No image available
Feast Day: August 15
Death: August 15, 1450
Blessed Alberto Berdini of Sarteano, also known as Alberto Berdini, Alberto of Sarteano, and the King of Preachers, was born in 1385 in Sarteano, Tuscany, Italy. In 1405, he joined the Minor Conventuals, a Franciscan religious order, but later felt a call to evangelism and a more disciplined life, leading him to become an Observant Friar Minor in 1415.
Alberto's gift for preaching quickly became renowned, and his eloquent speaking style attracted students of rhetoric who flocked to hear him speak. They viewed him as a master of the art of oratory, often attending his sermons not solely for spiritual edification but also to study his brilliant technique.
Throughout his life, Blessed Alberto Berdini of Sarteano worked closely with Saint Bernardine of Siena, another prominent preacher of his time. In 1439, Pope Eugene IV chose Alberto as a papal legate and assigned him the important task of negotiating with the Coptic Christians in hopes of their attendance at the Council of Florence. In 1441, Alberto successfully brought four Coptic representatives to the council, but unfortunately, the attempts at unification with the Copts were ultimately unsuccessful.
Alberto's dedication to his mission earned him the position of Vicar-General of the Order of Friars Minor in 1442 and 1443, demonstrating the high regard in which he was held within the Franciscan community. Pope Eugene IV later appointed Alberto to negotiate with the Greek Orthodox hierarchy, aiming to persuade them to participate in the Council of Bologna in 1453.
In addition to his work in improving interfaith dialogue and fostering unity within the Christian community, Blessed Alberto Berdini of Sarteano served as an Apostolic delegate to various regions, including Ethiopia, India, Egypt, and Jerusalem. His apostolic journeys allowed him to spread the message of the Gospel, ministering to Catholic communities and encountering diverse cultures and traditions.
On August 15, 1450, Blessed Alberto Berdini of Sarteano passed away in Milan, Italy, at the age of 65 due to natural causes. Although his representation is not specified, his life of service and dedication to preaching and promoting Christian unity has led to his veneration among the faithful.
Blessed Alberto Berdini of Sarteano is celebrated and honored on August 15th, his feast day, as a testament to his exemplary life and commitment to proclaiming the Gospel message. While his beatification status remains unspecified, his legacy lives on as a model of preaching, evangelism, and fostering dialogue among diverse communities within the Catholic Church.