By Natalie Romano
It’s one thing to visit the burial place of St. Bernardine, namesake of our diocese.
It’s quite another to leave with his relic.
Yet that’s exactly what happened to Bishop Alberto Rojas during the diocese’s recent Jubilee pilgrimage to Italy.
“We were honored to celebrate Mass by his tomb in L’Aquila and the pastor gave us a relic which we will treasure,” stated Bishop Rojas. “St. Bernardine of Siena was a peacemaker and a humble servant of God who refused to become a bishop three times but finally accepted it under obedience and for the greater glory of God.”
Now, for the first time, the diocese officially has this key piece of its history. So revered was the 15th Century Italian friar that the diocese, San Bernardino County and its largest city were all named in his honor.
The process of acquiring the St. Bernardine relics came together quickly and quietly. Before the pilgrimage, diocesan leaders made a request to L’Aquila Archbishop Antonio D’Angelo but nothing was guaranteed, so nothing was announced. The 47 Catholics traveling with Bishop Rojas had no idea they might be bringing home a gift for the entire diocese.
On March 16, right before the liturgy at the Basilica of San Bernardino, Bishop Rojas was told the good news. Without giving anything away, he went on to celebrate Mass. After that, the surprise was finally revealed when the basilica’s pastor presented a first-class relic of St. Bernardine’s flesh as well as a third-class relic of cotton taken from his casket. Deacon Guadalupe Ramirez turned to his fellow pilgrims in awe.
“I could see it in their faces, they were just as excited as I was,’’ said Deacon Ramirez of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Upland. “...Then I got a little emotional…finding out we are part of a very important [historic moment] in our diocese.”
There are three different classes of Catholic relics; first class is an actual part of the saint’s body; second class is an item the saint used during his or her lifetime and third class is an object that touched the saint. All three sorts are typically placed inside in a metal and glass “reliquary” as are the newly acquired St. Bernardine relics.
Densy Chandra, who organized the pilgrimage for the diocese, thought it was important to include L’Aquila even though it’s hours away from traditional Jubilee destinations. Chandra says she attempted to visit years ago but most of the city was closed off due to earthquake repairs.
That same 2009 temblor prompted an inspection of St. Bernardine’s tomb and that’s when the relics were collected. Chandra says the wait was worth it.
“The reception was amazing,” described Chandra. “The choir of young people sang like angels…We got to see St. Bernardine’s incorrupt (well-preserved) body which is guarded in a mausoleum…[The basilica staff] took each of our names and they will be put in their history book…We felt really really special…”
When the day was over, Bishop Rojas took possession of the relics and for the remainder of the trip kept them locked in his hotel room, barring anyone from entering including maid service. He then personally carried the precious cargo home.
The latest additions bring the diocese’s total number of relics to 14, but they are not the first relics of St. Bernardine to find their way here. There is another at his namesake parish in San Bernardino which is usually housed in the sacristy. Diocese Archive Director Arlene Gutierrez says any specifics beyond that are a mystery since there is no official written documentation of the relic.
That won’t be the case this time. Gutierrez will create a detailed record for the archives and preserve the relics, when not on display, in a temperature-controlled room. The project is exciting to Gutierrez as both historian and Catholic.
“It’s such a great part of our Catholic identity,” said Gutierrez. “These saints were normal people just like you or I, but they were able to show the best of themselves. They’re an example for us, we can all become saints. That’s what we’re working towards.”
St. Bernardine joined a strict Franciscan order in 1403 and was ordained a priest just one year later. Known as an energetic and joyful preacher, he traveled throughout the country fighting paganism.
The “Apostle of Italy” was devoted to the Holy Name of Jesus and devised a monogram with a blazing sun and the letters IHS, which are the first three letters of Jesus in Greek. St. Bernardine would display the emblem at his sermons and encouraged Catholics to do the same above their front door. The IHS monogram is still seen at parishes today.
And eventually, his relics will be seen, too. Monsignor Gerard Lopez, S.T.L., Vicar General of the diocese, made the initial suggestion that the diocese seek out the artifacts and he wrote the formal request letter. He says the relics will be showcased at different parishes so the faithful can venerate St. Bernardine and pray for his intercession.
“It’s good to have a physical connection with these saints,” explained Msgr. Lopez. “It’s our human nature to want that, rather than just an intellectual mental picture. A relic is a very tangible way to remember someone.”
The diocese did not pay for the relics, but the pilgrims offered a donation in gratitude. Deacon Ramirez says he was blessed to be a witness.
“To think that a piece of the body of this wonderful saint is now part of the diocese, to see the joy and surprised expression in Bishop Rojas’s face, it all plays a part in how I felt…the whole trip has been a breathtaking experience.”
Natalie Romano is an award-winning freelance writer based in Southern California.