Bernardin

Bordeaux, April 1862. Bernardin was a spirit who said he had been forgotten for many centuries. During his life on Earth, he lived in poverty, humiliation, and constant suffering. He belonged to the lower servant class during a brutal historical period when workers and servants were often treated with cruelty and injustice. Yet despite everything he endured, he kept faith in God and bore his trials without bitterness. After his death, he communicated in order to encourage others facing suffering and hardship.

The medium’s hand begins writing...

BernardinI'm a spirit who has been forgotten for many centuries.

BernardinI lived on Earth in poverty and disgrace.

BernardinI worked without rest each day simply to earn enough bread for my family.

BernardinBut I loved the One whom I regarded as my true Master.

BernardinAnd when my suffering increased because of the man who ruled over me on Earth, I would say:

Bernardin“My God... give me the strength to bear this burden without complaining.”

BernardinIn this way, I was atoning for a painful past.

BernardinBut when I finally emerged from that great trial, my true Master welcomed me into His peace.

BernardinAnd now my greatest desire is to tell all of you:

Bernardin“Men... my brothers... whatever price you must pay for your purification, the happiness awaiting you will repay it abundantly.”

BernardinI had no fixed trade.

BernardinI belonged to a large family of children.

BernardinI worked for anyone willing to help me earn a living.

BernardinI was born during a time when servants were treated harshly and cruelly.

BernardinI endured every injustice...

BernardinEvery forced labor...

BernardinEvery exploitation and theft...

BernardinEverything the subordinates of my earthly master chose to inflict upon me.

BernardinI saw my wife dishonored.

BernardinI saw my daughters carried away and later abandoned.

BernardinAnd I could not even utter a complaint.

BernardinI saw my sons torn away from me and forced into wars of plunder and crime.

BernardinAnd later hanged for faults they had not committed.

BernardinAh, friends... if only you knew all that I endured during that long and miserable life.

BernardinBut I was sustained by the hope of a happiness that does not belong to the Earth.

BernardinAnd that hope was fulfilled.

BernardinSo, I have the right to tell you:

Bernardin“Brothers... courage, patience, acceptance.”

BernardinMy child...

BernardinPreserve what I have written.

BernardinThis is a practical lesson.

BernardinPeople listen much more carefully to someone who can say:

Bernardin“I have suffered even more than you... and I endured it without complaining.”

AllanDuring what period did you live on Earth?

BernardinFrom 1400 to 1460.

AllanHave you had another life on Earth since then?

BernardinYes.

BernardinI later lived among you as a missionary.

BernardinA missionary of faith.

BernardinNot the faith invented by men...

BernardinBut the true and pure faith that comes from God.

AllanAs a spirit, do you now have occupations or responsibilities?

BernardinCan you imagine that spirits remain inactive?

BernardinInactivity and uselessness would be torture for them.

BernardinMy mission is to guide the workers within the great industrial cities toward Spiritism.

BernardinI inspire them with good thoughts.

BernardinAnd I try to neutralize the harmful suggestions that backward spirits attempt to place into their minds.