Venerable Bernard of Corleone

Bernardo da Corleone (born Filippo Latini, 6 February 1605 – 12 January 1667) was a Sicilian Capuchin friar. He was a cobbler like his father until the latter died and he became a violent-tempered soldier who was quick to challenge to a duel those who offended him or the causes he believed in. But one duel went too far and he almost killed his opponent; he fled to the Franciscans in Palermo where he experienced a radical conversion and repentance for his previous life. Pope John Paul II canonized him 10 June 2001. Filippo Latini was born in 1605 in Corleone as the third of six children to Leonardo and Francesca Latini; he was baptized just hours after his birth. His brothers and sisters were pious; one brother became a priest. Filippo had no formal schooling. His father was a shoemaker and Latini learned the trade from him. Leonardo was so compassionate that he opened his home to the poor to wash and to be fed. The death of his father in March 1620 prompted Filippo to continue on in his profession for a while to support his mother, but he soon left to become a soldier on 1 May 1618. He took up fencing and became quite skilled. But he possessed a boiling temper and was quick to challenge men to a duel. His single fault — according to two witnesses during the beatification trials — was that "he was quick to draw his sword at the slightest provocation". His life was not noted for its moral content and he had quite a formidable reputation for that reason. Latini was not that devout but he would defend old people and other helpless and defenseless persons against violence. He made frequent visits to a local crucifix and ensured that a lamp be kept burning before it; he was a devotee of Francis of Assisi. In the summer of 1624 he became involved in a duel which cost his opponent, the professional assassin Vito Canino, his arm.