Bernardo Tolomei

Saint Bernardo Tolomei was born on May 10, 1272, in Siena, Tuscany, into a noble family. Educated by his Dominican uncle, he longed for the religious life, yet family opposition kept him in secular studies. Gifted in philosophy, mathematics, and law, he became a professor at the University of Siena and served his city in high civic offices. In time he was struck with blindness, and, after recovering his sight through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he resolved to give himself wholly to God. In 1313 he withdrew with two companions to Accona, taking the name Bernardo out of love for Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. There they embraced a life of prayer, silence, and penance. From this beginning arose the Olivetans, the Congregation of the Blessed Virgin of Monte Oliveto, following the Rule of Saint Benedict and marked by a special Marian devotion and their white habit. During the plague of 1348, Bernardo left solitude to care for the sick in Siena, dying in charity on August 20, 1348. He is honored as patron of the Contrada Priora della Civetta. His feast day is August 20.