St. Bernardo Tolomei Founder of the Olivetan Benedictine Order

Bernardo Tolomei (1272-1348), founder of the Olivetan Benedictine Order, was canonized at St. Peter's, Rome by Pope Benedict XVI on April 26, 2009 making him St. Bernardo Tolomei.[4]

On the 26th March 1319 Tolomei was given a Decree authorising him to build the future monastery of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto, near Asciano, Italy. Fodor's Review of Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore states "Tuscany's most-visited abbey sits in an oasis of olive and cypress trees amid the harsh landscape of Le Crete." The illustration of St. Bernardo Tolomei appears to show three large olives with two small olive branches sprouting on top.