From the story of his life
St. was born as a nobleman’s son in 1090 in Fontaine-lès-Dijon (eastern France). Bernard.
He was educated in Châtillon-sur-Seine, and then in 1113, together with twenty-five friends and four brothers, he entered the Cistercian order, Cîteaux Abbey, where his father and another brother would soon join him.
1115. founded Clairvaux Abbey in which about seven hundred monks soon worked.
Writing the Cistercian rules, he reformed the order and became the most responsible for its spread.
He encourages the establishment of almost one hundred and sixty-three monasteries throughout Europe, while at the time of his death there will be three hundred and forty-three of them.
He was the initiator of the Second Crusade… a fighter against heretics and schismatics; the spiritual leader of Europe at the time, and advisor to numerous popes, rulers and bishops… almost the main representative of the mystical direction in medieval theology, and a great worshiper of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as a famous Mariologist.
He becomes one of the greatest orators of the Christian West. He preached in Italy, France and Germany.
Called “Doctor mellifluus” or “honey, sweet-talking church teacher” from whom we have a large body of sermons, letters, and theological, apologetic and ascetic-mystical discussions.
In Clairvaux Abbey, he died in 1153 on this day.
As the first Cistercian, he was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1174, and in 1830 he was declared a teacher of the church by Pope Pius VIII.
PRAYER
God, You raised up the holy Abbot Bernard in Your Church to burn with zeal for Your Home and shine like a bright light. Grant us through his intercession that we burn with the same spirit and live as children of the Light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Sources:
- http://zupajastrebarsko.hr/
- Holy choir for worship (2017.); Časoslov Rimskog Obreda, Kršćanska sadašnjost, Zagreb