Blessed Bernard Mary of Jesus (known as Caesar Silvestrelli before becoming a Passionist) was born at Rome on 7^th  November 1831 of the noble Silvestrelli-Gozani family. He was baptized the same day, and received the sacrament of Confirmation on 7^th  June 1840. He was ordained a priest on Monte Argentario on 22^nd  December 1855. He made his religious profession as a Passionist on 28^th  April 1857 at the novitiate at Morrovalle where his companion was the future Saint Gabriel of Our Mother of Sorrows. He was quickly called upon to fulfil various ministries in the service of the Congregation: Director of Students, Master of Novices, Rector, Provincial Consultor and, during the years 1878-88 and 1893-1907, Superior General.  Strenuous in upholding the spirit of the Congregation, he gave our Institute a great apostolic thrust in the world. Under his enlightened and vigilant guidance six new Provinces were founded, and those which had been suppressed by the governments of Italy and France were reorganised. Having resigned the office of Superior General, he received from the Pope the title of "Honorary General" for life. He retired to the monastery at Moricone where he died on 9th December 1911 after a serious fall. He was eighty years of age. He was beatified by His Holiness John Paul II on 16^th  October 1988.