Bernard Mary of Jesus was an Italian Passionist priest who served as the superior general of his order. Born Cesare Silvestrelli in Rome in 1831, he initially struggled with health issues that temporarily interrupted his novitiate. After his ordination, he rejoined the Passionists and rose through the leadership ranks. He was highly respected by popes, including Leo XIII and Pius X, who compared his spiritual leadership to that of Saint Paul of the Cross. He died in Moricone in 1911 and was later beatified by Pope John Paul II.