Bernard Of Corleone, Blessed

BERNARDO da CORLEONE, blessed. - Capuchin lay brother, in the world Filippo Latini, b. at Corleone on 6 Feb. 1605, d. at Castelnuovo (Palermo) on 12 Jan. 1667. In his youth he was a shoemaker and, being of Herculean strength, was regarded by all as a formidable champion. A petty nobleman of Corleone, however, by repeated provocations induced him to accept a duel: victory smiled upon Filippo, his opponent being killed by the first blow. Moved to penance and in order to escape justice, he withdrew among the Capuchins of the convent of Palermo, where he received the habit on 13 Dec. 1632. He was distinguished by assiduous prayer, penance, extraordinary charity, and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was beatified by Clement XIII on 15 May 1768. His feast is celebrated on 12 Jan.