Saint of the Day for 2 July: St. Bernardino Realino
St. Bernardino Realino: Life, Mission and Miracles of the Jesuit Priest
Name
St. Bernardino Realino
Title
Priest
Baptismal name
Bernardino Realino
Birth
Dec. 1, 1530, Carpi
Death
July 2, 1616, Lecce
Recurrence
2 July
Martyrology
2004 edition
Canonization
1947, Rome, Pope Pius XII
Prayer
O Blessed Bernardino Realino, we praise the Lord for the copious gifts of nature and grace, whereby He willed to enrich you during your mortal life; but we admire above all the precious account that you made of them, by abandoning every most beautiful hope of earthly honors in order to consecrate yourself entirely to the greater divine glory alone, in the Society of Jesus and to the good of souls, which, cultivated by you in great numbers, bore abundant fruit of every most chosen virtue. From the heavenly homeland where you are, O Blessed One, please remember us with whom you shared the earthly homeland. Obtain from God, therefore, that we also serve him with that generosity of heart, of which you were a model. Obtain for us the spirit of fervor in the practice and defense of this holy religion of ours, so much now fought against by the sad, neglected by the slothful, and misrepresented by the, overweening love of the things of the world of the flesh. So be it.
Roman Martyrology
In Lecce, St. Bernardino Realino, a priest of the Society of Jesus, who shone for charity and goodness and, having rejected worldly honors, devoted himself to the pastoral care of prisoners and the sick and to the ministry of word and penance.
The Saint and Mission
Saint Bernardino Realino, a 16th century Jesuit priest, dedicated his life to a mission of education, pastoral care and personal sanctification. Born in Carpi, Italy, in 1530, Bernardino initially studied law and worked as a lawyer before feeling the call to the priesthood. He entered the Society of Jesus and was ordained a priest, beginning a mission that would touch countless lives. As a priest, Bernardino was assigned to various Italian cities, but his most significant work occurred in Lecce, where he served for over forty years. Here, his mission manifested itself mainly through the education and spiritual formation of young people. He founded schools and colleges, promoting education based on Christian values and academic excellence. His passion for teaching and spiritual guidance helped raise a generation of young people dedicated to faith and service. Bernardino Realino was known for his dedication to confession and spiritual direction. He spent hours in the confessional, offering advice, consolation and forgiveness to anyone who sought his guidance. His ability to listen and understand people’s suffering made him a much sought after and loved confessor. His life was also characterized by a profound love for the Eucharist and prayer. Bernardino spent long hours in adoration, finding in it the strength and inspiration for his ministry. His example of piety and devotion attracted many people to faith and religious practice. Saint Bernardino Realino is remembered for his tireless commitment to education and pastoral care, his profound prayer life and his love for the Eucharist. His mission continues to inspire priests and lay people to live their service to God and others with dedication and love. His life is a shining example of how faith and mission can transform a community and leave a lasting legacy.
The Saint and Mercy
Saint Bernardino Realino is a living example of Christian mercy, manifested through his life of service and compassion. His deep empathy and ability to understand the suffering of others made him a much loved and respected confessor. Bernardino spent long hours in the confessional, offering not only sacramental forgiveness but also words of comfort and hope. His mercy was also seen in his commitment to the education of young people. He founded schools and colleges, dedicating himself with passion to the integral education of students. He believed that education should be accessible to all and was committed to ensuring that every young person received not only an academic education but also spiritual guidance. This compassionate approach helped raise generations of young people with solid Christian values and a strong sense of social responsibility. Bernardino was known for his availability to anyone who needed help, regardless of their social status. His home was always open to the poor and needy, and he often shared what little he had with those less fortunate. His ability to see Christ in every person pushed him to treat everyone with dignity and respect, embodying divine mercy in his every gesture. His devotion to the Eucharist and to prayer was the source of his strength and his mercy. Bernardino found inspiration for his ministry in Eucharistic adoration, and his example of piety profoundly influenced everyone who met him. San Bernardino Realino teaches us that mercy is a daily act of love and service towards others. His life inspires us to be more compassionate and to always seek to alleviate the suffering of others, living our faith with humility and dedication. His legacy of mercy continues to inspire and guide, reminding us of the importance of treating every person with the love and compassion of Christ.
Hagiography
He was born in Carpi, a charming town in the Modena area, in 1530 to Francesco Realino and Elisabetta Bellentoni. His mother took care to give her Bernardino a good education. She taught him to recite the Rosary when he was still a child. He turned out to be a young man of lively wit and charitable heart. As a student in Modena he had his first sad experience of the corruptness of the student environment. He was in danger of leveling himself with the conduct of most, but he realized in time and was able to overcome. Later from Modena he went on to the faculty of medicine in the University of Bologna….