August 20 Saint of the Day Profile
Saint of the Day Profile Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Profile:
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 admonish-er 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.
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
Representation
• beehive
• bees
• book
• Cistercian having a vision of Mary
• Cistercian with a beehive
• Cistercian with a chained demon
• Cistercian with a mitre on the ground beside him
• Cistercian with a swarm of bees nearby
• Cistercian with a white dog
• Cistercian writing and watching Mary
• instruments of the Passion
• pen
• white dog
• with Saint Humbeline
Readings
In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon
Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave
your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer,
neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall
never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long
as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds
your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to
fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows
you favor, you shall reach the goal.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because
of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause
outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the
practice. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul,
love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator
and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For
when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return. The sole
purpose of his love is to be loved, int he knowledge that those who love
him are made happy by their love of him.
From a sermon by Saint Bernard
Look at that clever calumniator! He begins by fetching a deep sigh,
he affects to be humble, and puts on a modest look, and with a voice
choking with sobs tries to gloss over the slander which is on the tip of
his tongue One would fancy that he expressly assumed a calm and easy
demeanor; for when he speaks against his brother, it is in a tender and
compassionate tone. I am really hurt, says he, to find that our brother
has fallen into such a sin; you all know how much I love him, and how
often I have tried to correct him. It is not today that I have noticed
his failing; for I should always be on my guard to speak of others, but
others have spoken of it too. It would be in vain to disguise the fact;
it is only too true, and with tears in my eyes I tell it to you. This
poor unfortunate brother has talent, but it must be confessed that he is
very guilty, and however great may be our friendship for him, it is
impossible to excuse him.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux,
24th sermon on the Canticles
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