missionary

Sergio and Domenica Bernardini:
Model of Christian Life

"The family is a school which enables men and women to grow to the full measure of their humanity."

Pope Benedict XVI

The family is the domestic Church. It is where the profound worship of God begins. The parents are the first teachers that minister to their children and from whom they learn the love of God and neighbor. Among the extraordinary witnesses who generously cultivated an ideal Christian life was a holy couple from Modena, Italy, whose process for beatification is now well on the way.

Sergio Bernardini

Sergio, the father of the family, was born in Sassoguidano, Modena, Italy on May 20, 1882 from profoundly Christian parents. He was the eldest of two sons. His life was divided into two parts, both of which clearly manifest that the providential hand of God was with him.

Sergio was a happy and serene fellow who worked honestly, managing the windmill of his village. At age 35, he married Emilia Romani, had three children:girl and two boys. Life for him was complete and truly blessed. "God is indeed good", he would often exclaim.

But the Lord overturned everything, when He asked him to sacrifice all the persons dear to him. In a span of four years, he lost his parents, his only brother, his wife and three children. He felt so lonely, but like Job, he did not complain and prayed: "God has given, God has taken away, blessed be His holy will." He did not lose his faith, nor despaired. Instead, he went to the United States to find money to pay the many debts incurred when his loved ones were sick. But he returned home after one year saying: "I fear losing my faith." He ask for some advice and his parish priest suggested the priesthood, but he said he was not worthy of it.

New Horizon, New Love

Then one day, a nice girl, Domenica Bedonni, was introduced to him. They became good friends and on May 14, 1914 got married. As a couple they grew together in spiritual life as they faithfully lived their Christian vocation.

Domenica Bedonni Bernardini

Domenica was born in Verica, Modena, on April 12, 1889. Brought up by exemplary Catholic parents, she desired to enter the convent to consecrate herself to God, but she found no one to help her follow her plan. She got engaged to a young man, but before they were united in marriage, he died.

In 1913, an uncle introduced her to Sergio who just arrived from the United States. Years later, while recalling their beautiful past, she said: "He was a widower...but I immediately felt that he was a very good man. Everything in him inspires confidence. He breathed respect and peace. Then I learned that he had suffered so much and I felt sorry for him. When he asked me to marry him, I prayed to God: "Well, Lord, if it is your will. Then give me many children; if it pleases You, they will be consecrated to You."

The marriage was celebrated and the couple found themselves very compatible even spiritually. The Lord was the center of their life. They were blessed with ten children: Igina, Agata, Maria Amalia, Raffaela, Augusta, Maria, Paola, Teresa Maria, Sebastiano, Germano. Eight of these children would be consecrated to God. Five of the six girls became Daughters of St. Paul, one is a Franciscan. The two boys became Capuchin priests. The youngest of them became an archbishop.

On May 11, 1964 the couple celebrated the golden jubilee of their wedding. It was a very blissful reunion of a family blessed generously by God. After three years on, Sergio died at the age of 84. Seven years later, Domenica followed him to the house of the Father.

The Ordinary but holy life of this couple has inspired many families. Today they are a step away from becoming saints of the altar.

Authentic Christian Witnesses

What does this story want to tell us? That the family is willed by God. That God has predilection over those who respond to Him without any reservation. That adhesion to the will of God brings untold blessings and graces. That most beautiful prayer is charity towards neighbor, especially the needy.

Was the family life of this couple always smooth? Did trials knock and invade the sanctuary of their home? Let us listen to what Sergio had to say:

"I never had the least confidence in Providence, even when the children were coming and the difficulties increased...

"I thanked the Lord for all the gifts He gave us everyday, and also of the tribulations and the patience to fight them with patience...

"The cross is necessary to diminish our pride, woe to us if it would not..."

And in the midst of difficulties he never invoked in vain the name of God and the Virgin Mary.

From Domenica, we hear of how she treasured God's gifts of children:

"Oh, if I could only explain and be heard by all the mothers of the world, what a gift, what a big grace it is to have children and the vocation to have a family.

"I always desire that my children would do good to the world for the glory of God. I am happy that I have many children, but I still desire others so as to have more priests and missionaries."