to share his food with those in greater need. He attended divine services with the most edifying devotion, and listened to sermons with such attention that he could repeat them to his companions. At the age of 17, after a course of civil and canon law, he joined the Confraternity of Our Lady attached to the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala church.

When he was 20, a plague broke out in Siena that wiped out most of the hospital staff. St. Bernardine was put in charge of the entire hospital and with the help of other young men, nursed patients there for four months. He escaped the plague, but was so exhausted that a fever confined him for several months. He spent another year caring for his beloved aunt, and after her death he began to fast and pray to know God’s Will for his life.

At the age of 22, St. Bernardine joined the Franciscans of the Strict Observance, taking the vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience as a Franciscan Friar. While praying before a crucifix, he heard the Lord say to him: ‘My son, behold me hanging upon a cross. If you love me, or desire to imitate me, be also fastened naked to your cross and follow me. Thus you will assuredly find me.’

St. Bernardine's voice was very weak and hoarse; however, he seemed ill-fitted for the office of a preacher. The Blessed Mother helped him. At her intercession his voice suddenly became so powerful and melodious that he became one of the most distinguished missionaries. His voice became strong and commanding, attracting crowds who hung on his every word. He was an elegant and captivating preacher, and his use of popular imagery and creative language drew large crowds to hear his reflections.

After St. Bernardine was ordained, he appeared as a spectacular preacher in Milan and from then on travelled all over Italy, preaching in the open air, especially in the kingdom of Naples, whose citizens were falling away from Catholicism. He always travelled on foot, sometimes speaking for hours at a place, and then doing the same in another town. He was the greatest preacher of his time, calming strife-torn cities, attacking the paganism he found rampant, following St. Francis of Assisi’s admonition to preach about ‘vice and virtue, punishment and glory.’

St. Bernardine’s preaching was extremely effective. He preached about peace and reconciliation. His listeners abandoned their vices and turned back to God. He gave priests one simple rule: ‘In all your actions, seek in the first place the Kingdom of God and his glory. Direct all you do purely to his honour. Persevere in brotherly charity and practice first all that you desire to teach others.’

St. Bernardine devised a symbol—IHS because of his devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek—in Gothic letters on a blazing sun. The devotion spread, and the symbol began to appear in churches, homes and public buildings. Opposition arose from those who thought it a dangerous innovation. He carried with him a copy of the monogram, painted on a wooden tablet. They held the symbol aloft when they blessed the sick; many great miracles were reported from these blessings – all done in the Holy Name of Jesus. 

St. Bernardine suffered an accusation of heresy and was threatened with death, but he persevered. He was offered the office of bishop three times. But with unchanging humility, he turned it down.

At the age of 57, St. Bernardine was the Vicar General for the Franciscan order, and revived its practice of strict living. There was great growth in the numbers who joined – from 130 to 4,000 in his lifetime. He also was involved in setting up schools of theology and writing the statutes for the Observants to reform the order.

At the age of 63, St. Bernardine resigned and went back to preaching around Italy, but now moved around on a donkey. He preached in his home town of Massa Marittima for 50 consecutive days. After 40 years of religious life, he became sick while traveling. He continued to preach until he lost his voice.

St. Bernardine died on May 20, 1444 at Aquila. He was canonised just six years later by Pope Nicholas V. His great oratorical skills and persuasiveness are the reason that he is the patron saint of advertising, public relations and public speaking.