Bienheureux Bernard
Scammacca
Dominicain (+ 1486)
Né à Catane, dans une
famille très riche, il connut une jeunesse déréglée dont la fortune favorisait
les plaisirs. Étourdi par eux, il se réveilla à la vie spirituelle quand, après
un duel, il se mit à réfléchir à ses folies. Devenu dominicain, il se distingua
par ses pénitences continuelles pour expier ses péchés.
Né à Catane en Sicile,
Bernard de Scammacca se livra d'abord à une vie de plaisirs et de débauches.
Mais Dieu ne refuse jamais la conversion d'un pêcheur que sa grâce poursuit.
Bernard revint de ses égarements et entra dans l'Ordre des dominicains, se
livrant à des œuvres d'une pénitence effrayante. C'était l'époque des
"flagellants" en Allemagne et de Savonarole à Florence. En 1825, le
pape Léon XII approuva le culte qui lui était rendu chez les Frères Prêcheurs.
À Catane en Sicile, l’an
1487, le bienheureux Bernard Scammacca, prêtre. Après une jeunesse dissolue et
un duel où il fut grièvement blessé, il se convertit, entra dans l’Ordre des
Prêcheurs et ne cessa de pleurer les fautes de sa jeunesse dans l’observance
rigoureuse de la Règle et dans la pénitence.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/5716/Bienheureux-Bernard-Scammacca.html
Tableau
et châsse du
bienheureux dans l'église Saint-Dominique de Catane
Profile
Born to a wealthy and
pious family, Bernard was well educated,
but spent a wild and dissolute youth.
During one of his revels he received a leg wound in a duel. His recovery gave
him time to think, and the young man realized that he was headed in the wrong
direction. As he was healed, Bernard renewed his life in the Church and
then joined the Dominicans in Catania in 1452.
Noted for his charitable works,
his life of repentance for his earlier ways, his strict adherence to the rules
of his Order,
and his devotion to contemplation of Christ’s Passion, which would sometimes
send him into ecstacies. Founded a hospital for
the poor.
A gifted preacher,
he preferred to spend his time in the confessional and
working as a spiritual director. Had the gift of prophecy, and used it to warn
people to change their lives; prophesied the date of his own death.
Legend says that when
Bernard walked in the gardens of
his monastery, birds would
come down to sing to him, but would stop when he went into prayer.
Once when a porter was
sent to Bernard’s room to fetch him, the man saw a bright light shining under
the door, and when he peeked in he saw a beautiful child who
was shining with light and holding a book from
which Bernard was reading.
Born
11
January 1487 of
natural causes
fifteen years after
his death he
appeared in a vision to the prior in Catania and
asked that his remains be moved to the house’s rosary chapel
during this movement a
man was cured of paralysis by
touching the relics
1825 by Pope Leo
XII (cultus
confirmed)
Additional
Information
Roman Martyrology
Saints
and Saintly Dominicans, by Blessed Hyacinthe-Marie
Cormier, O.P.
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
Short
Lives of the Dominican Saints
Stars
in Saint Dominic’s Crown, by Father Thomas
Austin Dyson
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
video
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
nettsteder
i norsk
MLA
Citation
“Blessed Bernard
Scammacca“. CatholicSaints.Info. 12 February 2026. Web. 3 September 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-bernard-scammacca/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-bernard-scammacca/
Blessed Bernard
Scammacca, OP (AC)
Born in Catania, Sicily;
died 1486; cultus approved 1825. Born of wealthy and pious parents, Bernard was
given a good education. In spite of this good training, he spent a careless
youth. Only after he was badly injured in a duel was he brought back to his
senses. His long convalescence gave him plenty of time to think, and once he
was able to go out of the house, he went to the Dominican convent of Catania
and begged to be admitted to the order.
Bernard, as a religious,
was the exact opposite of what he had been as a young man. Now he made no
effort to obtain the things he had valued all his life, but spent his time in
prayer, solitude, and continual penance. There is little recorded of his life,
except that he kept the rule meticulously, and that he was particularly kind to
sinners in the confessional. Apparently, he did not attain fame as a preacher,
but was content to spend his time in the work of the confessional and the
private direction of souls.
One legend pictures
Bernard as having great power over birds and animals. When he walked outside in
the gardens, praying, the birds would flutter down around him, singing; but as
soon as he went into ecstasy, they kept still, for fear they would disturb him.
Once, the porter was sent to Bernard's room to call him, and saw a bright light
shining under the door. Peeking through the keyhole, he saw a beautiful child
shining with light and holding a book, from which Bernard was reading. He
hurried to get the prior to see the marvel.
Bernard had the gift of prophecy,
which he used on several occasions to try warning people to amend their lives.
He prophesied his own death. Fifteen years after his death, he appeared to the
prior, telling his to transfer his remains to the Rosary chapel. During this
translation, a man was cured of paralysis by touching the relics (Benedictines,
Dorcy).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0216.shtml
Saints and
Saintly Dominicans – 9 February
Blessed Bernard
of Scammaca, O.P.
After a very pious and promising
childhood, Blessed Bernard fell
into grave disorders in his youth, and even the remorse which tormented him did
not convert his soul. A serious wound in his leg obliged him to cease his
irregular life and was the means employed by God to bring him to a better mind.
Cast down to the earth like Saint Paul, he consecrated himself to the Order of
Saint Dominic, and after severe penance he became a model of regularity. When
praying in the garden the birds came flying about him and perched on his hands
and shoulders. One night when the brother porter came to call him to an errand
of charity, he found Blessed Bernard in ecstasy, holding a book which a
beautiful child lighted up with a torch. In this way God sometimes, not content
with restoring repentant sinners to his full friendship, even treats them with
a special preference, so as almost to make innocent souls jealous, if there
were such a thing as jealousy among the saints (1486).
At the translation of his relics,
a gentleman of the neighborhood who contemptuously said: “Let us go and see
this so-called saint whom the Friars have recently been trying to pass off on
us,” fell from his horse and broke his leg, but on making amends to the blessed
he was completely cured.
Prayer
“Purify me, O my God, and
I shall be as white as snow.”
Practice
Lower your eyes modestly
in a spirit of compunction and at the remembrance of your sins, or raise them
with contrition and confidence towards your crucifix.
– taken from the
book Saints
and Saintly Dominicans, by Blessed Hyacinthe-Marie
Cormier, O.P.
