Post #5925

SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA, CONFESSOR Bernardine, born in Massa Marittima on the 8th of September 1380 from the noble Sienese family of the Albizzeschi, gave not obscure signs of sanctity from his childhood; in fact, educated with great care by his pious relatives, heedless of childish games, he saw himself among the first studies of grammar devoting himself to works of piety, fasting, prayer, and above all to the cult of the most blessed Virgin. His charity towards the poor was admirable. Later, towards the age of 18, in order to practice all these things better, he wanted to be enrolled in the number of servants of God in the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala in Siena, from which many illustrious personalities came out for holiness. There, the care of the sick, during a plague that raged cruelly, gave him the opportunity to mortify his body and to exercise an incredible charity.