Bernard of Quintavalle

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Bernard of Quintavalle is presented in the Franciscan Sources as the first companion of St. Francis of Assisi. Bernard is declared the "Minorum Ordinis prima plantula", the "First fruits of the Order of Minors".

Bernard was a well-to-do young man from Assisi. His family's house still stands in Assisi to this day. Bernard received his evangelical calling in the church of San Nicolò, prompted him to sell all his possessions, give them to the poor and follow Christ together with St. Francis.

After joining St. Francis, Bernard was often sent on delicate missions, especially to Bologna in 1211, and to Florence. St. Francis chose Bernard to lead the first group of friars who went to Rome to ask for the approval of the "Propositum vitae" in 1210, which was granted orally, but not in writing. St. Francis also sent Bernard and Blessed Giles of Assisi to Santiago de Compostela in 1208 during the second mission of the original friars. Bernard also accompanied St. Clare to the monastery of Sant'Angelo di Panzo. Together with Angelo Tancredi, Br. Leo of Assisi and Br. Rufino of Assisi, Bernard remained close to Francis, especially during the last two years of Francis' life. St. Francis imparted a special blessing to him, although Thomas of Celano reserves this blessing to brother Br. Elias. Bernard died around about 1241 and is buried close to the tomb of St. Francis in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.


[edit] references

  • 1 Cel 24; Letter of Greccio; 2 Cel 48; 2 Cel 109; Proc 12
  • LegMaj III,3; L3S 46; LegPer 107; SpecPerf 36; L3S 38-40
  • 1 Cel 15; L3S 27-29; AnonPer 10-11; Fior 2, Fior 5
  • (SpecPerf 107; Fior 6)
  • 1 Cel 108
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