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saints-and-saintly-dominicans-9-february/
Stars
in Saint Dominic’s Crown – Blessed Bernard Scammacca
Blessed Bernard Scammacca
was born in the beginning of the fifteenth century at Catania, a city situated
at the foot of the volcano of Mount Etna in Sicily.
He had the good fortune
to receive a truly Christian education, for he came of parents as pious as they
were noble. But when he began to grow up he forgot the religious teaching he
had received in his youth, and let himself be drawn away from the path of piety
by the seductions of society, letting loose the rein to all his evil passions.
Yet although he blindly plunged into every sinful amusement and pleasure, the
mercy of God rewarded him with pity. Struck by the hand of God, like another
Saint Paul, he arose to become a vase of election for the glory of God and for
an example to His people. He received a serious wound and was forced, for a
time at least, to interrupt the course of his disorderly life. During the long
days and sleepless nights to which his accident condemned him, he began to
reflect on the evil state of his soul. He saw the danger he was in. The pious
lessons of his childhood came back to his mind, and suddenly moved by divine
grace, strong and sweet, he felt a better will arise in his soul, and resolved
to give himself unreservedly to God by entering a religious order. Restored to
health he lost no time in carrying out his holy intention. He did not feel
content with merely endeavoring to avoid sin, like so many who are converted
from wickedness, but with generous ardor he aspired to the perfect life, and
without delay humbly asked to be allowed to enter as a novice in the Dominican
Monastery in Catania. His petition was duly granted and the habit conferred
upon him. It was soon seen that his conversion was genuine, and so solid that
it led him to love with his whole heart the austere life of the order he had
chosen. Emulating the virtues of the most perfect among the religious of the
monastery he soon began to excel them. He was remarkable for true obedience,
sweetness of character and manners, but especially for his unfeigned humility.
Like the thirty years of
the human life of our Divine Lord in the holy house of Nazareth, his life
passed away almost unrecorded. He lived and died a good religious; said Mass,
preached, heard confessions; in a word fulfilled the holy duties of his state
of life in a holy manner. But when we reflect on his conversion to God in his
youth we can conceive how zealous he was for the conversion of sinners, and
what pains he took to lead them to a better life. The mercy God had shown him
taught him to be patient with those, who, although they had wandered away from
God, earnestly sought to be reconciled to Him.
A man of prayer. Blessed
Bernard was so filled with love for God, and so deeply penetrated with
gratitude to Him, that he was almost continually in profound contemplation. He
gave full play to the ardor of his love, and often retired into the quiet
monastery garden, which he found conducive to prayer. No sooner had he begun to
commune with his Creator, than the birds flew around him, perching on his hands
and shoulders. And the sweet sounds of their songs reminded him of the joyous
melodies of heaven and the songs of the saints around the throne of God. The
birds hushed their voices as his blessed soul, leaving his mortal frame, became
united to God in deep contemplation. They remained near him until returning to
himself again he gave them his blessing, upon which they flew away.
He once fell into an
ecstasy, when a religious going to speak to him, found him kneeling in prayer
before a crucifix, his body raised from the ground. Another night Blessed
Bernard was called out of the monastery on an errand of charity. The brother
porter, going to his door and rapping at it received no answer. But seeing a
bright light streaming out of a chink in the door, he peeped in and saw Blessed
Bernard holding an open book in his hand, ravished in ecstasy, and near him he
saw a beautiful child, holding a flaming torch, which emitted a brilliant
light. Surprised at what he saw the good brother ran to the Prior’s cell, to
tell him what was taking place. The Prior called the whole community to show
them so extraordinary a sight, and to make known to them what favors God in His
goodness, bestows on truly humble and penitent souls.
God granted everything
Blessed Bernard prayed for, and to aid him in his efforts to save souls gave
him the gift of prophecy. He went one day to the residence of the President of
Catania to warn him that his son was in danger of assassination. The president
was at dinner when Blessed Bernard asked to see him. Waiting until the dinner
was over. Blessed Bernard began to pray, and fell into an ecstasy, and it was
with great difficulty that the president’s servant could restore him to
himself. “It is quite useless,” he said, “there is no longer any need to speak
to him,” and he went away without any explanation except that the young man
would die that evening, which came to pass.
A lady who was
unceasingly pursued by a libertine, asked Blessed Bernard to protect her
against his evil designs. One day soon after as he was on a journey with a
fellow Dominican, he suddenly began to pray, then ceased for a moment, sighed
heavily and said, “Brother! let us return to our monastery. God is about to
punish that wicked man for his obstinacy.” Three days afterwards the libertine
died an impenitent and unprovided death.
Prayer to God and charity
towards his fellow creatures occupied Blessed Bernard’s whole life. Like Saint
Paul, while he preached to others he feared that he himself was a castaway, and
imitated that great penitent in his bodily mortification. He never forgot the
sins of his youth, and strove to redeem the criminal pleasures he had wallowed
in, by severe penances. He wore an iron chain round his waist, and frequently
took the discipline.
Nothing more remains to
be told of him except that he died in the year 1486.
As soon as it was known
in Catania that he was dead a crowd gathered at the monastery to venerate his
body, for all deemed him a saint, and all were desirous to obtain a share in
his intercession with God.
Fifteen years after his
death Blessed Bernard appeared to the Prior of the monastery, and told him to
translate his body from the place where he had been buried, and to place it in
the Rosary chapel. The Prior obeyed, and it was found incorrupt. Many miracles
took place during this translation. One paralytic having touched the holy body
was cured in sight of all the people.
During the ceremonies the
church bells rang of themselves. The Count of Montegialino hearing them
suspected the fathers of a pious fraud. “Let us go and see the new saint the
Dominicans have found among themselves,” he scornfully said; but when he tried
to mount his horse, he fell and wounded his leg. The wound mortified, and the
physician fearing gangrene refused to attend him. But as soon as he repented of
his incredulity and prayed to Blessed Bernard to take pity on his sad state, he
was immediately cured.
These and other wonderful
miracles caused very great devotion to Blessed Bernard, and one nobleman
resolved to steal his body and keep it in his own castle^ One night the saint
appeared to several of the community in the dormitory, and warned them that
thieves were stealing his body. They ran to the church just in time to find a
number of armed men, who had opened the tomb, and had carried the sacred relics
as far as the church door; there they became so heavy that they could move them
no farther. When they saw the Fathers they fled, and the relics became light
again, and were carried back to their place in the Rosary chapel.
His cultus was confirmed
and approved by Pope Leo XII in 1825.
Prayer
Ant. Blessed is this
saint who trusted in the Lord; he preached the commandment of the Lord, and is
now established upon His holy mountain.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed
Bernard.
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God, who didst
mercifully bring back Blessed Bernard from the vices of the world and didst
lead him into the way of perfection, grant through his merits and intercession
that we may likewise bewail our sins and turn with pure minds unto Thee.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
MLA
Citation
Father Thomas Austin
Dyson, O.P. “Blessed
Bernard Scammacca”. Stars
in Saint Dominic’s Crown, 1897. CatholicSaints.Info.
25 June 2022. Web. 3 September 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/stars-in-saint-dominics-crown-blessed-bernard-scammacca/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/stars-in-saint-dominics-crown-blessed-bernard-scammacca/
Short
Lives of the Dominican Saints – Blessed Bernard Scammacca, Confessor
(died A.D. 1486)
Bernard Scammacca was
born of a noble family at Catania in Sicily. His youth was spent in sinful
disorders, but a wound which he received in one of his legs proved the means of
his conversion. During his long hours of suffering and sleeplessness he entered
into himself, realised the perilous condition of his soul, and resolved to
renounce his evil ways. On his recovery, he asked and received the Dominican
habit in the Convent of Catania, and henceforth devoted himself to a life of
prayer and penance. He was distinguished for his obedience and humility, and
for his gift of contemplation. When he retired into the garden to pray, as he
was fond of doing, the little birds would come and perch on his head and
outstretched arms, and there sing sweetly, filling him with the thought of the
celestial harmonies; nor would they depart until they had received his
blessing.
He was favoured with the
gift of prophecy, and many prodigies showed how dear to God was this humble and
penitent soul. Once he was found raised in the air in ecstasy before a
crucifix. On another occasion the porter knocked loudly at the door of his cell
to summon him to some ministry of charity. Receiving no answer, he was about to
repeat the summons, when he saw a brilliant light issuing through a chink in
the door, and, looking through the keyhole, he beheld the holy man in rapture,
and by his side a child of heavenly beauty, bearing a lighted torch which
filled the cell with a brilliant light.
Blessed Bernard devoted
himself with generous ardour to the relief of the bodily and spiritual needs of
his neighbours. Whilst preaching to others he failed not to expiate the sins of
his youth by the practice of severe austerities. He died A.D. i486. Fifteen
years later he appeared to the Prior of the Convent, and bade him remove his
remains to a more honourable resting-place. This was accordingly done, and the
body was found incorrupt. During the whole of the ceremony the church – bells,
untouched by mortal hands, rang out with heavenly melody. Miracles of all kinds
were worked at Blessed Bernard’s Feb. 9 tomb. A nobleman who had been cured
through his intercession resolved to remove the sacred remains to his castle,
and came by night to the Convent with a troop of armed men to carry out his
design. But the servant of God would not allow his body to be removed from the
Convent where he had lived and died. Appearing in the dormitory, he knocked at
every door, telling the Friars that violent hands were being laid on his body
in the church; and as they delayed obeying his summons, which they thought to
be only a dream, he began to ring- the great bell. Then the Brethren hurried to
the church, where they found the tomb empty, and the sacred body lying at the
door, surrounded by armed men who were vainly endeavouring to raise it from the
ground. It had miraculously become so heavy that the robbers were unable to
move it. They took to flight at the approach of the Friars, who had not the
slightest difficulty in restoring the precious remains to their resting-place.
Blessed Bernard, having
always received great veneration in Sicily, was finally beatified by Leo XII,
A.D. 1825.
Prayer
O God, who didst bring
back Blessed Bernard from the vices of the world, and didst lead him into the
way of perfection, grant, through his merits and intercession, that we likewise
may bewail our sins and may be converted with pure minds to Thee. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
MLA
Citation
A Sister of the
Congregation of Saint Catherine of Siena. “Blessed Bernard Scammacca,
Confessor”. Short
Lives of the Dominican Saints, 1901. CatholicSaints.Info.
12 February 2026. Web. 3 September 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/short-lives-of-the-dominican-saints-blessed-bernard-scammacca-confessor/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/short-lives-of-the-dominican-saints-blessed-bernard-scammacca-confessor/
Blessed Bernard Scammacca, C.O.P.
Memorial day: February 16th
Profile
Born in Catania, Sicily; died 1486; cultus approved 1825. Born of wealthy and pious parents, Bernard was given a good education. In spite of this good training, he spent a careless youth. Only after he was badly injured in a duel was he brought back to his senses. His long convalescence gave him plenty of time to think, and once he was able to go out of the house, he went to the Dominican convent of Catania and begged to be admitted to the order.
Bernard, as a religious,
was the exact opposite of what he had been as a young man. Now he made no
effort to obtain the things he had valued all his life, but spent his time in
prayer, solitude, and continual penance. There is little recorded of his life, except
that he kept the rule meticulously, and that he was particularly kind to
sinners in the confessional. Apparently, he did not attain fame as a preacher,
but was content to spend his time in the work of the confessional and the
private direction of souls.
One legend pictures
Bernard as having great power over birds and animals. When he walked outside in
the gardens, praying, the birds would flutter down around him, singing; but as
soon as he went into ecstasy, they kept still, for fear they would disturb him.
Once, the porter was sent to Bernard's room to call him, and saw a bright light
shining under the door. Peeking through the keyhole, he saw a beautiful child
shining with light and holding a book, from which Bernard was reading. He
hurried to get the prior to see the marvel.
Bernard had the gift of
prophecy, which he used on several occasions to try warning people to amend
their lives. He prophesied his own death. Fifteen years after his death, he
appeared to the prior, telling his to transfer his remains to the Rosary chapel.
During this translation, a man was cured of paralysis by touching the relics
(Benedictines, Dorcy).
Born: Catania,
Sicily (year unknown)
Died: 1486
Canonized: Leo XII
confirmed cultus in 1825
First Vespers:
Ant. Strengthen by holy
intercession, O Bernard, confessor of the Lord, those here present, have we who
are burdened with the weight of our offenses may be relieved by the glory of
thy blessedness, and may by thy guidance attain eternal rewards.
V. Pray for us, Blessed
Bernard.
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Lauds:
Ant. Well done, good and
faithful servant, because Thou has been faithful in a few things, I will set
thee over many, sayeth the Lord.
V. The just man shall
blossom like the lily.
R. And shall flourish
forever before the Lord.
Second Vespers:
Ant. I will liken him
unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock..
V. Pray for us. Blessed
Bernard.
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer:
Let us Pray: O God ,
who didst mercifully bring back Blessed Bernard from the vices of the world,
and dist lead him into the way of perfection, grant, through his merits and
intercession, that we likewise may bewail our sins and turn with pure minds
unto Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SOURCE :
http://www.willingshepherds.org/Dominican%20Saint%20February.html#Bernard
Scammacca
Bernard Scammacca O.P. (1430-1487)
Saint of the Day – 16
February – Blessed Bernard Scammacca O.P. (1430-1487) – Religious Priest,
Preacher, apostle of charity, mystic, with a gift of prophecy and a great
devotion to the Passion of Christ. Born Bernardo in 1430
in Catania, Sicily and he died on 11 January 1487 of natural causes.
Fifteen years after his death he appeared in a vision to the prior in
Catania and asked that his remains be moved to the house’s rosary
chapel, during this relocation, a man was cured of paralysis by touching
the relics. He was Beatified in 1825 by Pope Leo XII
(cultus confirmed). His body is incorrupt.
Blessed Bernard Scammacca
was born in 1430 in Catania to upper-class and pious parents.
Scammacca was
well-educated in his childhood. Despite his education he spent his
adolescence as a wild and dissolute man and during one such revel he received a
leg wound in a duel with a man with whom he had quarrelled. His
subsequent convalescence provided him with adequate time to reflect on what had
happened as well as the course his life had taken. This made him
realise that he was heading in the wrong direction and needed urgent
changes. His healing over time renewed his links to his
faith; he approached the Order of Preachers in 1452 in Catania and begged
to be admitted into their ranks.
Bl Bernard became known
for his range of charitable works and for his life of repentance for the life
he had led, as well as for his strict adherence to the rule of St
Dominic. He fostered a particular devotion to the Passion of
Christ, which sometimes led him into ecstasies. He founded a
hospital for the poor, which still exists. He also liked to spend
time in the confessional and worked as a spiritual director. He had the
gift of being a prophet and used that gift to warn others to change their lives.
He also prophesied the date of his own death.
Scammacca was named the
prior of the convent of St Dominic in Catania and later named as the prior of
the convent in Palermo. He was also made the vicar general of the
reformed Sicilian convents.
It was often said that
when he walked in his convent’s garden the birds would come and sing to him but
would stop at once when he stopped to reflect. On one occasion a
porter was sent to his room to fetch him and the man saw a bright light under a
door. He peeked in to see a child shining with light holding a book
that Scammacca was reading from.
Bl Bernard died in 1487
in Catania. In 1502 it was said that he appeared in a vision to the
prior of his convent and asked that his incorrupt remains be relocated the
house’s chapel. During the translation a man was cured of his
paralysis after he touched Scammacca’s relics.
Author: AnaStpaul
Passionate Catholic.
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This site, which is now using the Traditional Calendar, will mainly concentrate
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who move us and lead us, to where we had not expected to go.” Charles Cardinal
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all those who visit here will be abundantly blessed. Pax et bonum! View All Posts
Cattedrale di Sant'Agata. Beato Bernardo Scammacca, sacerdote dell'ordine dei frati predicatori, nato e vissuto a Catania nel XV secolo. La scultura, posta all'angolo fra piazza Duomo e via Vittorio Emanuele, è del catanese Epifanio Licata, 1896.
Beato
Bernardo Scammacca Domenicano
Catania,
1430 - 1487
Di
nobile famiglia catanese, trascorse la sua giovinezza nel lusso e nel peccato.
In seguito a una grave ferita riportata durante un duello, ispirato dalla
grazia, entrò nell'Ordine nel 1452, dove visse una vita di penitenza e di
particolare devozione alla Passione di Cristo. Zelante di carità verso il
prossimo, curò la costruzione di un ospedale, ancora esistente, e come
superiore curò la restaurazione della vita religiosa regolare.
Martirologio
Romano: A Catania, beato Bernardino Scammacca, sacerdote dell’Ordine dei
Predicatori, che si distinse in modo speciale per la misericordia verso i
bisognosi e i malati.
Il
Beato Bernardo della nobile famiglia catanese Scammacca, nacque a Catania nel
1430. Sebbene educato cristianamente, non seppe sfuggire alle insidie tese
dagli agi della vita e dalle lusinghe del mondo e alla sua inesperta
giovinezza, scivolando in una vita piena di disordini. Costretto alla
immobilità da una dolorosissima piaga a una gamba, la voce del Signore si fece
sentire al suo cuore, invitandolo a cambiare vita. Bernardo non respinse la
celeste ispirazione e ribattezzato nelle lacrime da una viva contrizione,
appena guarito, nel 1452, si presentò al convento dei Domenicani, per esservi
accolto ed abbracciarne tutte le austerità. Le sue ascese nella santità furono
mirabili, ma più mirabile ancora fu l’assoluto nascondimento in cui seppe
tenere celate tante virtù e tanti eroismi. La luce che possedeva però irradiò
al di fuori e specialmente sulle anime traviate della cui salvezza era
assetato. Fu Priore di San Domenico in Catania, poi a Palermo, ed infine
Vicario Generale dei Conventi riformati in Sicilia. Del suo beato transito, nel
1487, la storia nulla ci ha tramandato e la zona della sepoltura comune accolse
i suoi resti mortali. Solo la voce dei miracoli ruppe tanto silenzio. Si volle
allora trasportare il sacro corpo in luogo più degno, e quando si aprì la
vecchia sepoltura ne esalò un celeste profumo mentre le campane cominciarono,
da sole, a suonare a festa. Il Beato fu trovato intatto, come ancor oggi si può
ammirare nella sua urna cristallina, veneratissimo dal popolo, che sempre
ricorre a lui con fiducia. Papa Leone XII l’8 marzo 1825 ha confermato il
culto.
L'Ordine Domenicano lo ricorda il 27 gennaio.
