July 2: Saint Bernardino Realino, the "Apostle of Lecce"

Today, July 2, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Bernardino Realino (1530-1616), Jesuit priest, and apostle of God. In a society where we equate success with earthly riches and status, Saint Bernardino is an example of a rich young man who made a better choice-- he gave up everything to follow Jesus, finding his success in heaven rather than in the world.


Bernardino was born in Modena, Italy, to a noble Italian family. He grew up with riches, status, and privilege, given his family’s position within Italian society. Initially studying medicine and philosophy at university, Bernardino turned his focus to law. He worked as an accomplished lawyer, as well as tax collector, mayor, and judge for many years, earning respect and considered successful by all standards. However, despite his worldly accomplishments, he found himself unfulfilled.

During his 32nd year, Saint Bernardino was visited by a vision of Our Blessed Mother during an 8 day Jesuit retreat he participated in. Following the retreat, he wrote to his brother, “I have no desire for the honors of this world, but solely for the glory of God and the salvation of my soul.” Always having been considered an honest judge who protected the rights of the poor, Bernardino gave his entire salary and earnings to those in need. He entered the Jesuit order, requesting to be a brother, but his spiritual director encouraged him to become a priest. Ordained shortly thereafter, Bernardino became a model confessor, a sincere preacher, and a diligent teacher of the faith to the young.

Saint Bernardino continued his charity and shepherding of those that society had forgotten. He ministered to the poor, the slaves, the sick, and to prisoners. He was appointed Master of Novices, and eventually was sent to Lecce in Apulia to set up a Jesuit house and college. There he remained for 42 years, providing spiritual direction to all who interacted with him. Despite numerous attempts to re-assign the saintly director, miraculous occurrences (like storms and sickness) prevented his departure on every occasion. This led his superiors to believe it was the Will of God for him to remain in Lecce.

Saint Bernardino continued to give himself generously to all who sought his counsel—among them princes and royalty-- and the lines leading to his confessional grew ever longer. The “holy old man” served until the day of his death, at which time crowds gathered outside the Jesuit College. On his death-bed, the city mayor and magistrates formally requested Father Realino to be Lecce’s defender and protector in heaven. Unable to speak, he nodded assent, and uttered his final words: “O Madonna, mia santissima" ("O Lady, my most holy lady").

By the time of his death, Saint Bernardino was recognized as a man of great zeal and holiness. Those who had known him at once hailed him as a saint. Following his death, blood that had been collected from him while alive was observed to defy biological properties. For over a century, the blood remained liquefied, foaming and frothing on the anniversary of his death. Similarly, when his tomb was opened, the flesh of his body was found to be incorrupt, his blood frothing and emitting a sweet perfumed scent.

The life of Saint Bernardino Realino reminds us that it is never too late for a change in perspective! As a young man, Bernardino achieved great worldly success, but realized that worldly recognition and riches left him spiritually unfulfilled. He turned to the Lord, listened for His Will, and embraced a rich lifetime of service and obedience, providing necessary spiritual direction to others. On this, his feast day, we might pause to take stock of our own perspective and priorities. How do we judge success in our lives? How might that differ from the manner in which the Lord, Our God, judges success?

God, You taught Your Church to observe all the heavenly commandments in the love of God and neighbor. Help us to practice works of charity in imitation of Your Priest, Saint Bernardino, and merit to be numbered among the blessed in Your Kingdom.


Lord, we pray that we may be able to follow St. Bernardino Realino and respond to Your call, for Your glory and the salvation of our souls. St. Bernardino Realino, pray for us. Amen.



Inspired by the origins and spiritual history of the Holy Rosary, we continue our meditation on the psalms, one each day, in order, for 150 days.
Today’s Psalm: Psalm 68: God’s Triumphal Procession

17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands
and thousands of thousands;
the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
18 When you ascended on high,
you led captives in your train;
you received gifts from men,
even from the rebellious—
that you, O LORD God, might dwell there.
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
20 Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
22 The Lord says, "I will bring them from Bashan;
I will bring them from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes,
while the tongues of your dogs have their share."
24 Your procession has come into view, O God,
the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians;
with them are the maidens playing tambourines.
26 Praise God in the great congregation;
praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.
27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them,
there the great throng of Judah's princes,
and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.
28 Summon your power, O God;
show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings will bring you gifts.
30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds,
the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.
Humbled, may it bring bars of silver.
Scatter the nations who delight in war.
31 Envoys will come from Egypt;
Cush will submit herself to God.
32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord,
33 to him who rides the ancient skies above,
who thunders with mighty voice.
34 Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the skies.
35 You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God! (17-35)


Day 183 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Change of perspective; Prioritization of the Lord and His Will in our lives.
Requested Intentions: Healing of illness (P); Small business assistance, blessings on jobs, financial aid for college student (M); Financial assistance (F); For a recovery and sanctification (X); For a daughter struggling with disease and illness (T); For all lost children (I); Prosperity, health, healing, and conversion for a family (M); Health and healing of a mother (A); Healing of heart and mind (T); Healing of a new relationship before marriage (K); Healing of a relationship (T); Eternal rest for the dearly departed, end to financial struggles, successful sale of home, ability to travel on pilgrimage (L); For healing of a stomach illness (L); For the repose of the soul of a sister (C); Vocational security for family, Financial security for daughter beginning college (M); Vocational guidance, courage and strength (I); Health for an ailing nephew (A); Those suffering from depression (J); Successful adoption (S); Healing of a father battling cancer (S).
Psalm: Psalm 68: God’s Triumphal Procession