Bernard of Menthon
Bernard of Menthon ( Bernard of Aosta and also Bernard of Mont Joux; * 983 (or 923 ) in Menthon -Saint -Bernard, † June 15, 1081 (or 1086 ), according to some sources on May 28, 1007 or 1008 in Novara ) is a saint of the Catholic Church since 1923 and patron saint of the inhabitants of the Alps and mountaineers. Bernard of Menthon founded the hospice on the Great St. Bernard, one of the first institutions dedicated to the rescue of mountain rescue.
Life
Bernhard was a descendant of a noble family and related to the Burgundian Queen Ermengarde. He studied philosophy in Paris and law. His father, Richard Knight of Menthon had the right to betroth him noble. However, the did not want to obey Bernhard and fled to Aosta archdeacon Peter. Bernhard was ordained a priest and appointed by him as his successor. Bernhard appeared as a traveling preacher in the Aosta Valley and the Diocese of Novara.
Bernard of Menthon founded in 1050 the hospice on the Great St. Bernard; some time later the on the Little St. Bernard. Reason for this was that the crossing of the Alps of Mont Joux between the Valais and the Aosta Valley was dangerous but was nevertheless used by many travelers and also many pilgrims.
Bernhard tried in April 1081 in Pavia, Emperor Henry IV hold of his fight against Pope Gregory VII. Henry wanted to depose Pope Gregory and his place Clement III. bring to the throne. On the way back from Pavia Bernard of Menthon died in Novara. His grave is in the local cathedral.
Bernhard became famous by the eponymous rescue dogs, St. Bernards. Even then put a monks trained dogs as helpers and bred them for independent dog breed since the mid 17th century on.
Afterlife
Bernard of Menthon was worshiped in the 12th century throughout the Piedmont as a saint. In 1123, Bishop Richard Novara declared him as sacred. Officially canonized and was incorporated into the Roman Martyrology Bernhard but only in the year 1681 by Pope Innocent XI.
Pope Pius XI. appointed Bernard of Menthon in 1923 Patron of inhabitants of the Alps and mountaineers. To this end, Pius issued on 20 August 1923 apostolic message to the Bishop of Annecy on the veneration of Saint Bernard of Menthon:
" In order to increase the devotion of so great a man, he has enjoyed uninterrupted until now at the Alpine residents from the beginning with the fullness of apostolic power, we want to explain the St. Bernard of Menthon as a heavenly patron, not only for the inhabitants of the Alps but also for all those who worship the mountain sports. Truly, of all the activities in which a respectable recovery is sought, is not beneficial as this for mental and physical freshness, only recklessness must be avoided. When you climb namely up by hard work and effort, where the air is thin and pure, so renew itself and grow strong on the one hand, the forces on the other hand the man enduring is also in the most serious duties of life, as he learns to brave all dangers eye to look. When looking at the infinity and beauty of magic pictures that open up, our soul rises slightly boosted to God, the creator and Lord of nature. "
Make use of the Tyrolean mountain rescue team carry his picture occasionally on their club flags.