July 3 Bernardino Realino, SJ b. 1530 d. 1616 c. 1947

Thommy and John

good morning
i love you

after a high school of Jesuit focus; two years in the novititate, a lifetime since doing the daily saint thing, Bernardino Realino did not ring a bell when i discovered him this evening. we are always meeting new people.

Bernardino led an active early life. now what do you think that alludes to? sometimes with get the salacious details, this time not. if you're interested, look him up in another source. as with any jesuit [i wonder how much of my bio is preserved in some jesuit library?], you can be sure that we have extensive documented history on Bernardino Realino, sj. mayor of Felizzano, Italy, a judge, mayor of Cassine, mayor of Castelleone, superintendent of fiefs in Naples. the kind of big wig the Jesuits would appeal to in their nascent order.

Bernardino Realino was lawyer before joining the jesuits at age 34. Frank Parker, a classmate of mine at shadowbrook, was a lawyer, professor at BC, and definitely at least thirty four when he became a novice. he played pretty good ping pong and wicked bridge. definitely smarter than the average bear!

Bernardino Realino was accepted into the Society in 1564 by one of Ignatius's original companions... pedigree does matter, yes? someone who knew Ignatius could certainly find in a 34 y.o. lawyer who'd lived an active life, a vocation for the jesuits.... he was ordained n 1567 [not the usual thirteen years of formation.... the order was still evolving ...]

He was novice master and Bernardino Realino worked ten years in parish work in Naples - holy. a fiery speaker/preacher. helping the sick and the poor.

and at the peak, or so it might seem, of his service, he was sent to Lecci, in southern Italy to teach and later be the rector at a college. obedience.... he quickly became the most loved man in Lecci - charitable, serving the poor.... a miracle among the galley slaves was that his wine sack would not be empty until all had their fill.... :) how do we give and give and give until those who need us have enough? we have infinite resources, the grace in our souls. are we giving the way we should. [i'm not. ora pro me.]

on his death bed, the city fathers asked him to be the city's patron saint. he agreed....

some of our saints lead a remarkable life - yet an ordinary life of dedication - to Jesus, to Church, to the poor, in service to whomever comes to us with a need.... thus, we too become saints when we pour out our wine, knowing that our sack will never be empty until all have had enough....

i love you
dad