July 15 Blessed Bernard II of Baden (Bernard of Marchio, Bernard II, Margrave of Baden-Baden, Bernhard of Baden, Bernardo)
July 15 Blessed Bernard II of Baden (Bernard of Marchio, Bernard II, Margrave of Baden-Baden, Bernhard of Baden, Bernardo)
1428 - 1458.
Patronage:
Baden, Germany
Baden-Baden, Germany
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, Archdiocese of
Moncalieri, Italy
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Born to the nobility, the second son of Margrave Jacob of Baden and his wife, Catherine of Lorraine; grandson of Saint Margaret of Bavaria. Bernard II was related to the Habsburg dynasty via his older brother Karl I, who had married Catherine of Austria, a sister of Emperor Frederick III. Heir to the title Margrave of Baden, he renounced it to become the personal envoy of Emperor Frederick III.
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Bernard II saw a number of disgraceful situations and tried to alleviate hardship and poverty wherever he could. He spent most of his income assisting the poor and those in need. Even during his lifetime he impressed his contemporaries with his unusual piety.
After the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453, the imperial Habsburg family began preparing a crusade against the expanding Ottoman Empire. Bernard worked to unify the European courts behind a Crusade against the Turks. He died of the plague during one of these courtly visits.
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor Blessed Bernard II of Baden, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon him. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to him by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, Blessed Bernard II of Baden might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.