Saint Bernard came from a distinguished French family known both for its nobility and its Christian piety. He excelled in his studies and became a model for other young people, especially through his commitment to purity.
At the age of twenty-two, he left the world together with four of his brothers, his uncle Count Gaudry, and a large group of young men—about thirty in all—and entered the Cistercian Order, which follows the Rule of Saint Benedict.
He devoted himself to silence, prayer, and perfect obedience. He distinguished himself by his gentleness, humility, charity, and deep union with God. He practised every form of austerity, sought out the humblest tasks, and wore simple, worn clothing.
In his free time, he filled his mind and memory with verses from Holy Scripture until he knew much of it by heart. His writings and letters are filled with biblical quotations and references.
At the age of twenty-five, Bernard set out to establish the Abbey of Clairvaux in a remote and wild place. Before long, it became filled with monks and ascetics devoted to the hours of prayer and to rigorous practices of penance and mortification.
Bernard was placed at their head and, through the bishop, received the office of abbot of the community.
He was a wise and patient abbot, entirely devoted to the service of his monks.
He remained abbot for thirty-eight years. Through his influence, a great number of men entered religious life, many of them from noble and educated families, including military leaders and members of prominent households.
He also founded a monastery for women, where his only sister, Humbeline, took the veil and lived a holy life. His younger brother and his elderly father likewise entered religious life, and his father died in his arms in the odour of sanctity.
Bernard became a spiritual guide to many of the great and powerful of his time. He courageously opposed pride and moral corruption, called for wrongs to be repaired, and urged support for the poor and needy.
Through his sound judgment and powerful preaching, he worked to restore peace and order wherever conflict arose.
His sermons captivated hearts through their eloquence and strength of argument, earning him the title:
“The Honey-Tongued Doctor” — Doctor Mellifluus.
He was also called “the Harp of the Virgin” because of his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in whose honour he composed beautiful prayers and hymns.
His numerous letters and writings on theology and the spiritual life placed him among the great Fathers and Doctors of the Church.
He took part in many councils, where his influence was considerable. His disciple, Pope Eugene III, entrusted him with calling upon Christian princes and kings to take part in the Second Crusade.
Despite his illness, Bernard later travelled to make peace between two sides engaged in civil conflict, and he succeeded in his mission.
He then returned to his monastery, where he died in 1153.
May his prayer be with us. Amen.
A well-known saying attributed to him is:
“A servant of Mary will never perish.”
