Died: 16th January 1220
Feast Day:
16th January
Also Known
as: Berard
Canonized: 1481
Bernard was born into an aristocratic family in Umbria Italy joining the newly founded Franciscan Order in 1213.
Monks, Berard, Peter, Adjute, Accurs, Odo and Vitalis left Italy with
the blessing of Saint Francis in 1219 heading to Morocco on a mission
trip. Vitalis became sick in Spain and
ordered the other friars to continue without him. After preaching to the Muslims in Seville
with no converts they travelled on to Morocco and started preaching in the marketplace.
They were immediately arrested and told to leave the Country which they
refused to do. The Sultan became exasperated
when they started to preach again and ordered them to be executed. The Monks received several beatings and
bribes to convince them to give up their faith which they refused to do and
were beheaded in 1220 by the sultan himself.
Their relics were taken to Portugal where a young Augustinian monk was
prompted to join the Franciscans, this was Anthony of Padua. When Francis heard
of their deaths, he exclaimed, “Now I can truly say that I have five Friars
Minor!”
It is said that many miracles occurred due to their intercessions.
References:
Saint Berard
and Companions | Catholic Business Group (cpbcomaha.org)
Bernard
of Carbio & Companions | DAILY PRAYERS (daily-prayers.org)
Saint Berard and Companions |
uCatholic
Saint
Berard and Companions | Franciscan Media
St
Berard and Companions, Franciscans (roman-catholic-saints.com)
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