Bernard of Clairvaux, a contemplative activist, is one of the most powerful and influential figure of the High Middle Ages (1001-1300). Having influenced tremendously the political, literary and religious life of his time, the 12th century is called the Bernardine Period.
As a mariologist the phrase Omnia por Mariam is attributed to him. He doffs his hat and exclaims Ave Maria when he sees a statue of the Blessed Mother that one day it answered, “Ave Bernard.”
Of Mary, he counsels, “In danger, in doubt, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. With her for guide you shall never go astray while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall under her protection, you have nothing to fear.”
Charismatic personality
Bernard’s parents, Tescelin de Fontaine and Alethe de Montbard, belonged to the highest nobility of Burgundy.
Born in 1090 in Fontaines, France, he was a cheerful, handsome, intelligent and lovable student. He was schooled in a college at Chatillon, known for its piety and recollection. He continued to study Theology and Scriptures.
At 22, while at prayer, he felt God’s calling to religious life. He presented himself to Saint Stephen, the Abbot of the Benedictines at Citeaux. With him were 30 young noblemen; four of them are his brothers, friends and relatives, all willing to join the monastic way of life.
After three years, he was sent with 12 monks to a forested place in the valley of Wormwood to establish another Cistercian community, which he called Clairvaux. The center became known for hard work, self-denial and prayer.
His reputation for holiness spread that 130 monks entered the monastery, which included his father.
On June 25, 1115, Clairvaux—the white monks known today as the Trappists, was founded. It contributed to the renewal of the church in Europe, and new monasteries were established in the Dioceses of Chalons in 1118, Autum in 1119 and Laon in 1121. A general chapter was convened and on December 23, 1119, Pope Calixtus approved the constitution of the order. After 40 years, it had 300 monasteries in Europe.
Much-sought-after peacemaker
Bernard traveled to bring peace and unity in the church. He was a mediator and counselor of several civil and ecclesiastical councils. A confidant of five popes, he, too, was one.
When schism broke in the church due to the election of two popes, he was chosen to judge between the rival popes. He, likewise, worked relentlessly to condemn the unorthodox teachings of Peter Abelard, Arnold of Brescia and Gilbert de la Poree.
Bernard was also tasked to preach about the Crusades—the military expeditions organized by the church to liberate the Holy Land from Islam, which started in 1096. With the defeat of Christians at Edessa and with the fall of Holy Land under the powers of Seljuk Turks, Pope Eugenius III called for the Second Crusades (1147-1150) and commissioned Bernard to preach about it.
Traveling from Italy to Germany and France, he inspired people to join the Crusades to reassert Christian domination in the Holy Land. Two armies marched to the Holy Land, led by Kings Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany. The Crusades was a failure. Historians attributed the defeat mainly to lack of cohesiveness and cooperation. It was a situation that was logistically demanding. But, Bernard was blamed. He deemed it his duty to send an apology to the pope and included this in his Book of Considerations.
‘Doctor mellifluus’
Pope Pius XII , on the occasion of the eighth centenary of Bernard’s death, described his teachings as mellifluus, the Latin for “sweet as honey.” As a contemplative concerned with the issues of life, he was described as “imbued with resonance and a poetic genius,” by Encyclopedia Britannica.
Allied to his gift to communicate well, God gifted him with healing. He restored the speech of an old man so he can confess his sins before his death.
Among his literary outputs are the Treatise on Grace and Free Will, Theology of Christian Holiness, Commentary on Song of Songs and Treatise on Love of God.
He died at the age of 63 on August 20, 1153. He was buried in Clairvaux Abbey and transferred to Troyes Cathedral in 1792. He was canonized in 1174 by Pope Alexander III and declared Doctor of the Church in 1830 by Pope Pius VIII.
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Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris Collegium in Calauan, Laguna and Mater Redemptoris College in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons