Also known as
    Bernadino
    Bernardine of Siena
    Bernardino

Memorial
    20 May

Profile
    Friar Minor. Priest. Itinerent preacher. Theological writer. His preaching skills were so great, and the conversions so numerous, that he has become associated with all areas of speaking, advertising, public relations, etc.

    Bernardino's charismatic preaching filled the piazze of Italian cities. Thousands of listeners flocked to hear him and to participate in dramatic rituals, which included collective weeping, bonfires of vanities, and exorcisms. He was a renowned peacemaker, in the Franciscan tradition, who tried to calm feuding clans and factions in the turbulent political world of the Renaissance. His preaching visits would often culminate in mass reconciliations, as listeners were persuaded to exchange the bacio di pace, or kiss of peace.

    Bernardino was sensitive to the demands of secular life, and tried to negotiate between Christian ethics and a conflicting code of honor that stressed retaining face in a public world. He argued that the catalyst of civil discord in the urban setting was malicious gossip, which led to insults, and, too often, vendetta by aggressive males. His surprising allies in his peacekeeping mission were the women who comprised the majority of his audience.

Born
    1380 at Massa di Carrara, Italy

Died
    1444 at Aquila, Italy

Patronage
    advertisers
    advertising
    against hoarseness
    Aquila, Italy
    Castelspina, Alessandria, Italy
    chest problems
    communications personnel
    compulsive gambling
    San Bernardino, California, diocese of
    gambling addicts
    Italy
    lung problems
    lungs
    public relations personnel
    public relations work
    respiratory problems
    Trevignano Romano, Italy
    uncontrolled gambling