St. Bernard,
Abbot and
Doctor of the Church
St. Bernard was born of noble parentage in Burgundy, France, in the castle of Fontaines near Dijon. Under the care of his pious
parents he was sent at an early age to a
college at Chatillon, where he was conspicuous for his remarkable piety and
spirit of recollection. At the same place he entered upon the studies of theology and Holy Scripture. After the death of his mother, fearing the snares and temptations of the world, he resolved to embrace the newly established and very austere institute of the Cistercian Order, of which he was destined to become the greatest ornament. He also persuaded his brothers and several of his friends to follow his example. In 1113, St. Bernard, with thirty young noblemen, presented himself to the holy Abbot, St. Stephen, at Citeaux. After a novitiate spent in great fervor, he made his profession in the following year. His
superior soon after, seeing the great progress he had made in the spiritual life, sent him with twelve monks to found a new monastery, which afterward became known as the celebrated
Abbey of Clairvaux.
St. Bernard was at once appointed
Abbot and began that active
life which has rendered him the most conspicuous figure in the history of the 12th century. He founded numerous other monasteries, composed a number of works and undertook many journeys for the honor of God. Several Bishoprics were offered him, but he refused them all. The reputation of
St. Bernard spread far and wide; even the
Popes were governed by his advice. He was commissioned by Pope
Eugene III to preach the second Crusade. In
obedience to the Sovereign Pontiff he traveled through
France and Germany, and aroused the greatest enthusiasm for the holy
war among the masses of the population. The failure of the expedition raised a great storm against the saint, but he attributed it to the sins of the Crusaders.
St. Bernard was eminently endowed with the gift of miracles. He died on August 20, 1153. His
feast day is August 20.
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