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Saint Bernardine of Siena OFM
(Credit : Jacopo Bellini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

St. Bernardine of Siena was born on September 8, 1380, in Aquila, Italy. He was an Italian Priest, and a Franciscan Missionary. He is known in the Roman Catholic Church as “The Apostle of Italy” for his efforts to revive the country’s Catholic faith during the 15th century. His preaching was often directed against gambling, witchcraft, sodomy, and usury. Two hagiographical lives of Bernardine were written by two of his friends, one the same year he died.

Early Life & Vocation

Bernardine was born to a noble family in Tuscany, a Sienese town of which his father was the Governor. He was left orphaned at the age of six, and a pious aunt raised him. He took a course in civil and canon law in 1397, and joined the Confraternity of Our Lady attached to the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala. Three years later, when the plague hit Siena, he ministered to the ill, and assisted by ten companions, took over the entire hospital. He escaped the plague but was so exhausted that a fever confined him for several months.

In 1403, he joined the Observant branch of the Order of Friars Minor, with a strict observance of St. Francis’ Rule. He was ordained a Priest in 1404 and was commissioned as a Preacher, in 1405.

Franciscan Mission

Instead of remaining cloistered and preaching only during the Liturgy, Bernardine preached directly to the public. He always traveled on foot, sometimes speaking for hours in one place, then doing the same in another town.

The IHS Symbol

Especially known for his devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, Saint Bernardine of Siena devised a symbol—IHS, the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek—in Gothic letters on a blazing sun. This was to displace the superstitious symbols of the day, as well as the insignia of factions: for example, Guelphs and Ghibellines. 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. Three attempts were made to have the pope take action against him, but Bernardine’s holiness, orthodoxy, and intelligence were evidence of his faithfulness. This symbol was later adopted by St. Ignatius of Loyola for the Jesuits.

Franciscan Vicar General

Bernardine became Vicar General of the Observant branch of the Franciscans in Italy in 1438. When he took over the Observance, there were 150 members in all of Italy. Shortly before his death, there were well over 4,000. He also reformed in excess of 300 convents of Friars. He also sent missionaries to Asia, and he is credited with helping ensure that many ambassadors from different schismatic nations attended the Council of Florence.

Death and Canonization

Worn out from years of preaching and of being Vicar General for the Franciscans, Bernardine died in 1444 in L’Aquila. According to tradition from his area, his grave continued to leak blood from it, until two thirds of the city achieved reconciliation.

Reports of miracles attributed to Bernardino multiplied rapidly after his death, and he was canonized in 1450, only six years after his death, by Pope Nicholas V. His feast day in the Roman Catholic Church is on 20 May, the day of his death.

Article by Catholic Time Staff