Autore: Franco
Mariani
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/Detailed/90751.html
Bernardo
Scammacca, beato domenicano
Antonio
Scammacca nacque a Catania da nobile famiglia verso il 1430. Dopo alcuni anni
di giovanile dissipazione, nel 1452 entrò nell’Ordine prendendo il nome di fra
Bernardo. Fu tra i primi religiosi osservanti del convento di Santa Zita in
Palermo. Spiccò per zelo apostolico e per dottrina nell’insegnamento. Priore di
San Domenico in Catania e poi a Palermo, venne infine nominato Vicario generale
dei conventi riformati di Sicilia. Tommaso Schifaldo poté dire di lui: «uomo
buono, pio e modestissimo, scrutatore di tutte le coscienze».
Bernardo
porrà la sua esperienza al servizio del ministero apostolico, mostrandosi
paternamente comprensivo e compassionevole verso i peccatori e facendo della
sua preghiera un grazie costante alla misericordia divina.
La sua santità tu confermata da Dio con molteplici carismi.
Mori
a Catania nel 1487 e ivi si venera il suo corpo incorrotto. Leone XII ne
approvò e confermò il culto 1’8 marzo 1825.
SOURCE :
https://santiebeatidisicilia.wordpress.com/b/bernardo-scammacca-beato-domenicano/
Dalla via della
perdizione all’altare Beato Bernardo Scammacca o.p. Il domenicano amato dai
catanesi
Gianmaria Fulco, laico
o.p.
Ogni anno il quattro
febbraio, in concomitanza con i festeggiamenti di santa Agata patrona della
città, i catanesi si recano nella chiesa di San Domenico fuori le mura per
rendere omaggio al corpo incorrotto del beato Bernardo Scammacca, che è
custodito in un’urna di vetro posta sotto una mensa d’altare fin dal 1501. Si
tratta di un beato molto amato a Catania, ma poco conosciuto nel resto
d’Italia.
Nacque a Catania nel 1430 da nobile famiglia; il padre, medico, si chiamava Matteo e la madre Angela dei Rosso; al sacro fonte gli fu dato il nome di Antonio e trascorse la prima infanzia con la madre, che gli diede i primi rudimenti della fede. Ebbe la fortuna di appartenere a una famiglia dalle tradizioni cristiane che ha dato alla Chiesa tre venerabili: la venerabile Remigia Scammacca, morta nel 1662 e le venerabili Giovanna Scammacca e suor Maria Scammacca, terziarie, delle quali esistono i ritratti nel palazzo avito. Ricevette un’istruzione all’altezza della famiglia cui apparteneva.
Crescendo si rese conto, con
disappunto, delle beghe e degli antagonismi esistenti tra i nobili e tra gli
aspiranti al potere nella cosa pubblica. All’età di 17 anni, siamo nel 1447,
rivestì la carica di magistrato all’annona della sua città.
Terminato l’incarico, fu
preso da altri interessi: dotato di grande intelligenza, titoli nobiliari,
cariche e beni tali da suscitare l’invidia di tanti, ben presto si allontanò
dalle pratiche religiose e, orgoglioso della sua posizione sociale, si diede a
una vita dissipata e licenziosa, con grande disappunto dei genitori.
Questo modo di vivere
inevitabilmente gli arrecò tante inimicizie, come quella con Giovan Ferdinando
Platamone, figlio del viceré di Sicilia, con il quale ebbe un violento litigio
(1448). I due rivali ricorsero alle armi e, trattandosi di persone esperte nel
maneggio della spada, duellarono accanitamente. Entrambi furono gravemente
feriti. Scammacca ricevette una profonda ferita a una coscia, mentre il suo
avversario ebbe la peggio, ma sopravvisse. A causa del duello Antonio fu
bandito dalla città, ma non rinsavì, tornando ben presto alle vecchie
abitudini. Il suo orgoglio non accettava l’umiliazione del bando e meditava la
vendetta. Tramite l’interessamento della famiglia riuscì a ottenere da re
Alfonso la cancellazione del bando e il ritorno a Catania.
Dopo circa tre anni incontrò una giovane, di cui si innamorò perdutamente; cercò in vari modi di avvicinarla per manifestarle i suoi sentimenti, ma invano. La giovane frequentava la chiesa di Santa Maria la Grande (oggi San Domenico) e Antonio, pur di vederla, era costretto ad assistere alle varie funzioni.
Lentamente tutte le prediche
ascoltate lo portarono a riflettere sulla sua vita trascorsa, iniziando così
un’intima conversione del cuore. Da buon siciliano, focoso com’era, non si
accontentò della conversione, e decise di rinchiudersi nel convento dei
domenicani. Qui trovò il beato Pietro Geremia, allora in fama di santità, che
lo educò alla disciplina e alla preghiera.
Antonio dovette abituarsi
a rinunziare ai piaceri dei sensi e ai beni del mondo praticando l’obbedienza e
sottoponendosi a lunghi digiuni e umiliazioni. Finalmente giunse la sospirata
professione (6 febbraio 1453). Con essa rinunciò al suo ricco patrimonio in
favore dell’ospedale cittadino, mentre fece donazione di alcuni poderi ai suoi
zii.
Da ricco feudatario
divenne così un povero religioso domenicano.
Assunse il nome di
Bernardo e, destinato agli studi ecclesiastici, fu ordinato sacerdote. Così
lui, che era stato occasione di scandalo per tanti, con la parola e con
l’esempio cercò di ricondurre tante anime a Dio. Insegnò teologia nelle scuole
domenicane e dopo due anni il capitolo generale di Roma lo inviò come reggente
dello studio generale di Milano della Provincia di Lombardia. Il nostro
Bernardo, dotato di umiltà, pietà e dottrina, fu anche teologo e intelligente
maestro per tanti oltre che dalla cattedra anche dal pulpito e dal
confessionale.
Non volle, tuttavia, mai
servirsi del titolo di maestro di teologia.
Seguì un periodo in cui
si dedicò al servizio di Dio e dell’Ordine domenicano in diversi conventi.
Nell’età avanzata si fermò a Catania ove ebbe modo di far fruttare i suoi
talenti. Scammacca seppe affrontare con impegno i problemi sociali ed
ecclesiali della sua epoca interpretando lo spirito domenicano, dedicandosi
allo studio, alla preghiera, alla predicazione, ai poveri della città, agli
ammalati del suo ospedale, alla restaurazione della vita religiosa regolare.
