Blessed Bernardine of Feltre
Also known as
- Bernardino of Feltre
- Bernardino of the Pawn Shops
- Martin Tomitani
Profile
Born to the nobility, the eldest of nine children, he grew up with a speech impediment. After hearing Saint James of the Marches preach at Padua, Italy during Lent in 1456, he felt a call to the religious life. Joined the Order of Friars Minor in May 1456. Teacher. Studied at Mantua, Italy. Ordained in 1463. His speech impediment miraculously cured, and he became a travelling preacher throughout Italy, noted for his fiery sermons against usury. He organized more than thirty monti di pietá throughout Italy to give people an alternative to high-interest lenders.
Born
- 28 September 1494 of natural causes
- 13 April 1654 by Pope Innocent X (cultus confirmed)
- 1728 by Pope Benedict XIII (beatified)
- green hill of three mounds, with a cross on each
- man holding monte di pietà, that is, a little green hill composed of three mounds and on the top either a cross or a standard with the inscription: Curam illius habe
MLA Citation
- “Blessed Bernardine of Feltre“. CatholicSaints.Info. 23 January 2018. Web. 19 December 2018. <>