St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot & Devotee of the Blessed Mother

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot: 1090-1153 A.D.

Feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, August 20

Birth, youth and conversion

St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, was the son of Tescelin Sorrel and Aleth, daughter of the lord of Montbard. Bernard was born into this noble family at Fontaines les Dijon, the family castle, near Burgundy. The third son of seven children, he was then sent to study at Châtillon. But after living frivolously as a youth, he decided, upon the death of his mother, to lead and live a religious life.

The Cistercian monastery at Citeaux

In 1112 A.D., St. Bernard persuaded thirty-one of his friends and relatives (including four of his brothers) to go with him and enter the Cistercian monastery at Citeaux. This monastery, which was founded in 1098 A.D., was the first Cistercian monastery that observed a strict interpretation of the Benedictine rule. He and his companions were welcomed by the abbot, St. Stephen Harding.

Founding a monastery at Clairvaux

In 1115 A.D., St. Bernard was sent by St. Stephen Harding with twelve monks to open a new monastery at what was later to be called Clairvaux - a forested place in the Valley of Wormwood. Though there were initial difficulties because of St. Bernard's strict discipline and austerities, his holiness soon attracted scores of disciples. This mother house of Clairvaux was to become the center of some sixty-eight Cistercian monasteries established by its monks.

A powerful influence in Europe

Many miracles were attributed to St. Bernard's intercession. He was a holy abbot, an ecclesiastical statesman, a mediator between warring armies, a counselor of popes and kings, and a champion of orthodoxy. St. Bernard was the most influential person in Europe in the first half of the twelfth century. So great was his reputation that even the enemies of the Church admired his holiness and the greatness of his writings.

Involved in the ecclesiastical and political issues of Europe

St. Bernard of Clairvaux is considered the second founder of the Cistercians. His influence during the last forty years of his life was enormous. He was prominently involved in practically every major event of those years: (1) supporting the legitimacy of Pope Innocent III's election in 1130 A.D. against the claims of the antipope Anacletus II; (2) leading the Lombards to accept Lothaire II as Emperor; (3) was instrumental in having Abelard condemned at the Council of Sens; (4) having seen one of Clairvaux monastery's postulant, Peter Bernard Paganelli, chosen as pope in 1142 A.D., taking the name Pope Eugene III; (5) and at Eugene III's request, preached a Crusade against the Turks in 1146 A.D.

The Mellifluous Doctor

St. Bernard was given many assignments by the pope. His works included, among other things, a treatise written for the guidance of Pope Eugene III (De consideratione), more than three hundred sermons, and five hundred letters. His mystical writing, De Diligendo Deo, was one of the outstanding medieval mystical works which formed the mysticism of the Middle Ages. His reflections also on Scripture, his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, all had a profound effect on Catholic spirituality at the time. Called the Mellifluous Doctor for his way with the spoken word, St. Bernard was canonized in 1174 A.D., declared a Doctor of the Church in 1830 A.D., and considered the last of the Fathers of the Church.

Last days and death

In 1153 A.D., St. Bernard left Clairvaux to effect a peace between the duke of Lorraine and the inhabitants of Metz, which had been attacked by the duke. He was stricken on his return and died at the monastery of Clairvaux on August 20, 1153 A.D.

Though St. Bernard was called upon to use his wisdom and counsel in world affairs in Europe, he had a great desire to lead a quiet contemplative life. He said, "In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary: under her protection, you have nothing to fear; if she walks with you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favour, you shall reach the goal."

Though St. Bernard of Clairvaux failed in his preaching during the Second Crusade, his evident holiness could not be denied. And even if the disastrous failure of the Second Crusade proved that saints can commit mistakes, he was nevertheless canonized twenty-one years after his death by Pope Alexander III.

20th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Gospel for "Your Reflection": Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

20th Sunday of the Year (C), August 18, 2013

Liturgical readings
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Psalm 40
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53

"Jesus has come to light a fire on the earth."


Jesus said to his disciples:


"I have come
to light a fire on the earth.


How I wish the blaze were ignited!


I have a baptism to receive.


What anguish I feel till it is over!



Do you think I have come
to establish peace on the earth?


I assure you,
the contrary is true;


Wherever your treasure lies,
there your heart will be.


I have come for division.


From now on,
a household of five
will be divided
three against two
and two against three;


father will be split against son
and son against father,


mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,


mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."


Scripture verses from the Sunday Readings:
"The Lord heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction." (Psalm 40)
"You are my help and my deliverer,  O my God, hold not back." (Psalm 40)
"Let us aside every encumbrance of sin which clings to us and persevere in running the race which lies ahead." (Hebrews 12)
"Many shall look on in awe and trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40)

19th Sunday of the Year (C)

For Your "Sunday Reflection": Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

19th Sunday of the Year (C), August 11, 2013

Liturgical readings
Wisdom 18:6-9
Psalm 33
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Luke 12:32-48

The Lord said, "Who in your opinion is that faithful, farsighted steward..?"


Jesus said to his disciples:


Do not live in fear, little flock.


It has pleased your Father
to give you the kingdom.


Sell what you have
and give alms.


Get purses for yourself
that do not wear out,
a never-failing treasure
with the Lord
which no thief comes near
nor any moth destroys.


Wherever your treasure lies,
there your heart will be.


Let your belts be fastened
around your waists
and your lamps be burning ready.


Be like a man awaiting
their master's return from a wedding,
so that when he arrives and knocks,
you will open for him without delay.


It will go well with those servants
whom the master finds wide-awake on his return.


I tell you,
he will put on an apron,
seat them at table,
and proceed to wait on them.


Should he happen to come at midnight
or before sunrise and find them prepared,
it will go well with them.


You know as well as I
that if the head of the house knew
when the thief was coming
he would not let him break into his house.


Be on guard, therefore.


The Son of Man will come
when you least expect him."


Peter said,


"Do you intend this parable for us, Lord,
or do you mean it for the whole world?"


The Lord said,


"Who in your opinion is that faithful, farsighted steward
whom the master will set over his servants
to dispense their ration of grain in season?


That servant is fortunate
whom his master finds busy when he returns


Assuredly,
his master will put him in charge
of all his property.


But if the servant says to himself,


'My master is taking his time about coming,'


and begins to abuse the housemen and servant girls,
to eat and drink and get drunk,


that servant's master will come back on a day
when he does not expect him,
at a time he does not know.


The slave who knew his master's wishes
but did not prepare to fulfill them
will get a severe beating,
whereas the one who did not know them
and who nonetheless deserved to be flogged
will get off with fewer stripes.


When much has been given a man,
much will be required of him.


More will be asked of a man
to whom more has been entrusted."

Scripture verses:
"Your people awaited the salvation of the just and the destruction of their foes." (Wisdom 18)
"Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield." (Psalm 33)
"Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see." (Hebrews 11)
"The eyes of the Lord are upon those who hope for his kindness." (Psalm 33)