Non ci ha lasciato opere
dottrinali, ma sappiamo che la sua predicazione fu semplice, pratica, pacata;
era esperto nel capire le umane debolezze, nello scandagliare le coscienze e
indirizzarle verso la conversione del cuore. La sua carità non ebbe confini,
ricevette da Dio il dono di scrutare nell’intimo dei cuori e di prevedere il
futuro delle persone che a lui si rivolgevano. Come confessore aveva una
speciale capacità nell’arrivare al cuore dei peccatori, a tutti sapeva
infondere la fiducia nella misericordia di Dio e durante la confessione
riusciva a rianimare le anime avvilite dalla colpa infondendo in loro nobili
sentimenti.
Era molto umile e per
questo era restio ad assumere la guida di un convento, ma per obbedienza
dovette accettare vari incarichi pur protestandosi inutile. In realtà dietro
questa umiltà c’era una persona ricca di meriti, tanto che i conventi facevano
a gara per averlo come superiore.
Scammacca fu anche priore
nel convento di Palermo e vicario generale dei conventi riformati in Sicilia,
fu varie volte priore del convento di Santa Maria la Grande e presidente
dell’ospedale cittadino, oggi ospedale Vittorio Emanuele, negli anni 1466-67,
1476, 1480 e 1482.
Nei riguardi dei suoi
religiosi fu come un padre buono dai modi semplici e retti.
Era solito indicare loro
la giusta via più con l’esempio che con la parola. Sotto di lui la Provincia di
Sicilia e i conventi ritornarono ai fasti di un tempo, tanto che nel convento
di Catania si arrivarono a contare ben 80 frati. Nel suo convento in
contemporanea furono presenti il beato Tommaso Clemente, il beato Giovanni
Falco e due futuri vescovi: Luigi Suppa, vescovo di Agrigento, il quale fu per
tre volte provinciale della Provincia domenicana di Sicilia e priore in vari
conventi, ed Eustachio Quintana (o Fontana?) di Catania, che studiò a Bologna
nel 1571, fu maestro di teologia nel 1580 e poi vescovo in Grecia nel 1604.
Si racconta che un giorno
in convento venne a mancare il pane; all’ora di pranzo gli addetti alla cucina
non sapevano come comportarsi e già qualcuno cominciava a brontolare; i frati
si rivolsero a lui, ma egli rispose che bisognava confidare nella provvidenza
di Dio. Ritornò a pregare, e Dio lo esaudì. Bussarono alla porta, non c’era
nessuno, tanto che il padre portinaio pensò allo scherzo di qualche monello ma,
ritornato in refettorio, vide sulla tavola due grandi ceste di pane. Il beato
Bernardo, prontamente avvisato, ne fu ovviamente contento.
Dai testimoni al processo
di beatificazione risulta che era solito aggirarsi per i giardini del convento
di Santa Maria la Grande per pregare, rapito dalle bellezze naturali e parlando
con gli uccelli come san Francesco, sant’Antonio di Padova, il beato Giordano
di Sassonia. I testimoni hanno anche raccontato di averlo visto più volte
sollevato da terra davanti al suo crocifisso. Una volta un confratello,
incaricato di cercarlo, non riusciva a trovarlo ma, giunto davanti alla sua
porta, vide una intensa luce che passava da sotto la soglia, si avvicinò e vide
Bernardo in estasi con un libro in mano mentre un angelo con una candela accesa
gli illuminava la stanza; il frate corse subito a chiamare il priore, e questi
a sua volta chiamò a raccolta tutti i religiosi per condividere l’avvenimento.
Questo episodio fu
immortalato in un quadro il cui originale si trova in Belgio.
La morte lo colse a
Catania alle ore 22 dell’11 gennaio 1487. Alla ferale notizia il popolo si
riversò nella chiesa di Santa Maria la Grande per l’ultimo saluto. Fu inumato
nella sepoltura comune dei frati. Ma una notte del 1501 il priore del convento,
il beato Giovanni Falco, sognò Scammacca che lo rimproverava perché il suo
corpo era sepolto senza alcun onore e venerazione: gli ordinò di dire ai frati
che questa era la volontà di Dio. A seguito di ciò i frati si riunirono e
decisero di procedere alla traslazione della salma. Mentre i frati in pompa
magna avanzavano verso il luogo della sepoltura, le campane si misero a suonare
spontaneamente: aperto il sepolcro, fu trovato il suo corpo incorrotto come se
fosse appena morto, mentre una soave fragranza si diffondeva nell’aria. Il
corpo fu trasportato nella chiesa in un’urna di legno posta sotto l’altare di
san Vincenzo Ferreri e solo successivamente, per andare incontro alle richieste
dei fedeli, fu messo in un’urna di vetro. Sopra l’altare fu posto un suo
ritratto dipinto dal Rapisarda, mentre il quadro di san Vincenzo Ferreri fu
trasferito nell’altare di fronte dove ancora si trova. Di lui si può dire che
se peccò tanto, molto di più amò.
Innumerevoli sono i
miracoli e i prodigi che si sono susseguiti per sua intercessione.
Papa Leone XII ne approvò
e confermò il culto l’8 marzo 1825.
L’Ordine domenicano lo
ricorda il 27 gennaio.
