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 St.
Antoninus, archbishop of Florence, begins the biography of Bernardin with the
words, "The grace of God, Our Saviour, has appeared in His servant Bernardin,
who shone like a bright star in a dark night, and with the heavenly brilliance
of his virtue and doctrine frightened away the darkness."
The great saint descended from the old knightly
family of the Albizeschi of Siena, and was born on September 8, 1380, in the
town of Massa, a dependency of Siena, where his father was governor. When
Bernardin was only 7 years old, he had lost both his parents, but he was
reared in the fear of God by devout relatives. He evinced a great love for the
poor, with whom, as a little boy, he gladly shared his food. He attended
divine services with the most edifying devotion, and listened to sermons with
such attention that he could repeat them to his companions.
He loved purity above all the virtues. While he
attended the secondary school in Siena, he could not hear an unbecoming word
without blushing for shame, so that those who spoken it themselves blushed.
When any indecent conversation was going on among his companions, they stopped
as soon as they saw him coming. "Be still," they said, "Bernardin is
coming."
While the holy youth was otherwise very meek, he
was friendly to all, he could nevertheless grow extremely angry if decency was
violated. A prominent citizen once purposely told him something indecent in
the open market place. Bernardin gave him a resounding slap in the face, and
amid the laughter of the bystanders the disgraced citizen had to
withdraw.
With his great love for purity, Bernardin united a
tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin, whom he used to call his beloved. Out
of devotion to her he daily visited an image of Mary just outside the town of
Siena; he prayed there especially to learn his vocation. The Mother of Grace,
who had protected him in the world, now led him to the sanctuary of the
convent. In the quiet little convent of St. Mary Colombaio, which St. Francis
himself had founded. Bernardin received the holy habit on the feast of the
Nativity of Mary in the year 1402. On the same feast in the following year, he
made his profession, and after he was ordained and appointed to preach, he
also gave his first sermon on the feast of Mary's nativity.
Since, however, Bernardin's voice was very weak and
hoarse, he seemed ill-fitted for the office of a preacher. Yet here, too, his
beloved Mother helped him. AT her intercession his voice suddenly became so
powerful and melodious that he became one of the most distinguished
missionaries.
Now he journeyed all over Italy in order to
announce to the people the virtues and vices, and the reward of the former and
punishment of the latter. In many places such depravity existed that he found
it necessary to preach sermons which he himself called sermons for heathens.
The effects, however, were so astounding that Pope Pius II compared him with
the Apostle of the Gentiles and called him a second Paul. After he had shaken
their truths, he poured into them the soothing oil of the sweet name of Jesus,
our Saviour and Redeemer, and preached on Mary, the Mother of
Mercy.
His blessed ministry induced many towns to seek him
as their bishop. This Siena, Ferrara, and Urbino petitioned in turn for this
privilege, and the pope offered Bernardin the episcopal dignity. But with
unchanging humility, he declined every time. He remained among his religious
brethren whom he encouraged in religious perfection.
Rich in merits and virtue he died at Aquila on May
20, 1944, Pope Nicholas V canonized him 6 years later, whereupon the citizens
of Aquila built to his honor a beautiful church with a magnificent marble
tomb.
ON INDECENT CONVERSATION
1. "Blessed are the
clean of heart" (Matt 5:8). This praise was merited by Bernardin in his youth
and throughout his life. That is why indecent conversation displeased him so
very much. Such talk comes from an unclean heart and filthy mind, because "out
of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks." How detestable it is for a
Christian to indulge in shameless and double-meaning speech or lewd songs,
since all his bodily members have been sanctified in baptism and have, as it
were, become the members of Christ, who is our head. Added to this is the fact
that a Christian's mouth receives the most holy Body of Christ in holy
Communion. Therefore the Apostle says: "Uncleanness, let it not so much as be
named among you, or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility" (Eph 5:4).
If such matters do not impress you as abominable, then fear lest your heart be
not clean.
2. Consider how harmful indecent conversation is to those who
listen. The Holy Spirit warns: "Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt
good manners" (1 Cor 15:33). The smouldering embers of indecent desire lie in
the heart of every man since the time of original sin. He who fears it least
is most dangerously exposed to the unclean fire. St. Chrysostom, speaking of
conversation and jests that offend against decency, says that nothing so
readily destroys chastity as the flame that is enkindled through them. That is
why Bernardin dealt so vigorously with the citizen who told them a filthy
story. The young man would rather have let himself be struck in the face than
be addressed with such speech. -- How do you conduct yourself in such
instances? In their rule, Tertiaries are especially warned to flee filthy and
loose conversation.
3. Consider how there was bound up with this great love
for chastity on the part of St. Bernardin, a tender love for Mary. For us,
too, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary will be a special means of preserving
the love of chastity and of being protected against all dangers. To this end
honor the Blessed Virgin, the Queen of Virgins, particularly during the month
of May.
If no other refuge remains for you in time of danger, then say over
and over again the holy names of Jesus and Mary. Recommend yourself, also, to
St. Bernardin, that you may remain faithful to God.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
O Lord Jesus, who didst
grant to St. Bernardin, Thy confessor, a very special love for Thy most holy
name, pour forth in us, we beseech Thee, through his merits and intercession,
the spirit of Thy love, Who livest and reignest forever and ever.
Amen.
May 24 - Dedication of
the Patriarchal Basilica
of Our Holy Father St. Francis at
Assisi,
and Commemoration of the
Transfer of the Body of St.
Francis
This feast and commemoration are observed by all
the branches of the Franciscan Order. When St. Francis died in 1226, he was
buried in the Church of St. George in Assisi (now a chapel in Santa Chiara,
and the shrine of the original San Damiano crucifix.) Two years later St.
Francis was solemnly canonized, and the building of San Francesco at the other
end of the town was begun. In May, 1230, the body of the saint was transferred
to the new church; and in 1253, on the anniversary of the transfer, Pope
Innocent IV consecrated the Church of San Francesco. Pope Benedict XIV
(1740-1758) raised it to the rank of a patriarchal basilica and papal
chapel.
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