ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

• Born in 1090 in Fontaines-les-Dijon. He entered the Abbey of Citeaux in 1112
• At 20/22, he left home to the join the monastic community in of Citeaux
• He brung thirty of his realtives with him.
• He is the founding abbot of Clairvaux Abbey in Burgundy
• In 1115 he was sent to begin a new monastery

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• He was sent near Aube: Clairvaux, the valley light
• He was known as a gifted spiritual writer
• Also "cithara of Mary", he was noted for his development of mary's mediatorial role
• Bernard's spiritual writing and magnetism began to attract many.

Bernard attracted people to join the Clairvaux and the other Cistercian monasteries. He was into the controversy developing between the new monastic movement which he represented and the established Cluniac order, a branch of the Benedictines. This led to one of his most popular works, Apologia.

He was sought as an advisor and mediator by the ruling powers of his age. More than any other he helped to bring about the healing of the papal schism which arose in 1130 with the election of the antipope Anacletus II. Bernard spent eight years doing laborious travel and skillful mediation. At the same time he labored for peace and reconciliation between England and France and among many lesser nobles.

His influence mounted when his spiritual son was elected pope in 1145. At Eugene III's command he preached the Second Crusade and sent vast armies on the road toward Jerusalem. In his last years he rose from his sickbed and went into the Rhineland to defend the Jews against a savage persecution.

St. Bernard was an abbot for 38 years. He wrote books such as the Five Books on Consideration, and Sermons on the Song of Song.

THINGS TO KNOW

• Bernard died at Clairvaux on 20 August 1153.
• He was canonized by Pope Alexander III on 18 January 1174.
• Pope Pius VII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1830.
• He is the patron saint of chandlers, bees, beekeepers, and wax-melters
• He helped end the Helped end the schism of anti-Pope Anacletus II.

THINGS TO KNOW

• Preached in France, Italy, Germany.
• First Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints.
• Feast day is August 20th. He is a confessors.
• Attributes: beehive; bees; three mitres on a book; white dog; inkhorn and pen; book.
• As a child he had a dream and mary said she will sustain him like a mother.

Quote: “In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may more surely obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal” (St. Bernard).

Quote: “There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge; that is Curiosity.

There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity.

There are those who seek knowledge in order to serve; that is Love.”
― Bernard of Clairvaux

Prayer to the Most Holy Name of Jesus: Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills the breast! Yet sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy presence rest. No voice can sing, no heart can frame, Nor can the memory find, A sweeter sound than Jesus' name, The Savior of mankind. O hope of every contrite heart! 0 joy of all the meek! To those who fall, how kind Thou art! How good to those who seek! But what to those who find? Ah! this Nor tongue nor pen can show The love of Jesus, what it is, None but His loved ones know. Jesus! our only hope be Thou, As Thou our prize shalt be; In Thee be all our glory now, And through eternity. Amen.

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QUESTIONS

• What is he the patron saint of?
• Who was in his dream?
• When is his feast day?
• When was he canonized?
• What is he known as?

ANSWERS

• Beekeepers, bees
• Mary
• August 20th
• January 18th, 1174
• Doctor of the church