Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Close to Nature
Saint Bernard of Menthon
Priest and founder († 1008) Feast: June 15
Bernard was born into the nobility, although it’s not certain whether his family lived on the French or the Italian side of the Alps. He decided to become a priest as a young man, and he was assigned as archdeacon of the northern Italian region of Aosta. For more than forty years, he served as a missionary priest, bringing Christ and the sacraments to remote villages throughout the mountainous region of the Italian Alps. He even converted many pagans to the faith.
Over the years, Bernard often encountered pilgrims from France and Germany who were trying to cross the Alps and reach Rome. Sadly, many times he discovered travelers who were dangerously lost, frozen, stuck in deep snow, or preyed upon by bandits. As a work of mercy and with the financial support of his bishop and some wealthy donors, Bernard built two hospices at strategic mountain passes to house these travelers.
Initially Bernard’s hospices were staffed by priests and laymen, but eventually he was able to establish his own order. His Augustinian Hospitallers received all travelers in need and continued his work after his death. The dogs that helped them were, of course, named Saint Bernards in his honor.
Almighty God, show us how to reach those who are in danger or who are far away from you.
