The Feast of Saint Bernadine Realino

Saint Bernadine Realino is the Patron Saint of Lecce, Italy (proclaimed on 15 December 1947 by Pope Pius XII)

Saint Bernadine Realino Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death, Feast Day, Beatification Date, Canonization DateMatrimony/Holy OrdersNot Married who became Saints

Saint Bernadine Realino Short life History

Saint Bernadine Realino is also known as
• Apostle of Lecce
• Bernardino Realini

Born on 1 December 1530 in Carpi, Modena, Italy to the Italian nobility. Studied law and medicine at Bologna, Italy, receiving a law degree in 1556. Mayor of Felizzano, Italy. Judge. Chief tax collector in Alessandria, Italy. Mayor of Cassine, Italy. Mayor of Castelleone, Italy. Superintendent of the fiefs of the marquis of Naples, Italy.

Following a retreat, he became a Jesuit in 1564, and was ordained in 1567. Novice master in Naples, and then was sent to found a college in Lecce, a small city in the south of Italy. He quickly became the most loved man in Lecce due to his concern and charity. He made himself appear the receiver rather than the giver, and the poor and galley slaves were his special concern. One of the more interesting miracles attributed to him concerned his small pitcher of wine which was never empty until everyone present had had enough.

On Bernadine’s death bed, the city’s magistrates formally requested that in the after-life he take the city under his patronage. Unable to speak, he nodded, and died soon after, whispering the names of Jesus and Mary.

Today’s Catholic Quote: Saint Bernadine Realino died whispering the names of Jesus and Mary