SOURCE : https://laicidomenicaniverona.blogspot.com/p/dalla-via-della-perdizione-allaltare.html
Il Beato Bernardo
Scammacca e la città di Catania
Tra XV e XVI sec. Catania era quasi capitale dell’isola, accoglieva molti forestieri; nel 1444, infatti, per opera di Alfonso il Magnanimo era sorto il “Siculorum gimanasium”, la regia-pontificia Università che godette a lungo il privilegio di essere la prima e l’unica della Sicilia. Contestualmente emersero alcune famiglie patrizie che occupavano tutte le funzioni pubbliche e acquisivano beni e privilegi. La famiglia Scammacca è una delle famiglie nobili più antiche della Sicilia. Antonio Scammacca (poi Fra Bernardo) nacque a Catania nel 1430 dal barone Matteo Scammacca del Murgo, Senatore e poi Giudice della Città, e dalla baronessa di Cerami Angela de Rossi. Negli anni giovanili, fra gli alti incarichi affidategli, ci fu quello di soprintendente all’Annona. Educato dai genitori alle virtù cristiane, tuttavia, fu dedito a dissipazioni, ubriachezze e atti vari di prepotenza. Nel 1449 fu protagonista di un feroce duello con Giovan Fernando Platamone nel quale riportò una ferita al femore di cui ne è rimasta traccia nel suo cadavere (oggi corpo incorrotto, venerato presso la chiesa del Convento di San Domenico a Catania, prodigiosamente scampato dal terremoto del 1693). Da quella rissa passarono circa tre anni nei quali iniziò a desiderare il refrigerio per le sue inquietudini ostinate e le grazie di una donna che pare frequentasse la parrocchia di santa Maria la Grande (oggi chiesa di San Domenico) fucina di frati domenicani formatori per la Sicilia e per le altre province d’Italia. In quegli anni, infatti, aveva preso avvio la riforma dei frati domenicani per la quale maestri generali e provinciali dell’Ordine auspicavano un ritorno al sincero fervore spirituale che tanto aveva caratterizzato il primo periodo della storia dei frati predicatori. Colpito dalle omelie e dalla magnanimità del palermitano fra Pietro Geremia (raffigurato mentre salva Catania da una colata lavica, nella pala d’altare di O. Sozzi esposta oggi nella chiesa di San Domenico) Antonio Scammacca si convertì e nel 1452 fu accolto nella comunità domenicana col nome di Fra Bernardo. L’anno dopo cedette tutti i suoi beni patrimoniali in favore dell’ospedale San Marco (oggi Vittorio Emanuele). Nel 1466 fra Bernardo divenne Priore del convento di Catania. Durante la peste che nel 1480 infuriò nella città etnea e in tutta la Sicilia, fu al servizio dei bisognosi senza risparmiarsi. Un fatto curioso casuale ma che può essere senz’altro preso come simbolo del legame del santo con la Città, è la data della sua morte avvenuta l’11 gennaio 1487, lo stesso giorno del terremoto apocalittico che tre secoli più tardi colpì la Sicilia orientale, nel 1693 distruggendo chiesa e convento riedificati più tardi. Ed è altresì singolare che un suo discendente sia protagonista di un aneddoto. Pare che la mattina del 10 gennaio 1693, il barone Arcaloro II Scammacca incontrasse per strada una veggente e che questa gli predicesse la distruzione di Catania che infatti avvenne alle ore 15 dell’11 gennaio 1693 ; un quadro che si conserverebbe “in casa del Cav. Guglielmo Paternò Castello di Carcaci “(cit. in G. Merode e V. Pavone, Catania.Le Origini) si riferirebbe a tale episodio. Un altro segno del legame tra Fra Bernardo e la città di Catania è la sua statua sulla balaustra della Cattedrale di Sant’Agata, tra le nove statue eseguite tra il 1897 e il 1908 che raffigurano alcuni santi e vescovi catanesi.
Diversi i miracoli annoverati nel processo di beatificazione; nel 1825, papa
Leone XIII lo proclamò Beato. Bernardo Scammacca fu il frate predicatore che
scrutava i cuori, profetizzava e convertiva i poveri e i potenti, che univa
l’amore tutto domenicano per la dottrina alla bontà e alla pietà verso il
prossimo. Fissava lo sguardo sul suo più fulgido esempio di Carità a imitazione
del Cristo: Domenico di Guzmàn, il fondatore dei frati predicatori, il
Santo che osava, nella preghiera, piangere per le anime
dannate dell’inferno.
“articolo di Laura
Napoli apparso sul quotidiano La Sicilia, il 10 gennaio 2019, pag. 20“
SOURCE : https://caterinadasienabnb.it/il-beato-bernardo-scammacca-e-la-citta-di-catania/
Den salige Bernhard
Scammacca (1430-1487)
Minnedag:
16. februar
Den salige Bernhard
Scammacca (it: Bernardo) ble født i 1430 i Catania på Sicilia i Italia. Han kom
fra en velstående og from familie. Han fikk en god utdannelse, men likevel
levde han en temmelig vill ungdomstid. Først da han ble alvorlig såret i beinet
i en duell, omvendte han seg. Hans lange rekonvalesentperiode ga ham rikelig
med muligheter til å reflektere over sin lettsindighet. Straks han var i stand
til å gå ut av huset, gikk han i 1452 til dominikanerklosteret i Catania og ba
om å bli opptatt hos dominikanerne (Ordo Fratrum Praedicatorum – OP).
Som ordensmann var
Bernhard den rake motsetning til hvordan han hadde vært som ung mann. Nå gjorde
han ingen forsøk på å oppnå de tingene han hadde satt pris på hele livet, men
tilbrakte tiden i bønn, ensomhet og konstant bot for sine tidligere onde gjerninger.
Vi mangler detaljer om hans liv, bortsett fra at han fulgte regelen
samvittighetsfullt og at han var spesielt vennlig mot syndere i skriftestolen.
Han fikk åpenbart ikke noe ry som predikant, men var tilfreds med å tilbringe
tiden i skriftestolen og med personlig åndelig veiledning.
En legende forteller at
Bernhard hadde stor makt over fugler og dyr. Når han spaserte i hagen og ba,
fløy fuglene rundt ham og sang, men straks han gikk i ekstase, ble de stille,
av frykt for at de skulle forstyrre ham. En gang ble portneren sendt til
Bernhards rom for å hente ham, og da så han et strålende lys som skinte under
døren. Da han kikket gjennom nøklehullet, så han et vakkert barn som strålte av
lys og holdt en bok som Bernhard leste fra. Han skyndte seg for å hente prioren
for at han skulle se miraklet. Han ble også sett leviterende (svevende) foran
et krusifiks.
Bernhard var prior i San
Domenico i Catania, deretter i Palermo, og til slutt ble han generalvikar for
de reformerte klostrene på Sicilia. Bernhard hadde profetiske nådegaver, og dem
brukte han ved flere anledninger for å prøve å advare folk om å forbedre sine
liv. Han forutsa sin egen død, som inntraff den 11. januar 1487 i Catania. Han
ble gravlagt med vanlig enkelhet, men det ble snart meldt om mirakler ved
graven.
Femten år etter sin død
viste han seg for prioren og ba ham om å overføre sine relikvier til
rosenkranskapellet. Da kisten ble åpnet, ble hans legeme funnet intakt. Under
denne translasjonen ble en mann kurert fra en lammelse ved å berøre relikviene,
og det ble sagt at kirkeklokkene ringte av seg selv.
