Saint Berardo
Encyclopedia
Saint Berardo is an Italian saint, patron saint of the city and diocese of Teramo
.
in the Abruzzo
region of Italy. Important information concerning his life is found in the ancient church records from this area as well as the chronicles of his successor, the Bishop Sassone. Saint Berardo entered the monastery in Montecassino as a young man and was later associated with the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. He became well known for his good works and upon the death of the Bishop Uberto, Berardo was asked to become a pastor in the territory of Teramo. He took on this role for seven years beginning in 1116 and focused his efforts on helping the poor and making peace amongst the warring factions of the local citendry.
Saint Berardo died in 1123. He was buried in what today is known as Saint Anne's chapel in the ancient Teramo Cathedral
. This is one of the few locations which were not destroyed by the siege and burning of Teramo carried out by the Norman commander, Roberto di Loretello.
Around 1174, upon the initiative of the Bishop Attone, the remains of Saint Berardo were transferred to the newly completed cathedral of Teramo, first to a crypt where they remained for 600 years and finally, in 1776, to a chapel built by the people of Teramo in his honor during the leadership of the Bishop Pirelli.
Several miracle
s have been attributed to him. A 16th century bust and a 17th century likeness of his arm giving a blessing, both in silver, can be found in Teramo Cathedral. A stone statue of Saint Berardo which formerly covered his crypt, is now located at the summit of a chapel dedicated to his honor. Within the cathedral's sacristy is a 17th century altarpiece by the Polish painter Sebastiano Majeski bearing the likeness of the saint entitled The Miracle of Saint Berardo. Also located in the cathedral is a painting by Giuseppe Bonolis, depicting The Virgin Mary and Saint Berardo liberating the city of Teramo from the siege of the Duke of Atri and numerous other works depicting the life of Saint Berardo. An outstanding and varied collection of engravings and prints related to Saint Berardo was chronicled and organized by Raffaele Aurini in 1973. It is a comprehensive biographical and iconographical source of information related to the life of this saint.
Over the years, the municipal authorities of Teramo have at various times taken up and abandoned the yearly custom of lighting a large candle in honour of Saint Berardo.
Teramo
Teramo is a city and comune in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, the capital of the province of Teramo.The city, from Rome, is situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines and the Adriatic coast...
.
Life
Saint Berardo was born into the noble family da Pagliara, whose castle bore their name near the town of Isola del Gran SassoIsola del Gran Sasso
Isola del Gran Sasso d’Italia is a town and comune in Teramo province in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.-External links:*...
in the Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
region of Italy. Important information concerning his life is found in the ancient church records from this area as well as the chronicles of his successor, the Bishop Sassone. Saint Berardo entered the monastery in Montecassino as a young man and was later associated with the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. He became well known for his good works and upon the death of the Bishop Uberto, Berardo was asked to become a pastor in the territory of Teramo. He took on this role for seven years beginning in 1116 and focused his efforts on helping the poor and making peace amongst the warring factions of the local citendry.
Saint Berardo died in 1123. He was buried in what today is known as Saint Anne's chapel in the ancient Teramo Cathedral
Teramo Cathedral
The Cathedral of Teramo is a church in Teramo, Abruzzo, central Italy. It is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and to Saint Berardo, patron saint of the city...
. This is one of the few locations which were not destroyed by the siege and burning of Teramo carried out by the Norman commander, Roberto di Loretello.
Around 1174, upon the initiative of the Bishop Attone, the remains of Saint Berardo were transferred to the newly completed cathedral of Teramo, first to a crypt where they remained for 600 years and finally, in 1776, to a chapel built by the people of Teramo in his honor during the leadership of the Bishop Pirelli.
Cult, miracles, and icons
The Feast of Saint Berardo is celebrated on December 19, in commemoration of the day of the saint's death.Several miracle
Miracle
A miracle often denotes an event attributed to divine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that a god may work with the laws...
s have been attributed to him. A 16th century bust and a 17th century likeness of his arm giving a blessing, both in silver, can be found in Teramo Cathedral. A stone statue of Saint Berardo which formerly covered his crypt, is now located at the summit of a chapel dedicated to his honor. Within the cathedral's sacristy is a 17th century altarpiece by the Polish painter Sebastiano Majeski bearing the likeness of the saint entitled The Miracle of Saint Berardo. Also located in the cathedral is a painting by Giuseppe Bonolis, depicting The Virgin Mary and Saint Berardo liberating the city of Teramo from the siege of the Duke of Atri and numerous other works depicting the life of Saint Berardo. An outstanding and varied collection of engravings and prints related to Saint Berardo was chronicled and organized by Raffaele Aurini in 1973. It is a comprehensive biographical and iconographical source of information related to the life of this saint.
Over the years, the municipal authorities of Teramo have at various times taken up and abandoned the yearly custom of lighting a large candle in honour of Saint Berardo.