Bernard of Corleone
Encyclopedia
Saint Bernard of Corleone is a Catholic
saint
who was born on the island of Sicily
in the year 1605. His father was a shoemaker, and Bernard learned this trade. Upon the death of his father, he took up fencing, becoming skilled in the art. While not particularly devout in his youth, he would defend old people and other helpless and defenseless persons against violence. He frequently made visits to a local crucifix, and provided that a lamp be kept burning before it. He was a devotee of Saint Francis of Assisi. Bernard was challenged to a duel, in which he killed his opponent. To escape from the man's avengers, he sought refuge amongst the Capuchin Franciscans.
He appealed for admission among the Capuchins as a lay brother, and on December 13, 1632 he entered the Franciscan novitiate
. His devotion became more severe: seven times a day he scourged himself, drawing blood. His sleep was limited to three hours a night on a narrow board, with a block of wood under his head. He fasted for the most part on bread and water. If other food was given to him, he would place the food in his mouth to whet his appetite, and then take it out without consuming it.
Bernard was a devotee of Mary
, and encouraged others in this devotion. His biographers within the church claim that Mary appeared to him and placed Jesus
, as an infant, in his arms. It is also claimed that she gave him knowledge of the day of his death four months in advance. He died at Palermo on January 12, 1667.
His funeral procession was extensive, due to his fame as a saintly man. Numerous miracles reportedly occurring at his grave, and recorded by historians of the church, promoted the cause of his beatification by pope Clement XIII in 1767 and subsequent canonization by pope John Paul II in 2001.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
who was born on the island of Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
in the year 1605. His father was a shoemaker, and Bernard learned this trade. Upon the death of his father, he took up fencing, becoming skilled in the art. While not particularly devout in his youth, he would defend old people and other helpless and defenseless persons against violence. He frequently made visits to a local crucifix, and provided that a lamp be kept burning before it. He was a devotee of Saint Francis of Assisi. Bernard was challenged to a duel, in which he killed his opponent. To escape from the man's avengers, he sought refuge amongst the Capuchin Franciscans.
He appealed for admission among the Capuchins as a lay brother, and on December 13, 1632 he entered the Franciscan novitiate
Novitiate
Novitiate, alt. noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a novice monastic or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether they are called to the religious life....
. His devotion became more severe: seven times a day he scourged himself, drawing blood. His sleep was limited to three hours a night on a narrow board, with a block of wood under his head. He fasted for the most part on bread and water. If other food was given to him, he would place the food in his mouth to whet his appetite, and then take it out without consuming it.
Bernard was a devotee of Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
, and encouraged others in this devotion. His biographers within the church claim that Mary appeared to him and placed Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, as an infant, in his arms. It is also claimed that she gave him knowledge of the day of his death four months in advance. He died at Palermo on January 12, 1667.
His funeral procession was extensive, due to his fame as a saintly man. Numerous miracles reportedly occurring at his grave, and recorded by historians of the church, promoted the cause of his beatification by pope Clement XIII in 1767 and subsequent canonization by pope John Paul II in 2001.