St. Bernard of Clairvaux

  Posted on August 19, 2024  by admin  No comments

Born: 1090 at Fontaines-les-Dijon, Burgundy, France

Died: 20 August 1153 at Clairvaux Abbey, Ville-sous-la-Ferté, Aube, France Canonized 1170 by Pope Alexander III

Patronage: beekeepers, bees, Burgundy, France, candlemakers, chandlers, Cistercian Order, Cistercians, Gibraltar, Knights Templar, Queens College, Cambridge, England, Speyer Cathedral, wax-melters, wax refiners.

Also known as Mellifluous Doctor of the Church, Last of the Fathers of the Holy Church

Born to the French nobility; brother of Saint Humbeline. 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 of Clairvaux which soon had over 700 monks and eventually 160 daughter houses. Revised and reformed the Cistercians. Advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young. Attended the Second Lateran Council. Fought Albigensianism. Helped end the schism of anti-Pope Anacletus II. Preached in France, Italy, and Germany. Helped organize the Second Crusade. Friend and biographer of Saint Malachy O’More. Spritual advisor to Pope Eugene 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 – to lead a holy life.