John (Bernardo) dei Tolomei, Blessed

JOHN (Bernardo) dei Tolomei, Blessed. - Founder of the Congregation of St. Mary of Monte Oliveto, b. in Siena on 10 May 1272, from the noble Tolomei family, d. there on 20 Aug. 1348. Having earned a degree in law, he held several municipal offices, among them that of podestà, in his native city; but in 1313 he withdrew with two companions of his, Patrizio Patrizi and Ambrogio Piccolomini, to Accona (Chiusi), where he led a hermitic life, without following any particular Rule.

The flocking of other companions aroused suspicions, and G. had to give an account of his foundation to Pope John XXII, at Avignon, and to choose, in agreement with the bishop of Arezzo, a Rule from among those already existing. He chose the Benedictine Rule, but wanted the white habit instead of the black, and introduced various austerities for a greater exercise of penance. Once the monastery was built, he received from the bishop the charter of foundation and of exemption in 1319, and was its superior until his death. At his religious profession he took the name Bernard, out of devotion to the Marian saint and doctor. The plague of 1348 brought him to Siena with his monks to tend the plague-stricken; but soon, struck by the disease, he had to succumb, followed afterward by 50 other monks. The cult paid to him was confirmed by Innocent X in 1644, and his name was entered in the Roman Martyrology by Innocent XI on 6 May 1689. Feast on 21 Aug.