page_title: Bernard of Menthon
section_title: Legacy
hierarchical_section_title: Bernard of Menthon / Life / Legacy
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Darstellung des Heiligen auf der Fahne der Bergwacht-Einsatzstelle Villgraten.
context_page_description: Saint Bernard of Montjoux, C.R.S.A., was an Italian monk and religious, the founder of Great St Bernard Hospice, the famed hospice and monastery which has served travelers for nearly a millennium as a refuge in the most dangerous part of the western Alps. It has been served by its own congregation of canons regular throughout its history. The famous breed of St. Bernard dogs were named after the hospice as they were bred to help on rescue missions during winter storms.
context_section_description: These hostels were renowned for the generous hospitality extended to all travelers over the Great and Little St. Bernard, so called in honor of the founder of these charitable institutions. At all seasons of the year, but especially during heavy snow-storms, the canons, later accompanied by their well-trained dogs, the common herding dogs of the Valais ("St Bernards" are attested from the 17th century), went out in search of victims who might have succumbed to the severity of the weather. They offered food, clothing, and shelter to the unfortunate travelers and took care of the dead. They depended on gifts and collections for sustenance.
  As of 2012 the congregation consisted of around 35 professed members, the majority of whom live at the hostel while some provide pastoral care to neighboring parishes. St. Bernard dogs are still on the site as pets; helicopters are used in rescue operations today.
  Although venerated from the 12th century in such places of northern Italy as Aosta, Novara and Brescia, Bernard was not formally recognized as a saint until his canonization by Pope Innocent XI in 1681. His feast is celebrated on 28 May or June 15 (Roman Martyrology).   Pope Pius XI confirmed Bernard as the patron saint of the Alps in 1923. His image appears in the flag of some detachments of the Tyrolean Alpine Guard. He is also the patron saint of skiing, snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering.
  Saint Bernard's Catholic Church in Saranac Lake, New York is named for him.
caption: Saint Bernard on the flag of the Tyrolean Alpine Guard, detachment Villgraten valley
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