St Bernard of Clairvaux was born near Dijon, in the region of Burgundy, France in 1090. He had a religious upbringing from his parents. Along with two uncles and between 27 and thirty friends he entered the Cistercian monastery of Citeaux in 1111. Having made a deep impression on the Abbot he was assigned to found a daughter monastery near by at Wormwoods, which later became to be known as Clairvaux, valley of light. He was elected soon after as Abbot of the monastery.
His new monastery was very strict and he was quite demanding of his monks, although probably more of himself. However, he did become less rigorous and more patient so as he matured spiritually. The monastery at Clairvaux became an exemplary centre of monastic life, reform renewal and spread its influence to Ireland and to Eastern Europe.
Through time his fame spread and he was called away from the monastery at times to travel through Europe as a counsellor and arbitrator restoring peace and unity, defending the faith and helping to avoid schisms due to the antipope. St Bernard was an eloquent preacher and had a mystical prayer life and a deep devotion to Our Blessed Lady. He wrote many works on Theology and the spiritual life.
He died at Clairvaux in 1153 and was canonised in1174.
Quote from St Bernard of Clairvaux on God’s Law
“The character of God’s eternal and just law is this, that those refusing to be ruled by God’s gentleness will have the misfortune of being ruled by their own selves, that whoever voluntarily throws off the gentle yoke and light burden of charity will be obliged to carry the unbearable burden of their own will”.
Quote from St Bernard of Clairvaux on Our Blessed Lady
“In dangers, in troubles, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. With her for guide, you shall never go astray, while invoking her, you shall never lose heart, as long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception, while she holds your wound, you cannot fall”.
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