Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
By Kristin Koblentz
God calls us all to be saints, but some He calls to be extraordinary
saints. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was one such man. Born in the year 1090, he
grew up to be one of the most influential men of the twelfth century. One of
seven children, Bernard’s parents raised him with a superb education, sending
him off at only the age of 23 to join the reformed Benedictines of Citeaux,
later known as the Cistercians. Not only did Bernard enter the monastery
himself, but he brought thirty young noblemen of Burgundy with him, including
his six brothers and his widowed father. He received his monastic formation
from St. Stephen Harding and was then sent out only two years later as an abbot
to start a new monastery in Clairvaux.
Bernard struggled with the beginnings of his new monastery. The daily
routine of the monks was so rigid and austere that Bernard’s health began to
take a toll and the authority of the General Chapter was called in to lessen
the asceticism of the monks’ regime. But despite the rigidity of daily life,
the monastery thrived and was bringing in more vocations than it had room for.
The monks met wise and sincere spiritual direction in Saint Bernard. He was an
eloquent speaker and spoke out passionately on the revival of the primitive
spirit of regularity and fervor in all monastic orders.
So many men flocked to the leadership of St. Bernard of
Clairvaux. He founded 163
monasteries in various parts of Europe, numbering around 343 at the time of his
death. But Bernard was not just a skilled spiritual father for monasteries.
Bernard’s writings, speeches, and opinions
were sought out by many in political and theological affairs. One such instance
was the papal schism, which broke out after the death of Pope Honorius II on February 14, 1130.
Two popes, Pope Innocent II and Pope Anacletus II, had been elected and at the
national convention of French bishops called by King Louis VI, Bernard was
chosen as judge between the two rival popes. He chose Pope Innocent II causing
the pope to be recognized by all heads of state. Amongst his other achievements
in provincial affairs, he was very influential in leading and recruiting for
the Second Crusade.
His
theological achievements were numerous; having written many treatises and books
by the end of his life, St. Bernard’s writings achieved high esteem and even
helped to defeat heresy. Towards the end of the 1100s, human reason and
rationalism became exalted above the spiritual and supernatural. Peter Abelard
was a powerful advocate of this movement and published a treatise on the
Trinity that proved to be very controversial. Bernard agreed to a debate with
Abelard and he convinced Abelard so completely that Abelard rescinded his view
by the end of their discussion.
Saint
Bernard’s eloquence of speech, passion for the truth, and fervor in religious
monasticism changed the Church forever. He is considered today to be one of the
founders of the Cistercian order, a Doctor of the Church, and his devotions to
the Blessed Virgin Mary still pervade our music and prayers. St. Bernard’s
fervor in following the will of God should be mirrored in our daily lives,
always striving for the truth, meditating on God’s love, and bringing others to
the Light of Christ.
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