Bernardo Tolomei
Bernardo Tolomei (* 1272 in Siena, † 1348 near Siena ) is a saint of the Catholic Church and founder of the Community of Olivetans.
Life and work
He was born the son of the noble family of the Tolomei in Siena in 1272 and christened with the name Giovanni (John ). He wanted early clergyman, but studied in deference to his father first philosophy and jurisprudence. For a time he worked in the army Rudolph of Habsburg. After his return, he was active in the politics of the city of Siena and was elected to one of the highest functions of the city. At this time he became blind. According to tradition, he was awarded by the intervention of the Virgin Mary back his eyesight.
1313 he left Siena together with two friends, Patrizio Patrizi and Ambrogio Piccolomini They retreated to one of the plots of his family, according to Accona in the Diocese of Arezzo back. In honor of Bernard of Clairvaux, he assumed the monastic name Bernardo.
As more and more people joined him, he was accused by opponents of Götteslästerung. Pope John XXII. declared him innocent in Avignon. 1319 allowed him to establish an Order according to the rule of the Benedictines of the Bishop of Arezzo. In 1321 he founded the monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. 1344 was the Order of Pope Clement VI. recognized.
1348 died during a plague epidemic in Bernardo Tolomei of Siena.
Afterlife
In 1634 he was raised to the altars. His feast day was originally the August 20 ( the anniversary of Bernard of Clairvaux ) and 1680 was postponed to August 19.
The monastery of S. Maria di Monte Oliveto Maggiore became the starting point of the Olivetans Order, the Order of the "White Benedictine ." This order represents a rigidly centralized branch of the Benedictine Order dar. Among other monasteries of the Olivetans the monastery of S. Miniato is to call Florence. In 1973, the Order of Olivetans joined the Benedictines.
After the consistory of February 21, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI announced. the canonization of Tolomei, which took place in a ceremony on April 26, 2009 in Rome.