St. Bertrand of Aquileia

  Posted on June 7, 2019  by admin  No comments

Born: c.1260 at Saint Geniès, Quercy, Aquitaine, France

Died: 6 June 1350 at San Giogio Richionvelda, buried in Udine, Italy, relics enshrined in the Udine cathedral choir

Beatified: 1760 by Pope Clement XIII (cultus confirmation)

Studied civil and canon law at the University of Toulouse. Priest. Dean of the cathedral chapter of Angouleme, France in 1316. Canon of Saint Felice in Toulouse, France in 1318. Archdeacon of Noyon, France. Papal chaplain. Taught law at the University of Toulouse. Worked for the canonization of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Papal diplomat.

Patriarch of Aquileia, Italy on 4 July 1334. Noted for his austere lifestyle, he founded monasteries to promote learning, encouraged the work of the Benedictines, Franciscans and Dominicans, spent largely on charity for the poor, and worked for the moral reform in his diocese. Supported the olive and wool trade in his region as a way to improve the lives of his people. Convened a council of bishops in Udine, Italy in 1335, and in Aquileia in 1339. Murdered for defending the rights of the Church against local nobles, and is thus considered a martyr.