Saint Bernard, born in 923, was a priest and archdeacon in northern Italy. He traveled diligently, bringing the faith, the sacraments, and education to the villages of the Alps. The cold, snowy mountain passes from Italy to Switzerland were very dangerous, so Bernard founded two hostels. The clergy there were always ready to rescue travelers from the snow, and they trained big dogs, now called Saint Bernards, to help too.Feast Day: May 28Patronage: Backpackers, Hikers, Mountain Climbers, Skiiers, Snowboarders, The Alps