Louis Bertrand is a saint who believed in the power of the rosary and raised a girl by praying for it. He was born on 1 January 1525 at Valencia in Spain. He had been a devote man since childhood. Bertrand had a special devotion to Mother Mary. He joined the Dominican Church at the age of 19. Later at 22 he became a Dominican priest and held various positions in the church.
At the age of 36 he left for South America. He stayed in the new world and baptized thousands of persons. He worked among the indigenous people of Panama and among the Caribbean. The saint, who returned from the mission land, was again ordained to various ranks and responsibilities. He was bedridden and people taken with bed itself to pulpit for the preaching. It was very difficult and painful time for him. It is said that there were many miracles at the time of death. At the moment of his death, many testified that a heavenly fragrance was emanating from his body. A heavenly light radiated from his lips and music spread in the room.
Insects could not destroy his body. The unblemished body amazed everyone. The body, which had not decayed for 350 years, was destroyed during the Spanish Revolution of 1936. He is known as the ‘Apostle to the Americas’. He is Canonized in 1671 in Rome by Pope Clement X. Feast day is on October 9.