St. Berard and Companions

The Scriptures for this feast illustrate the reasoning behind the decision that was reached by St. Berard of Corbio and the four friars, Peter, Adjutus, Accursius, and Otho to preach the Gospel to the Muslims, first in Spain and then in Morrocco.  They left Italy in 1219 with the blessing of St. Francis himself.

They tried preaching in Seville, a city in Spain that was controlled by Muslims, but they made no converts. They went on to Morocco where they preached in the marketplace. The friars were immediately apprehended and ordered to leave the country; they refused. When they began preaching again, an exasperated sultan ordered them executed. After enduring severe beatings and declining various bribes to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ, the friars were beheaded by the sultan himself on January 16, 1220.

These were the first Franciscan martyrs. When Francis heard of their deaths, he exclaimed, “Now I can truly say that I have five Friars Minor!” Their relics were brought to Portugal where a young Augustinian canon saw their bodies carried from the ship.  He was so moved by their sacrifice that he left the Augustinian canons and joined the Franciscans and set off for Morocco the next year. That young man was became known as Anthony of Padua. He became ill during the journey to Morocco and was forced to turn back.  He landed in Italy and remained there the rest of his life.  The five martyrs were canonized in 1481.

The deaths of St. Berard and his companions sparked a missionary vocation in Anthony of Padua and others. There have been many, many Franciscans who have responded to Francis’ challenge. As Jesus himself proclaimed, preaching the gospel can be fatal.  These proto-martyrs of the Franciscan Family stand before us as examples of courage in the face of danger as well as fidelity to the faith despite threats from their enemies.  Martyrs has always been regarded highly by the Church.  These five brought honor to our way of life.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator