Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Patron Saint of the Cisterians | August 20
Our saint for today is St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the saint considered as the “Most influential Churchman of Europe in the 12th century” and one of the greatest spiritual masters of all times. Bernard was born of noble parentage at the Castle of Fontaines, near Dijon, Burgundy, France in
1090. At age nine, he was sent to Chitillon for classical studies. A little
later, he took up Theology and Holy Scripture. Tall, handsome, slender, with great charm and passion for learning, he was known for his remarkable piety and spirit of recollection. He was wealthy, intelligent, industrious and was very attractive to the world, but God had a special design for him and he chose to follow the voice of God calling him to a holier kind of life. After the death of his mother, Bernard was resolved to become a monk. At age 23, he persuaded his two uncles and five brothers, (his father would follow later), together with several friends to enter the austere community of the Cistercians at Citeaux, which at that time was a dying community on account of no vocations entering. Their entrance was the turning point of the monastery in Citaeux. Soon many others followed them. Three years after professing the vows, due to his great piety and fervor, Bernard was chosen with twelve other religious to open a new monastery in a place called the Valley of Bitterness because of its poor conditions. Bernard and his companions suffered hunger, cold, and the absence of many necessities of life. When people knew
about them, relief soon came. The place would later be called Clara Vallis or Bright Valley, which evolved to be called Clairvaux. Bernard was chosen as Abbot of Clairvaux, a responsibility he held until his death.
Soon Bernard and Clairvaux became famous because of his personality, his holy life, his beautiful style of writing, his eloquence in his sermons, and his wise counsellings that even Popes followed his advice. By defending the teachings of the Church he was involved in controversies, but he emerged victorious because he was on the right track. Bernard became adviser, not only to Popes, but also to kings, princes, and noblemen. He was a healer of schisms, reformer of a monastic Order, theologian, Scripture scholar, eloquent preacher, a mystic, mariologist and sublime devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary, zealous defender of the Crusade. He wrote poems and songs about Jesus and Mary. His “Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Jesus” is a favorite prayer to many. Due to his extraordinary achievements, he was several times offered to become a Bishop, but he refused them all, preferring the austerity of monastic life. Yet as a monk, Bernard spent much time in travelling because of his many involvements: writing, giving lectures, giving counsels, opening
monasteries, etc. From Clairvaux, he travelled to many parts of Europe to open monasteries, which numbered 163 in all. Before his death, many had still been added.Many miracles happened even while he was still alive. One time he restored the power of speech to an old man that he might confess his sins before he died. Another time, an immense number of flies, that had infested the Church of Foigny, died instantly after the excommunication he made on them. Bernard died at Clairvaux on August 20, 1153 at the age of 63. His remains are venerated at the cathedral of Troyes, Champagne, France. He was canonized on January 18, 1174, 21 years after his death. He was the first Cistercian to be placed in the calendar of the saints. In 1830, he was given the title “Doctor of the Church” by Pope Pius VIII. Dear St. Bernard, we pray to you for priests and consecrated men and women. May they strive for a holy
life, faithfully follow God’s commands, and imitate your great love for Jesus and Mary.”
