Today is Saint Berard and Companions. Born unknown. Carbio, Umbria, Papal States. Died January 16, 1220 Morocco. Preaching the gospel is often dangerous work. Leaving ones homeland and adjusting to new cultures, government and languages is difficult enough; but martyrdom caps all other sacrifices. In 1219 with the blessing of Saint Francis, Berard left Italy with Peter, Agute, Accurs, Odo and Vitalis to preach in Morocco. En route in Spain Vitalis became sick and commanded the other friars to continue the mission without him. They tried preaching in Seville, then in Muslim hands, but made no converts. They went on to Morocco where they preached in the marketplace. The Friars were immediately apprehended and ordered to leave the country; they refused. When they began preaching again, an exasperated sultan ordered them executed. After enduring severe beatings and declining various bribes to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ, the Friars were beheaded by the Sultan himself on January 16, 1220. These were the first Franciscan martyrs. When Francis heard of their death he exclaimed Now I can truly say that I have five Friars Minor!. Their relics were brought to Portugal where they prompted a young Augustinian canon to join the Franciscans and set off for Morocco the next year. That young man was Anthony of Padua. These five martyrs was canonized in 1481. 😇
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 11:33:26 +0000
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