Br. Bernard Jennings, OFM

Br. Bernard Jennings, OFM, a native Cincinnatian who spent most of his life as a Franciscan friar in the service of brother friars, died July 17 at St. Margaret Hall in Cincinnati. He was 90 years old.

The son of Joseph and Margaret Fischer Jennings, he was baptized at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral and attended St. Francis Seraph School and St. Francis Seminary. A gifted painter, Bernard studied Fine Arts at the Dayton Art Institute and the University of Cincinnati. He was trained as a tailor in 1946 during formation with the friars and spent almost 30 years making Mass vestments and religious habits in Cincinnati and Oldenburg, Ind. Friars benefited from his talents as a barber and an electrician during his service with the Brothers’ Work Crew. He made cords for Franciscan habits for almost 70 years – a skill practiced by few in modern times.

Bernard is survived by his friar brothers and a sister, Mary Jennings Hagerty of Indianapolis, and her family. His body will be received at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at St. Clement Church, 4536 Vine St. in St. Bernard, Ohio. A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 10:30 a.m. Burial is at St. Mary Cemetery in St. Bernard. Memorials may be made to the Franciscan Friars c/o Friar Works, 1615 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.