John de Stroncone linked the reformers of Brugliano and Bernardine of Siena, whom he received at Colombaio in 1402. Bernardine's impact upon the fledgling community resembled that of Bernard of Clairvaux on the growth of the Cistercians. He preached in several regions of Italy and his visits are better documented than those of St Francis.

Bernardine's vocation

Bernardine was born into the old and noble Sienese family of the Albizzeschi at the Tuscan city of Massa Marittima on 8 September 1380, the year of the death of St Catherine of Siena. His parents were Tollo degli Albizzeschi, podestá of the city, and Nera degli Avveduti, a native of the city. It was the Sienese custom to baptise sons on the day of their birth. By the age of six Bernardine was orphaned. For five years he was brought up by his maternal aunt, Diana, who communicated her piety to him. At eleven, he passed into the care of his father's brother and sister-in-law at Siena, who supervised his education. These studies laid the foundation on which he built in later years. Bernardine was already well versed in grammar, poetry, rhetoric, canon law and the Scriptures. He frequently visited Tobia, his cousin, a member of the Third Order. A concern for the needy marked his life.