Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint of the day for August 20

(1090 - August 20, 1153)

History of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Man of the century! Woman of the century! You see these terms applied to so many today - "golfer of the century", "composer of the century", "fair tackle of the century" - that the line no longer has any impact. But the "man of the twelfth century" of Western Europe, without doubts or controversies, had to be Bernard of Clairvaux. Advisor to the popes, preacher of the second crusade, defender of the faith, healer of a schism, reformer of a monastic order, scholar of Scripture, theologian and eloquent preacher: each of these titles would distinguish an ordinary man. Yet Bernard was all of these, and he still retained a burning desire to return to the hidden monastic life of his younger days.

In the year 1111, at the age of 20, Bernard left his home to join the monastic community of Citeaux. His five brothers, two uncles and about thirty young friends followed him into the monastery. Within four years, a dying community had regained enough vitality to establish a new home in the nearby Wormwoods Valley, with Bernard as abbot. The zealous young man was quite demanding, even if more about himself than others. A slight deterioration in health has taught him to be more patient and understanding. The valley was soon renamed Clairvaux, the valley of light.

His ability as an arbiter and advisor became widely known. Increasingly, he was drawn away from the monastery to settle long-standing disputes. On many of these occasions, he apparently stepped on some sensitive fingers in Rome. Bernard was completely devoted to the primacy of the Roman seat. But to a warning letter from Rome, he replied that the good fathers of Rome had enough to do to keep the whole Church whole. If any issues arose that justified their interest, he would be the first to let them know.

Shortly after it was Bernard who intervened in a full-blown schism and established it in favor of the Roman pontiff against the antipope.

The Holy See convinced Bernard to preach the Second Crusade throughout Europe. His eloquence was so overwhelming that a large army gathered and the success of the crusade seemed assured. The ideals of the men and their leaders, however, were not those of the Abbot Bernard, and the project ended in a complete military and moral disaster.

Bernard felt somehow responsible for the degenerative effects of the crusade. This heavy burden probably hastened his death, which occurred on August 20, 1153.

Reflection
Bernard's life in the Church was more active than we can imagine possible today. His efforts have produced far-reaching results. But he knew it would be of little use without the many hours of prayer and contemplation that brought him heavenly strength and guidance. His life was characterized by a deep devotion to the Madonna. His sermons and books on Mary are still the standard of Marian theology.