CrucisSt. Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Bernard of Clairvaux was born in 1090 at Fontaine-lès-Dijon in Burgundy, France, into a noble family, and died on 20 August 1153 at Clairvaux. As a young man of great charm and eloquence he entered the struggling reform monastery of Cîteaux, bringing some thirty companions — including several of his own brothers — with him. Sent to found a new abbey at Clairvaux in 1115, he became its abbot and, through his holiness and tireless energy, made it the heart of a rapidly expanding Cistercian movement.
One of the most influential figures of the twelfth century, Bernard preached the Second Crusade, counseled popes, combated heresy, and helped heal a papal schism, all while producing writings of great warmth on the love of God and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His tender, scriptural eloquence earned him the title Mellifluous Doctor ('honey-sweet'). He was canonized in 1174 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1830.
Selected quotes
“The Word became flesh so that flesh might become word — so that your life, your body, your whole existence might be made an utterance of God.”
“The mystery of the Incarnation is the beginning of all mysteries — in it, God and man are joined in a union that eternity will never fully exhaust.”
“Preaching from the fullness of contemplation is the highest apostolic work — the soul gives what it has first received in silence.”