BERNARDINO d'Aquila (Amici), Blessed. — Renowned Franciscan preacher and writer, born in Fossa in 1420, died at San Giuliano near L'Aquila on 22 or 27 November 1503. Leo XII approved his cult on 26 March 1828. While studying law at the University of Perugia, he was inspired to enter the cloister by a sermon of St. James of the Marches and joined the Friars Minor in 1445. He served as provincial vicar in the Abruzzi for about ten years, later becoming provincial in Dalmatia and Bosnia and procurator general of the Observance. According to Wadding, he was offered the bishopric of L'Aquila. He wrote many works, both in Latin and Italian, some of which are also of interest for the history of sacred drama; most remain unpublished.
The following were printed: *Ammonizioni del b. B. aquilano da Fossa nell'anno 1491 composte* (Venice 1572); *Funerale* (Venice 1572, a collection of 32 discourses); *Peregrinus* (Venice 1573); *Chronica Fratrum Minorum de Observantia* (ed. L. Lemmens, Rome 1902). Among the unpublished works are notable: *Centurio* (100 discourses), whose autograph is preserved in the Biblioteca di S. Marco, Venice (Z. L., LXXXIX Bess.); *De quolibet statu fidelium*, also there (Z. L., CXLIII Bess.).