Feast of San Bernardino da Siena

San Bernardino da Siena, ora pro nobis

May 20th is the feast of St. Bernardine of Siena, Priest, Missionary preacher in Italy, Vicar General of the Observant Friars of Tuscany and Umbria, reformer of the Franciscan Order, and promoter of the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. Patron saint of advertisers; public relations; Bernalda, Matera; Vinchiaturo, Campobasso; and co-patron of L’Aquila, Abruzzo; he is also invoked against compulsive gambling, dysentery, and respiratory problems.

Through his preaching and the use of his IHS trigram, representing the first three letters of Our Lord’s name, San Bernardino made popular the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. According to some, the abbreviation also stands for Iesus hominum salvator, which is Latin for “Jesus the Savior of Men.”

Retiring from his position due to illness, San Bernardino wished to evangelize in the Kingdom of Naples. The itinerant preacher died in L’Aquila, Abruzzo, on May 20, 1444, at the age of 64. After his death, his body was exposed for veneration and it miraculously excreted a prodigious amount of blood, which caused the factious inhabitants to cease fighting amongst themselves. The Aquilani refused to allow his body to be taken to his native Tuscany and a great many miracles have been attributed to the Saint.

In celebration, we’re posting the Prayer of St. Bernardine of Siena. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Fr. Eugene Carrella, was taken at the Church of the Assumption in New Brighton, Staten Island. Evviva San Bernardino da Siena!

Prayer of St. Bernardine of Siena

Jesus, Name full of glory, grace, love and strength! You are the refuge of those who repent, our banner of warfare in this life, the medicine of souls, the comfort of those who mourn, the delight of those who believe, the light of those who preach the true faith, the wages of those who toil, the healing of the sick.

To You our devotion aspires; by You our prayers are received; we delight in contemplating You. O Name of Jesus, You are the glory of all the saints for eternity. Amen.