The Fascinating Life Of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin
Joseph Cardinal Bernardin began life as an ordinary boy from South Carolina, but he quickly blossomed into a world-renowned religious figure that inspired millions and left a legacy of hope and love. Through his wisdom, compassion and respect for all human life, Cardinal Bernardin was, and still is, revered throughout the world as an example of how to live and how to die.
Born on 2 April 1928, Joseph Louis Bernardin was the first born child to Italian immigrants, Joseph and Maria Bernardin. The Cardinal's parents had lived and married in the Italian village of Tonadico in 1927 and immigrated to South Carolina shortly after their nuptials. Within months, they became the proud parents of a baby who would become a significant world figure and religious leader. When Joseph was four years old, the illness that had plagued his father years earlier had returned and threatened to destroy the growing and happy family. Cancer had struck, and the outlook was quite bleak. In the midst of this most difficult time, Joseph Sr. and Maria were blessed with the arrival of a baby girl, whom they named Elaine. This joy was short-lived, however, and Joseph Sr.'s health continued to deteriorate. He underwent many surgeries and treatments in order to save his life, but nothing was successful. In 1934, with his wife at his side, he succumbed to cancer and died, leaving his wife and two small children to forge ahead at a time when the economy was poor and employment was hard to come by. (Kennedy & White 20).
After the tragic and untimely death of his father, five-year-old Joseph was left to care for his baby sister and often times make dinner for the family. At this young and tender age, the future Cardinal took on the responsibility of keeping his family afloat, a responsibility he would continue to selflessly fulfill until the day he died. Joseph entered public school at the age of five, but still continued to look after his family and perform the domestic tasks that his...
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