En adelsmann som hadde
blitt helbredet gjennom Bernhards forbønn, la hemmelige planer om å flytte
relikviene til sitt eget slott. Fulgt av en gruppe medhjelpere brøt han seg inn
i klosteret om natten, og mens han drev og åpnet skrinet, skal Bernhard ha
vekket de sovende brødrene og bedt dem om å skynde seg til kirken. Inntrengerne
ble funnet ved kirkedøren mens de forgjeves forsøkte å løfte relikviene, som
hadde blitt mirakuløst tunge. Etter at røverne var slått på flukt, kunne
brødrene uten problemer løfte relikviene fra golvet og legge dem på plass i
skrinet.
Bernhard ble saligkåret
den 8. mars 1825 ved at hans kult ble stadfestet av pave Leo XII (1823-29).
Hans minnedag er 16. februar. Hans legeme, som fortsatt er like friskt etter
500 år, kan fortsatt ses i sognekirken San Biagio i San Domenico i Catania. Huden
er noe tørr, men fortsatt lys av farge.
Kilder:
Attwater/Cumming, Benedictines, Cruz, Index99, KIR, Infocatho,
santiebeati.it - Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden -
Opprettet: 2000-06-25 21:10 - Sist oppdatert: 2006-06-21 18:53
SOURCE : https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/bscamacc
Bernardo de Escammaca
Religioso, 11 de enerro
Presbítero Dominico
NOTA: En la
actualidad el Martirologio lo recuerda el 11 de enero, en el calendario
anterior se lo celebraba el 16 de febrero.
Martirologio Romano: En la ciudad de Catania, en Sicilia (hoy Italia),
beato Bernardo Scammacca, presbítero, de la Orden de Predicadores, que se
distinguió por su misericordia hacia los pobres y enfermos (1487).
Fecha de beatificación: León XII aprobó su culto el 8 de marzo de 1825.
Breve Biografìa
Bernardo, antes Antonio, nace en Catania (Sicilia) de familia noble el año
1430.
Después de una juventud disipada, postrado por una grave herida recibida en un
duelo y movido por la gracia divina, quiso ser inscrito entre los frailes
Predicadores el año 1452.
Se dedicó con ardor y exclusividad a Dios y se esforzó en conformarse a Cristo
crucificado, cuya pasión consideraba devotamente, por medio de una caridad
ardiente y frutos abundantes de penitencia. Fue esclarecido en la misericordia
al prójimo, especialmente con los enfermos y necesitados, para los que procuró
la edificación de un hospital, que todavía existe, con la ayuda de sus nobles
conciudadanos y que él mismo dirigió en vida. Fue de los primeros religiosos
observantes de Santa Zita de Palermo, prior de Santo Domingo en Catania y
después en Palermo y finalmente vicario general de los conventos reformados de
Sicilia, dando, por consiguiente, una extraordinaria colaboración a la
restauración de la vida regular.
Fue predicador ardoroso y llevó muchas personas a Dios. De él dijo Tomás
Schifaldo: «Hombre bueno, piadoso y modestísimo, escrutador de todas las
conciencias.» Puso su experiencia al servicio de su ministerio apostólico,
mostrándose amorosamente compasivo con los pecadores y dando gracias en su
oración por la misericordia divina.
Murió en Catania, confirmada su vida con numerosos carismas, el 11 de enero de
1487 y allí se venera su cuerpo incorrupto.
SOURCE : https://es.catholic.net/op/articulos/34876/bernardo-de-escammaca.html#modal
Beato Bernardo Scammacca, religioso presbítero
fecha de inscripción en el santoral: 11 de enero
fecha en el calendario anterior: 16 de febrero
n.: 1430 - †: 1487 - país: Italia
canonización: Conf. Culto: León XII 8 marzo 1825
hagiografía: Abel Della Costa
Elogio: En la ciudad
de Catania, en Sicilia, beato Bernardo Scammacca, presbítero de la Orden de
Predicadores, que se distinguió por su misericordia hacia los pobres y
enfermos.
Bernardo, llamado de nacimiento Antonio, nace
en Catania (Sicilia) en 1430, de familia noble. Después de una juventud
disipada, postrado por una grave herida recibida en un duelo, quiso ser
inscrito entre los frailes Predicadores el año 1452.
Se dedicó con ardor y
exclusividad a Dios y se esforzó en conformarse a Cristo crucificado, cuya
pasión consideraba devotamente, por medio de una caridad ardiente y abundante
penitencia. Fue misericordioso con el prójimo, especialmente con los enfermos y
necesitados, para los que procuró la edificación de un hospital, que todavía
existe, con la ayuda de sus conciudadanos, y que él mismo dirigió en vida. Fue
de los primeros religiosos observantes de Santa Zita de Palermo, prior de Santo
Domingo en Catania y después en Palermo y finalmente vicario general de los
conventos reformados de Sicilia, dando, por consiguiente, una extraordinaria
colaboración a la restauración de la vida regular.
Fue predicador ardoroso y
llevó muchas personas a Dios. De él dijo Tomás Schifaldo: «Hombre bueno,
piadoso y modestísimo, escrutador de todas las conciencias.». Murió en Catania,
confirmada su vida con numerosos carismas, el 11 de enero de 1487 y allí se
venera su cuerpo incorrupto. León XII aprobó su culto el 8 de marzo de 1825.
La hagiografía posterior
ha pretendido "embellecer" la santidad del beato Bernardo recurriendo
a leyendas a cual más ridícula sobre sus milagros, tanto anteriores a la muerte
como posteriores, al gusto de alguna época en que quizás se pensaba que ver
volar a un santo era un signo de elección divina, y así lo consignaban, sin
mayor respeto por la verdad, o al menos por la cordura.
Esta pequeña biografía
proviene de la síntesis de Academia
de Humanidades PP Dominicos, y se atiene a lo esencial; el Butler-Guienea,
habitualmente preferido en nuestra colección hagiográfica, trae una entrada del
santo, pero se dedica casi por completo a ironizar sobre la absurda milagrería
de los hagiográfos; recogemos, de todos modos, de allí la Bibliografía
(Butler-Guinea tomo I, pág. 356): Procter, Short Lives of the Dominican Saints,
pp. 21-23; Morder, Maitres Généraux O.P., vol. IV, p. 648; M. Coniglioni, Vita
del B. Bernardo Scammacca (1926); Taurisano, Catalogus Hagiographicus O.P., pp.
45-46.
Abel Della Costa