In 1380, Bernardine Albizeschi was born in Siena, in the Italian Republic, to affluent parents. When the youngster was three years old, he lost his mother, and four years later, he lost his father as well. After that, his aunt Diana took care of him and taught him to turn to God for comfort and security.

As a result of his love for God, Bernardine showed a remarkable compassion for the impoverished even at an early age. He had become accustomed to fasting and occasionally chose to forgo eating in order to assist someone who was in more need. He concentrated on his academics from the age of 11 to 17, honing the eloquence and commitment that would be useful in his future work as an evangelist.

However, before becoming a preacher, Bernardine worked with the sick and dying for several years. He joined a religious order that worked at the Scala town hospital, and he dedicated himself to this task from 1397 to 1400.

A devastating epidemic that struck Siena around that period created a crisis that ultimately resulted in the young man gaining command of the entire hospital. Up to twenty patients per day were passing away inside its walls from a disease that also claimed the lives of numerous medical staff members. There was a steady influx of new victims and the medical team was completely depleted.

After taking over the hospital's operations for four months, Bernardine convinced twelve young men to assist him in carrying out its duties. He was not bitten by the plague, but the long hours of labor left him debilitated, and he fell ill with another illness that kept him bedridden for four months.

Following his recuperation, he took care of his aunt Bartholomaea for more than a year till her passing. After that, the 22-year-old Bernardine relocated to a modest home outside of the city, where he started using fasting and prayer to determine what God's will was for his future.

Ultimately, in 1403, he decided to become a member of the Franciscans of the Strict Observance, adopting an austere lifestyle centered on poverty and humility. When Bernardine was praying in front of a crucifix at this period, he heard Christ 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.”

Bernardine's superiors gave him a missionary assignment to preach to Italians who were abandoning their Catholic religion after he was consecrated as a priest. Before departing Italy, the Dominican missionary St. Vincent Ferrer gave a sermon in which he prophesied that one of his listeners would carry on his ministry among the Italians. Bernardine personally heard this prophecy, which he later fulfilled.

Bernardine's preaching was powerfully successful because of his commitment to God, which even the austere Franciscans were astounded at. He inspired those he spoke to to give up their vices, return to God, and find harmony among themselves. He encouraged devotion to the name of Jesus as an easy and practical way to always remember God's love.

Bernardine provided other priests with a straightforward rule when they came to him for guidance: “In all your actions, seek in the first place the kingdom of God and his glory. Direct all you do purely to his honor. Persevere in brotherly charity, and practice first all that you desire to teach others. By this means, the Holy Spirit will be your master, and will give you such wisdom and such a tongue that no adversary will be able to stand against you.”

This wellspring of resilience in the face of adversity was demonstrated by Bernardine's own life. Pope Martin V deemed the charge of heresy against him to be untrue, but he patiently bore it and continued his fearless preaching even when a nobleman threatened to kill him.

However, Bernardine was also well-liked throughout Italy, and he received three offers to become a bishop. But each time, he declined the offer, preferring to use his missionary efforts to carry out St. Vincent Ferrer's prophecy. Bernardine preached repeatedly throughout most of Italy, even bringing together members of the country's divided political parties.

Later in his life, Bernardine took on the role of Vicar General for his Franciscan order for five years, during which time he restored the order's severe code of conduct. Then, in 1444, forty years after he initially entered religious life, Bernardine fell ill while traveling. He carried on preaching, but he soon became weak and voiceless.

On May 20, 1444, St. Bernardine of Siena passed away. He was canonized by Pope Nicholas V in 1450, just six years later. Because of his efforts to restore the Catholic faith in Italy in the fifteenth century, St. Bernardine is referred to as "the Apostle of Italy." His feast is celebrated on May 20.

Other Saints of the Day
Saint Hilary
Saint Plautilla
Saint Ethelbert
Saint Anastasius XIII
Saint Theodore of Pavia