Saint Bernardine of Siena
Feast Day: May 20
Saint Bernardine of Siena is also known as Bernardino of Siena. He was a priest and a preacher. He lived in Italy during the 1400s. He is known for spreading love for the Holy Name of Jesus.
Bernardine traveled from town to town. He preached in streets and public squares. Many people came to hear him. He spoke in a way that was easy to understand. His words helped people turn away from sin and come back to God.
He was a Franciscan friar. That means he followed the way of Saint Francis. He lived a simple life and trusted in God. He had a deep love for Jesus and Mary.
People remember him for holding up a sign with the letters “IHS.” These letters stand for the name of Jesus. He wanted people to say Jesus’ name with love and respect. His preaching helped many people grow in faith.
A Sick Child Finds His Way
Bernardine was born in 1380 in the city of Massa Marittima in Italy. His parents died when he was young. His aunts raised him. They were kind and taught him to love God.
He was a good student and loved to read. He spent time in prayer and helped the poor. When he was a young man, a plague came to Siena. Many people got sick and died. Bernardine worked at the hospital. He cared for the sick and helped keep things clean.
After the plague passed, Bernardine became very sick. He almost died. He spent a long time resting and healing. During this time, he thought about what God wanted from him.
At age 22, he joined the Franciscans. He wanted to live a simple life like Saint Francis. He gave away everything he had. He prayed, studied, and prepared to preach. He did not start preaching right away. He waited until he was ready.
A Preacher Who Moved Crowds
Bernardine became known for his preaching. He did not preach inside churches. He went to open places, like town squares. He stood on wooden boxes or steps so people could hear him. Large crowds came to listen.
He spoke in a clear and simple way. He talked about everyday things. He told people to stop lying, stealing, and cheating. He said people should be honest, kind, and faithful. He warned against sins like greed and pride.
Bernardine preached all over Italy. He walked from city to city. Sometimes he preached in the same town for days. Shops would close so people could come. His words had power because he lived what he preached.
He often held up a wooden tablet with the letters “IHS” on it. These letters stood for the name of Jesus. He said that saying Jesus’ name with love brings peace. He wanted the name of Jesus to be honored everywhere.
A Franciscan With a Mission
Bernardine also helped to renew the Franciscan Order. Many friars were not living the way Saint Francis had taught. Bernardine called them back to prayer, poverty, and simplicity.
He became a leader in the Order. He helped to start new Franciscan houses in Italy. He trained young friars and taught them how to live the Gospel. He wanted them to serve others with joy and humility.
He also wrote short books and sermons. He did not use fancy words. He wanted people to understand what he was saying. He wrote about sin, grace, Jesus, Mary, and daily life. His writings were shared with other preachers.
Bernardine turned down offers to become a bishop. He wanted to stay a friar and a preacher. He cared more about souls than about honors. He spent his time traveling, preaching, and helping others grow in faith.
Trouble and Trust in God
Not everyone liked what Bernardine said. Some people said he went too far. A few even accused him of heresy. That means they thought he was teaching something against the faith.
Bernardine went to Rome to explain himself. He met with Church leaders. They listened to him and read his sermons. In the end, they cleared his name. They said he taught the truth and did much good for the Church.
Even during hard times, Bernardine trusted God. He did not stop preaching. He stayed focused on helping people come back to God. He never lost his peace or joy.
Later in life, he got weaker and could not walk far. But he kept preaching as long as he could. He died in 1444 in the city of L’Aquila, just a few days after finishing a sermon.
A Saint Who Still Speaks
Bernardine was canonized in 1450, only six years after his death. This means the Church officially declared he was a saint. Many people already believed he was holy. His feast day is celebrated on May 20.
He is the patron saint of people working in public relations and advertising. This is because he used signs and symbols in his preaching. He is also the patron of those who have chest problems. He had weak lungs and preached anyway.
Many churches and schools are named after him. His symbol, the “IHS” tablet, is still seen in Catholic art and buildings. It reminds people to honor the name of Jesus.
Saint Bernardine’s simple and strong faith still teaches us today. He shows us how to speak the truth with love and how to live a life that brings others closer to God.
Daily Mass Readings
The readings for this memorial may be taken from the readings below, the Common of Pastors (for missionaries), or the readings of the day.
- First Reading – Acts 4:8-12: Peter declared that the man was healed through Jesus, the one rejected but raised by God. Only through Jesus can anyone be saved, for his name alone brings salvation.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 40: I waited for the Lord, and he heard me. I offered not sacrifice, but obedience. I proclaimed his truth with joy and spoke of his justice before all.
- Gospel – Luke 9:57-62: Jesus made it clear that following him means total commitment. Those who choose to follow must let go of past attachments and focus fully on the work of the Kingdom.
Homilies, Commentaries, and Reflections
Say the Name of Jesus
Saint Bernardine of Siena teaches us to trust in the power of Jesus’ name. He carried a simple sign with the letters “IHS” and held it up for people to see. He wanted everyone to speak the name of Jesus with love and respect. He believed that the name of Jesus brings peace and drives away fear. This is something we can remember in our own lives. When we are worried or tempted, we can say His name. When we do not know what to pray, we can say, “Jesus, help me.”
Bernardine also reminds us that words matter. He was a preacher who spoke clearly and simply. He didn’t use big words or try to impress people. He spoke the truth, and he lived what he said. He teaches us that we do not need to be famous or perfect to speak about our faith. We just need to be honest, kind, and faithful. Even our small words and actions can help others come closer to God.
He also shows us that we do not have to say yes to everything. Bernardine said no to becoming a bishop more than once. He wanted to stay focused on what he believed God was asking him to do. This is a reminder for us, too. We may be offered jobs, titles, or praise, but that does not always mean we should take them. Sometimes, staying simple and faithful is better than chasing honor.
Finally, Saint Bernardine teaches us to be brave. He kept preaching even when people tried to stop him. He did not give up, even when he was sick or tired. He trusted God and kept going. We will all face hard days. But like Bernardine, we can keep walking with Jesus, one step at a time.
Reflection Questions:
- When do I call on the name of Jesus during the day?
- How can I speak about my faith in a simple way?
- What is something I might need to say no to, in order to follow God better?
- What helps me keep going when I feel tired or discouraged?
Fueled by Purpose
Saint Bernardine of Siena didn’t waste his life. He poured himself out in service, preaching, and prayer—even with a weak voice and poor health. How? He knew what gave him energy and made those things a daily priority.
Energy isn’t just physical—it’s spiritual. It comes from doing what matters, loving others, and staying close to God. Like Bernardine, when we fill our days with what lifts us up—prayer, purpose, and service—we stop dragging through life and start living it. Make energy a priority, and watch your life come alive.
Resources
Three Catholic Reformers of the Fifteenth Century
This book shares the lives of three saints from the 1400s—Saint Vincent Ferrer, Saint Bernardine of Siena, and Saint John Capistran. They lived during a hard time in the Church, marked by confusion, division, and sin. Each one preached, prayed, and helped bring people back to God. They worked to fix problems both in the Church and in daily life. The book shows how God used them in a time of great need. Their example can help us live with faith, love, and truth when things feel uncertain or broken in our own lives.
Quotes and Social Media Graphics
Questions and Answers about Saint Bernardine of Siena
Who was Saint Bernardine of Siena?
He was a Franciscan priest and preacher in Italy during the 1400s. He is known for spreading love for the name of Jesus.
What does “IHS” mean in his preaching?
“IHS” is a short form of Jesus’ name. Bernardine used it to remind people to love and honor Jesus.
When was he born?
He was born in 1380 in Massa Marittima, Italy.
What did he do before becoming a priest?
He helped care for people during a plague in Siena. After that, he joined the Franciscans.
Why did people come to hear him preach?
He spoke clearly and simply. People liked how he explained the faith in a way they could understand.
Did he write anything?
Yes, he wrote sermons and small books. He used plain words to teach about faith and daily life.
Was he ever made a bishop?
No. He was asked more than once but always said no. He wanted to stay a simple friar and preacher.
When did he die?
He died in 1444 in the city of L’Aquila.
When is his feast day?
His feast day is May 20.
What is he the patron saint of?
He is the patron saint of advertising, public speaking, and people with chest problems.
Keep Saying the Name
Saint Bernardine of Siena lived a simple life with strong faith. He did not look for fame or power. He only wanted people to know and love Jesus. He traveled from place to place, telling others to turn away from sin and to trust God.
He showed people that the name of Jesus brings peace. He held up a sign with “IHS” to remind everyone to honor that name. His preaching helped many people change their lives. He also helped other friars live better lives by calling them back to prayer and simple living.
Even when he was sick or tired, Bernardine kept going. He never gave up. He trusted God to give him the strength he needed. His life reminds us that we can do great things, even if we are weak, as long as we stay close to Jesus.
Saint Bernardine’s message is still clear today. Speak the name of Jesus with love. Live simply. Help others. Keep walking in faith.
Your Turn
Want to learn more about Saint Bernardine? Take time to read one of his short sermons or look up how he spread devotion to the name of Jesus. His life can help you grow in your own faith.
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts or experience in the comment section. Have you ever felt helped by saying the name of Jesus? What part of Saint Bernardine’s life speaks to you?
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