St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) was a French Cistercian monk, mystic, reformer, and theologian. One of the most influential figures of the 12th century, he was the founder and abbot of the monastery of Clairvaux in northeastern France.
Born of a noble family at Fontaine, near Dijon, St. Bernard became a Cistercian at Cîteaux in 1112 and founded abbot of Clairvaux in 1115. The Cistercian order, which believes in a simple and disciplined lifestyle, grew rapidly under his influence.
St. Bernard was noted for his asceticism, severity, holiness, and persuasive eloquence. His preaching at the Council of Vézelay in 1146 initiated the Second Crusade (1147–49,) a Christian military expedition to the Holy Land to help contain the rise of Islamic forces.
A theologian and Doctor of the Church, St. Bernard dominated Europe through his eloquence and his counseling of popes and rulers. A prolific writer, Bernard composed treatises on asceticism, polemical works, and commentaries on the Bible.
St. Bernard published his numerous sermons; his most famous collection is Sermones super Cantica Canticorum (Sermons on the Song of Songs.) Notable translations and anthologies of St. Bernard’s works include On Loving God (1995,) The Steps of Humility and Pride (1989,) and Honey and Salt: Selected Spiritual Writings (2007.)
St. Bernard was canonized in 1174. His feast day is 20-August.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Bernard of Clairvaux
What we love we shall grow to resemble.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
Prayer is a wine which makes glad the heart of man.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
Topics: Prayer
Death is the gate of life.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
Topics: Death, Dying
Believe one who knows; you will find something greater in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
Topics: Wilderness
He rightly reads scripture who turns words into deeds.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
Topics: Hypocrisy
We find rest in those we love, and we provide a resting place in ourselves for those who love us.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
Topics: Love, Romance
Hell is full of good intentions or desires.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
Topics: Prayer
It is no great thing to be humble when you are brought low; but to be humble when you are praised is a great and rare attainment.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
Topics: Humility
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