Lord God, You sanctified the beginnings of the Order of Friars Minor by the glorious struggle of Your holy martyrs Berard and companions. As they did not hesitate to give up their lives for You so may we bear staunch witness to You by our lives.
Saint Berard was the superior of Vitalis, Berard, Peter, Accursius, Adjutus, and Odo, missionaries to Morocco whom we celebrate today. They were martyred on this date in 1220. Saint Francis upon hearing of his brother’s deaths was reported to have said, “Now I can truly say that I have five Friars Minor!” The translation of the relics in the 15th century prompted Saint Anthony of Padua to leave the Augustinian Canons and join the Franciscans.