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Also known as: Mellifluous Doctor of the Church; Last of the Fathers of the Holy Church
Profile
French nobility. At age 22, fearing the ways of the world, he, four of his
brothers, and 25 friends joined the abbey of Citeaux; his father and
another brother joined soon after. Benedictine. Founded and led the
monastery at Clairvaux which soon had over 700 monks and 160 daughter
houses. Revised and reformed the Cistercans. Advisor to, and admonisher
of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young. Attended Second Lateran
Council. Fought Albigensianism. Helped end the schism of anti-Pope
Anacletus II. Preached in France, Italy, Germany. Helped organize the
Second Crusade. Friend and biographer of Saint Malachy O'More. Spiritual
advisor to Pope Eugenius III, who had originally been one of his monks.
First Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints. Proclaimed a
Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VIII.
Every morning Bernard would ask himself, "Why have I come here?", and then
remind himself of his main duty - lead a holy life.
Born:
1090 at Fontaines-les-Dijon, Burgundy, France
Died:
20 August 1153 at Clairvaux
Canonized:
1170 by Pope Alexander III
Patronage
beekeepers, bees, candlemakers, chandlers, Gibraltar, Queens College
Cambridge, wax-melters, wax refiners
Prayers
Rhythmic Prayer to the Sacred Members of Jesus Hanging on the Cross
Representation
Cistercian having a vision of Mary; Cistercian with a beehive; Cistercian
with a chained demon; Cistercian with a mitre on the ground beside him;
Cistercian with a swarm of bees nearby; Cistercian with a white dog;
Cistercian writing and watching Mary; beehive; bees; book; instruments of
the Passion; pen; white dog
Readings
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 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.
- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
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Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because of
itself. it is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause
outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the practice.
Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the
only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some
sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves,
all he desires is to be loved in return. The sole purpose of his love is
to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love him are made happy by
their love of him.
- from a sermon by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
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Look at that clever calumniator! He begins by fetching a deep sigh, he
affects to be humble, and puts on a modest look, and with a voice choking
with sobs tries to gloss over the slander which is on the tip of his
tongue One would fancy that he expressly assumed a calm and easy demeanor;
for when he speaks against his brother, it is in a tender and
compassionate tone. I am really hurt, says he, to find that our brother
has fallen into such a sin; you all know how much I love him, and how
often I have tried to correct him. It is not today that I have noticed his
failing; for I should always be on my guard to speak of others, but others
have spoken of it too. It would be in vain to disguise the fact; it is
only too true, and with tears in my eyes I tell it to you. This poor
unfortunate brother has talent, but it must be confessed that he is very
guilty, and however great may be our friendship for him, it is impossible
to excuse him.
- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 24th sermon on the Canticles
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintb08.htm
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