Bernard of Menthon

Who they were

Bernard, of a rich noble family in Savoy, refused a marriage his father arranged and gave himself to the Church. He became Archdeacon of Aosta in 966 and for forty-two years preached the Gospel through the Alps and Lombardy.

To protect pilgrims crossing the dangerous Alpine pass to Rome, he founded a monastery and hospice at its highest point: the Great St Bernard. He died at Novara in 1008.

The miracles

The Catholic Encyclopedia does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.

Why that counted as sanctity

A missionary of the Alps who built a refuge for travellers in the snow.

Connected on this site

• Germà de Talloires Saint
  “Possibly from Montfort, he studied for some years in Paris, then was invited to become tutor to the future Saint Bernard of Menthon, founder of the two Alpine passes that still bear his name; together they returned to Paris to continue the young man's studies.” — this site's research