St. Bernard of Corleone | AirMaria.com

From Swordfighter to Saint: Bernard of Corleone

Sr. JosephMary f.t.i. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:10:05 +0000

Ave Maria Meditations

From the swashbucklers garrisoned in his hometown in Sicily, the young Philip Latini learned a dubious skill that was immensely popular in the 17th century: swordsmanship. Indeed, he acquired the reputation of being the best blade in Sicily…

But mortally wounding his opponent after being challenged to a dual,

he knew his life must change.

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ST BERNARD OF CORLEONE : Feast day is January 12th

Born in 1605 in Corleone, Italy, St. Bernard followed the footsteps of his father and became a cobbler. But he also was enamored by the soldiers stationed nearby. From them he learned the art of fencing, or swordfighting. He was very good and considered ‘the one’ to beat and so he would be challenged to fights. But one fight turned deadly. Seeking sanctuary in the Franciscan Capuchin church, where he remained for a week, he had time to take stock of his life. Conversion ensued and he decided to join the Franciscans and become a lay brother in the order. And so Philip Latini became Brother Bernard in 1632.

The way in which Brother Bernard strove particularly to make amends for his violence towards others was in directing his violence against himself. He led a most penitential life as a Franciscan. But along with his stern self-discipline and fasting, he advanced by giant steps in his prayer life. Many spiritual gifts were reported of him as time passed: prophecies, wonders, miracles.

Among the more unusual graces bestowed on Br. Bemard was the ability to heal animals. In a truly Franciscan spirit, he felt loving kinship with all lesser creatures. He was sad to see them in pain, for, as he said, they could not speak in order to tell human beings of their illnesses, and there were (at that time) no doctors to prescribe for them or medicines to cure them.

Because of the reputation Bernard acquired of curing animals, owners of all sorts of animals brought them to this “supernatural veterinary”. He would usually say the Our Father over them, and then lead them three times around the cross that stood in front of the Capuchin church. “He cured them all,” says a biographer.

St. Bernard cherished a special love for the Blessed Mother, and encouraged others to do the same. The Blessed Mother appeared to him and placed the Divine Child in his arms. Moreover, she gave him knowledge of the day of his death four months in advance. He died at Palermo on January 12, 1667.

His biographers stated that, attracted by the fame of his sanctity, there gathered for his burial so many people who raised their voices in praise of the deceased, that it was less a funeral cortège than a triumphal procession. Numerous miracles occurring at his grave promoted the cause of his beatification in 1767 and subsequent canonization in 2001.

God our Father, you have given us St Bernard
as a wonderful example of penance and of Christian virtues.
By the power of your Spirit make us firm in faith and effective in our work.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

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Jan 12 – Homily – Fr Joachim: Penance for Sins

apostolate — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 12:25:18 +0000

Homily #150112b ( 07min) Play – Fr. Joachim on the life of St. Bernard of Corleone who led a disorderly, violent life and then had a conversion when his wayward ways lead to dire straights. He entered the Franciscans as a lay brother to do penance for his sins which he did with the same zeal in which he formerly practiced vice.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Bernard of Corleone – Opt Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Monday 1st Week of Ordinary Time
1st: heb 1:1-6
Resp: psa 97:1-2, 6-7, 9
Gsp: mar 1:14-20

Audio (MP3)

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Authority of Christ the Lord – Jan 12 – Homily – Fr Ignatius

apostolate — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 14:50:52 +0000

Fr Ignatius gives the homily at Bloomington, IN on Jan 12, 2021, on how Christ has authority over all his creation but especially over Christians. Fr. relates this to the life of St. Bernard of Corleone, the Franciscan Saint of the day.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Bernard of Corleone – Opt Mem
Readings: Tuesday 1st Week of Ordinary Time – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011221.cfm
1st: heb 2:5-12
Resp: psa 8:2, 5, 6-7, 8-9
Gsp: mar 1:21-28

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=592&r=1360

Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/90378558559/videos/161770632057396
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/dCrBGA_IHtU

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St. Bernard of Corleone – Jan 12 – Homily – Fr Matthias

apostolate — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 13:55:00 +0000

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN on Jan 12, 2023, on the life of St. Bernard of Corleone, who was very passionate, which led him to trouble in his youth in dueling with swords until he directed this passion exclusively to God, becoming a Capuchin Franciscan, practicing great penance and virtue.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Bernard of Corleone – Opt Mem
Readings: Thursday 1st Week of Ordinary Time – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011223.cfm
1st: heb 3:7-14
Resp: psa 95:6-11
Gsp: mar 1:40-45

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=592&r=1362

Also on Facebook:
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/PdTHyAk_3SA

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St. Bernard of Corleone, How the Crucifix can be our Prayer Book – Jan 12 – Homily – Fr Matthias

apostolate — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:32:23 +0000

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jan 12, 2026, sharing how St. Bernard of Corleone, an illiterate Capuchin Franciscan, achieved profound prayer by speaking from his heart to God while meditating on the crucifix, emphasizing that books are helpful but not essential for genuine, heartfelt conversation with the Lord.

In this homily, Father commemorates St. Bernard of Corleone, a 17th-century Sicilian Franciscan lay brother who was illiterate but became a master of prayer. Despite suggestions to learn to read spiritual books, St. Bernard discerned in prayer that meditating on Christ’s passion through the crucifix was enough. Father explains that true prayer is a heart-to-heart talk with God, sharing thoughts, feelings, and resolutions inspired by the cross—whether joyful or dry. Books can aid us, but they don’t pray for us; we must open our souls fully, mess and all, to let God bring order. This affective prayer, like that of Franciscan saints and Our Lady, is what forms saints and is accessible to everyone with honest effort.

For Further Reading
Luke 2:19 – Mary ponders in heart – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?19
Luke 2:51 – Treasuring words within – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?51
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2700-2724 – Expressions of prayer – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2700.htm
St. Bernard of Corleone – Vatican – https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20010610_ber-da-corleone_en.html
Video – Bl. Bernard of Corleone – Franciscan Saint of the Day – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxpj2FgykAM

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Bernard of Corleone – Opt Mem – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_of_Corleone
Readings: Monday 1st Week of Ordinary Time – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011226.cfm
1st: 1sa 1:1-8
Resp: psa 116:12-19
Gsp: mar 1:14-20

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=592&r=1565

Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17sgq1Aoqw/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/I8_klIwrvLY

The post St. Bernard of Corleone, How the Crucifix can be our Prayer Book – Jan 12 – Homily – Fr Matthias first appeared on AirMaria.com.