Bernard Mary of Jesus

Despite his delicate health, Father Bernard Mary of Jesus was quickly called to exercise important responsibilities within the Congregation of the Passion. He was first appointed director and teacher of Passionist students in Morrovalle (1860-1864), then novice master and rector of the sanctuary of the Scala Santa in Rome (1865-1869). From 1869 to 1878, he led the Roman province of the Passionists. In 1878, he was elected Superior General of the Congregation. He would hold this office almost without interruption for nearly thirty years, until 1907. His mandate coincided with a period of serious political tension in Italy (post-unification period) and in France, marked by laws suppressing religious orders. Faced with these persecutions, Father Bernard Mary deployed remarkable energy to preserve and restructure his institute. He did not hesitate to put his personal fortune, inherited from his noble family, at the service of the congregation to buy back confiscated convents. Under his enlightened leadership, the congregation experienced unprecedented global growth, doubling its membership (going from 750 to nearly 1,490 religious) and doubling the number of its provinces (from six to twelve). He founded numerous communities in Italy, but also in England, Ireland, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, the United States, Argentina, and Mexico. It was also under his impetus that the sanctuary of Nettuno was built, intended to house the remains of Saint Maria Goretti. For this immense work of refoundation and expansion, he is universally described as the "second founder" of the Congregation of the Passion.

In 1907, considering his task accomplished and desiring to devote himself fully to contemplation, Father Bernard Mary asked Pope Pius X to be relieved of his duties as Superior General. The Sovereign Pontiff reluctantly accepted his resignation on July 7, 1907. He first retired to the convent of Sant'Eutizio in Ferento. However, his reputation for holiness attracted many visitors, which prompted him to seek even deeper solitude. On June 16, 1911, he settled at the hermitage of Moricone, near Rome.

On December 9, 1911, while at the hermitage of Moricone, he suffered an accidental fall down the stairs and died shortly after while praying, at the age of 80.

On April 17, 1931, his mortal remains were transferred from the cemetery of Moricone to the Passionist church in the same town. During this exhumation, his body was discovered intact and perfectly preserved. It was then solemnly placed in a marble monument.

The cause for the beatification of Father Bernard Mary of Jesus was officially introduced on February 13, 1942. On October 18, 1973, Pope Paul VI promulgated the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thereby declaring him Venerable.

A miracle was subsequently attributed to his intercession. In accordance with the requirements of historical rigor, the Church formally recognized the scientifically inexplicable nature of the complete and instantaneous healing of a sick person. This miracle paved the way for his beatification.

On October 16, 1988, Pope John Paul II celebrated the beatification of Bernard Mary of Jesus in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, at the same time as that of his Passionist confrere, Father Charles of Saint Andrew Houben.

Nicknamed the "Living Rule" by his contemporaries due to his perfect observance of the order's constitutions, Blessed Bernard Mary of Jesus left a profound spiritual legacy. He is the author of several biographies of Passionist religious and a spiritual treatise intended for the formation of novices.

His spirituality was centered on the contemplation of the Passion of Christ and devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows. He insisted particularly on the absolute necessity of mental prayer for all Christians, recalling that faith without contemplative prayer remains sterile and incapable of bearing fruit in daily life. His example of unwavering trust in Divine Providence amidst historical trials remains a model for the Church.