Bernardine of Siena

About Bernardine of Siena

Bernardine of Siena was a Franciscan preacher famous for promoting devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. He traveled throughout Italy preaching to huge crowds, often using a placard with the monogram IHS. His eloquent preaching led to mass conversions and moral reform. Bernardine reformed the Franciscan Observants, wrote theological works, and served as vicar general. Despite false accusations of heresy for his Holy Name devotion, he was vindicated. He died while preaching in 1444 and was canonized just six years later.