Background
Because of his learning and holiness he was elected archdeacon of Aosta, and for 40 years he labored tirelessly for the people of the Alps. He is most famous for founding two hospices for the convenience and safety of Alpine travelers. The Augustinian monks from these monasteries, accompanied by their well-known St. Bernard dogs, still patrol the mountain passes as their predecessors did. According to a 15th-century document, Bernard was canonized by Richard, bishop of Novara (1115-1121). St. Bernard's feastdays are May 28 and June 15. In 1923 Pius XI declared him patron of mountain climbers.
