BERNARD of OFFIDA, Blessed. — Capuchin lay brother, born Domenico Peroni at Offida on 7 Nov. 1604, died there on 22 Aug. 1694; he was a shepherd. He entered the Capuchins at Corinaldo, received the habit on 15 Feb. 1626, and led a life of prayer and penance. He possessed the gift of infused knowledge, so that he was often consulted by scholars and princes on the most difficult problems. He was beatified by Pius VI on 25 May 1795. His feast is celebrated on 22 Aug.
BIBL.: Anon., Compendio della vita del b. B. da O., Fermo 1794; A. da Porto di Fermo, Vita del b. B. da O., ibid. 1895; Aureola Serafica, III, Quaracchi 1900, pp. 354 ff.; A. M. Latini, Elogio della filosofia del b. B. da O., Rome 1896.
Giuseppe Sanità