Saint Who?
Saints Who Took Detours in Life
Saint Bernard of Corleone
Religious († 1667) Feast: January 12
Philip Latini was a shoemaker in the town of Corleone, but he was also an excellent swordsman. Unfortunately, he had developed his skills with the sword through many misadventures. After he got into a fight with the local police and wounded an officer, he ran to the nearest church and begged for sanctuary. For the next several days, he was protected from his pursuers but was unable to leave the church building. Gradually he came to the realization that he had been endangering both his life and his soul through his actions. He asked permission to enter the Capuchin Franciscans as a religious brother, and they agreed.
After taking the name Bernard, he devoted himself to atoning for his past sins. He fasted, spent long nights in prayer, and practiced severe physical mortifications. Over time, he received mystical gifts, such as ecstasies in prayer, levitation, and prophecy.
But Brother Bernard also became famous throughout the countryside for his love of animals. He felt compassion for sick animals, whom he pointed out could not ask for help or explain their symptoms. As he prayed for them, many were healed. Eventually crowds of people daily came to his monastery with their animals, and, according to witnesses, he healed them all.
Creator God, by your grace, may we bring healing
to all creation.
