Saint of the Day – 6 June – Saint Bertrand of Aquileia (c 1260– 1350) Martyr

Saint of the Day – 6 June – Saint Bertrand of Aquileia (c 1260– 1350) Bishop of Aquileia, Martyr, Confessor, Lawyer, Teacher, Papal Chaplain and Legate, Reformer. Apostle of the poor, Social Reformer, Founder of Monasteries and Protector of the Monks. Born in c 1260 at Saint-Geniès, Quercy, Aquitaine, France and died on 6 June 1350 by being murdered at San Giogio Richionvelda, for his stand, in protecting his people and his Diocese, against feudal rebels. Patronage – Aquileia, Italy. Also known as – Bertrando, Bertrichramnus, Bertram.

Bertrand initially practised as a Lawyer and after further studies, he was Ordained as a Priest and in 1316 became the Dean of the Cathedral Chapter of Angouleme and in 1318, a Canon of Saint Felice in Toulouse and then the Archdeacon of Noyon, France and a Papal Chaplain. At the same time, Bertrand continued to teach Law at the University of Toulouse.

Whilst compiling information for the Canonisation of St Thomas Aquinas, he was appointed as a Papal Legate.

On 4 July 1334, he was Consecrated as the Bishop of Aquileia in Italy where he ministered until his death.

As Bishop, Bertrand was noted for his austere lifestyle and works of charity for the poor. He founded Monasteries to promote learning and encouraged the work of the Benedictines, Franciscans and He worked for the moral reform in his Diocese and supported the olive and wool trade in his region, as a way to improve the lives of his people. Bertrand convened a Council of Bishops in Udine, Italy in 1335 and again, in 1339, one in Aquileia.

These Councils were followed by four Synods, in which he processed reforms in the religious life of his Diocese and established norms against the heresies which had spread in its lands.

Bertrand was also a patron of the arts – in 1334, he established the University of Cividale and restored the Udine Cathedral.

Bertrand took a strong stand against the feudal noble rebels of the region. He devoted himself to suppressing the power and the autonomies gained by the Friulian feudal lords in opposition and against the Church. They, discontented by his policies, formed an alliance against him. Bertrand, as the Papal Legate, attempted to find a diplomatic solution to their problems but once any possibility of a military victory waned, the rebels set a plot against the aged Bishop, who was assassinated by Enrico da Spilimbergo at San Giorgio della Richinvelda on 6 June 1350.

Bertrand was murdered for defending the rights of the Church and is thus considered a Martyr.

He was buried in Udine, Italy and later, his Relics were enshrined in the Undine Cathedral. Bertrand was Canonised by Pope Clement XIII in 1760 and appointed Patron of Aquileia where the Basilica is dedicated to him.