Saint Bernadino - prayers for uncontrolled gambling

Life of Saint Bernadino (Bernardino)

Saint
of Impulsive
and
Uncontrolled Gambling













Saint Bernadino (Bernardino) was born in 1380 the son of the noble Albizeschi family in Massa Marittima (Tuscany), a Sienese town. His father was the governor. But at six years of age tragedy struck when Bernadino was left orphaned, and he was then raised by a pious aunt. 

After he had finished schooling he spent some years in the service of the sick in the hospitals including working in the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala throughout the bubonic plague outbreak of 1400, it was here he caught the plague and nearly died.

His studies in Siena also included civil and canon law. Then in 1403 this intelligent, educated young man received his calling from God. He joined the Observant branch of the Order of Friars Minor, with a strict observance of Francis' Rule. He was ordained a priest in 1404.

Saint Bernadino played an important role in the religious revival of the early fifteenth century. His preaching success was claimed to be remarkable and large crowds would gather to hear him speak. It was said that under his counsel feuds and factionalism were reconciled and that miracles took place. 

In 1427 Bernadino was summoned to Rome to stand trial on charges of heresy, he was found innocent and he impressed Pope Martin V sufficiently that the pope requested Bernadino to preach in Rome. He preached every day for 80 days. A typical sermon would last for an hour but some lasted for more than four. 
 
That same year, he declined the offer of the bishopric of Siena. In 1431, he toured Tuscany, Lombardy, Romagna, and Ancona before returning to Siena to prevent a war against Florence. 

In 1438, Bernadino was elevated to vicar-general of the Franciscan Order in Italy
but in 1442 he persuaded the pope to accept his resignation as vicar-general so
that he might continue his missionary labours and preaching. 

Bernadino’s desire was that there should be no part of Italy which had not heard him preach, so in 1444 he set out to the Kingdom of Naples. He died that year at
L'Aquila, in the Abruzzi. According to tradition, his grave continued to leak blood until two factions of the city achieved reconciliation.

Reports of miracles attributed to Bernadino multiplied rapidly so Pope Nicholas V canonized Bernardino only six years after his death. 

Saint Bernadino of Sienna is the patron of debtors and gamblers. He was the founder of serviceable institutions which in France and Italy are styled Moms tie
Piete. He advocated the establishment of public loan societies, where money might be lent on small pledges disinterestedly and beneficially. 

One day a man who had earned a good livelihood by carving dice and chessmen, came to him complaining that since gambling had gone out of fashion he could no longer subsist by his art. Whereupon the saint told him that if he could carve ivory tablets with the name of Jesus upon them, he would no doubt find many purchasers amongst the faithful followers of Christ. The man did so, and soon became wealthy by this new occupation.


 

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Blessed
Saint
Bernadino
pray
that
I may gain
the
strength
to
withstand
temptation.









Novena Prayers for today's Problems
Saint Bernadino prayer pack
is designed for those
who need the
Power of Prayer
to help control
impulsive gambling.


This is a Novena to
St Bernadino
who used his schooling in
medicine, law and religious
studies to touch the
lives of all those who heard
him preach. He was
especially helpful to those
who faced financial hardship.


The Novena can be prayed
over nine hours (one per hour)
or over nine days (one per day).

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