Bernadine of Siena

Saint Bernadine of Siena

Also known as

Bernadino of Siena
Bernardine of Siena
Bernardino of Siena

memorial
20 May

Profile

Our saint today was a Franciscan who was a gifted preacher. In fact, his preaching brought them in in droves! Thousands of listeners flocked to hear him. In addition to his preaching he put together other ways to bring people to the faith, he did dramatic rituals and reenactments and had those who attended actively participate. “Here Guido, put on this dress…you’re Mary Magdalene in this scene.” These invariably ended in weeping, wringing hands, bonfires of vanities, and exorcisms. His preaching visits would often culminate in mass reconciliations, as listeners were persuaded to exchange the bacio di pace, or kiss of peace. He was a famous peacemaker among the different factions in the wild and wooly Renaissance. Because of this he has become associated with all areas of speaking, advertising, public relations, etc.

He felt that many of our problems in inter relationships particularly in close urban settings is malicious gossip, which led to insults, and, too often, vendetta by aggressive males. Probably very true today.

As an aside, as is fitting with a guy who is into public relations, Bernie was big into trademarks and branding. He popularized the insignia: “IHS” or “JHS” as a symbol for Jesus. He did not invent the sign he just popularized it. From the third century the various names of our Savior are sometimes shortened, in Christian inscriptions. This goes back to the Old Testament when the Hebrews would not inscribe or speak the name of the Almighty and often abbreviate it with the tetragrammaton, YHWH. The IHS or sometimes JHS are the first three letters in the name “Jesus” in Greek. It does not stand for “In His Service” as some think. The IHS image became so popular that Bernardine helped a former gambler make a living by selling copies of it. Demand was so high for this simple piece of sacred art that the man made a small fortune!

Another big insignia, not really associated with our saint today, is the Chi Rho that’s the P and the X superimposed on one another you see in church. Chi and Rho are the first two letters in the word “Christ” in Greek "Χριστός". It is said that God instructed Constantine the Great to inscribe the Chi Rho on his army’s shields, and in this sign he shall be victorious….”In hoc signo, vinces,” just like is says on a Pall Mall cigarette package. He was not told to have the Greeks wear those dopey hats though...that's all their idea.

Anyhoo, I digress…….

Born
1380 at Massa di Carrara, Italy

Died
1444 at Aquila, Italy of natural causes

Patronage
advertisers
advertising
against hoarseness
chest problems
communications personnel
compulsive gambling
gambling addicts
lung problems
lungs
public relations personnel
public relations work
respiratory problems
uncontrolled gambling

Representation
short, elderly Franciscan holding a tablet inscribed IHS
short, elderly Franciscan with three mitres at his feet representing the bishoprics he rejected
sun inscribed IHS
tablet inscribed IHS