Bernard of Clairvoux
Bernard of Clairvaux
Appellation: Cistercian monk and mystic, founder and abbot of the abbey of Clairvaux, preacher, and Doctor of the Church
Born: Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France, 1090
Died: August 20, 1153 in Clairvaux, France
Canonized: January 18, 1174
Feast Day: August 20
Death: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux died at the age of sixty – three on August 20, 1153 after spending forty years in the cloister. The deaths of his contemporaries served as a warning to Bernard. The first to die was Suger in 1152, Conrad III and his son Henry died the same year. From the beginning of 1153 Bernard felt his death approaching. The passing of Pope Eugenius one of Bernard’s greatest friends and consolers also made an impact.
Memorable Story: Bernard at a young age wanted to become a monk. He later finally decided to join the Benedictine community at Cîteaux. The community grew rapidly and eventually appointed Bernard as an abbot of a tributary of the Aube River. In 1129, Bernard was invited by Cardinal Matthew of Albano to the Council of Troyes to help obtain official recognition of the Knights Templar since he was a supporter of the Crusades. In the following year, at the synod of Châlons-sur-Marne, he ended the crisis arising out of certain charges brought against Henry, Bishop of Verdun. Bernard became a major force in the battle against heretics in southern France. Henry of Lausanne was rejecting doctrinal and disciplinary authority of the Roman Church. He accepted the Gospels as the primary rule of faith and considered both infant baptism and other sacraments invailid. June 1145, Cardinal Alberic of Ostia invited Bernard to preach. As a result he swayed many to return to orthodoxy.
Prayer:
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux help us through our daily labors. Help heretics return to the rightful faith and find God. Help the unfaithful find God. Help me find God and be pious. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux pray for us. Amen.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Appellation: Cistercian monk and mystic, founder and abbot of the abbey of Clairvaux, preacher, and Doctor of the Church
Born: Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France, 1090
Died: August 20, 1153 in Clairvaux, France
Canonized: January 18, 1174
Feast Day: August 20
Death: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux died at the age of sixty – three on August 20, 1153 after spending forty years in the cloister. The deaths of his contemporaries served as a warning to Bernard. The first to die was Suger in 1152, Conrad III and his son Henry died the same year. From the beginning of 1153 Bernard felt his death approaching. The passing of Pope Eugenius one of Bernard’s greatest friends and consolers also made an impact.
Memorable Story: Bernard at a young age wanted to become a monk. He later finally decided to join the Benedictine community at Cîteaux. The community grew rapidly and eventually appointed Bernard as an abbot of a tributary of the Aube River. In 1129, Bernard was invited by Cardinal Matthew of Albano to the Council of Troyes to help obtain official recognition of the Knights Templar since he was a supporter of the Crusades. In the following year, at the synod of Châlons-sur-Marne, he ended the crisis arising out of certain charges brought against Henry, Bishop of Verdun. Bernard became a major force in the battle against heretics in southern France. Henry of Lausanne was rejecting doctrinal and disciplinary authority of the Roman Church. He accepted the Gospels as the primary rule of faith and considered both infant baptism and other sacraments invailid. June 1145, Cardinal Alberic of Ostia invited Bernard to preach. As a result he swayed many to return to orthodoxy.
Prayer:
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux help us through our daily labors. Help heretics return to the rightful faith and find God. Help the unfaithful find God. Help me find God and be pious. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux pray for us. Amen.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux