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ST BERNARD OF CORLEONE - 12 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 12th of January

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SAINT BERNARD OF CORLEONE, RELIGIOUS

Originally called Filippo Latino, Saint Bernard was born in 1605 in Corleone, Italy. A shoemaker by trade, he had contact with the soldiers stationed nearby. From them he learned the art of fencing. But on one occasion, he reacted to a provocation by cutting off his adversary's arm with a sword. To flee justice and to expiate his crime, he asked for shelter in a Capuchin convent and was taken in. Conversion ensued and he decided to join the Franciscans and become a lay brother in the order. 

BROTHER BERNARD

And so Filippo Latini became Brother Bernard in 1632. He started leading a most penitential life as a Franciscan. But along with his stern self-discipline and fasting, he advanced by giant steps in his prayer life. Many spiritual gifts were reported of him as time passed: prophecies, wonders, miracles.  

HIS ABILITY TO HEAL ANIMALS

Among the more unusual graces bestowed on Br. Bernard was the ability to heal animals. In a truly Franciscan spirit, he felt loving kinship with all lesser creatures. He was sad to see them in pain, for, as he said, they could not speak in order to tell human beings of their illnesses. 

"SUPERNATURAL VETERINARY"

Because of the reputation Bernard acquired of curing animals, owners of all sorts of animals brought them to this "supernatural veterinary".  He would usually say the Our Father over them, and then lead them three times around the cross that stood in front of the Capuchin church. "He cured them all," says a biographer.

A SPECIAL LOVE FOR THE BLESSED MOTHER

St Bernard cherished a special love for the Blessed Mother, and encouraged others to do the same. The Blessed Mother appeared to him and placed the Divine Child in his arms. Moreover, she gave him knowledge of the day of his death four months in advance. He died at Palermo on January 12, 1667. Numerous miracles occur at his grave.

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Bernard may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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