St. Bernard Catholic Church

About Bernard, Sorrel, the Saint

(St. Bernard of Clairvaux)

• Lived from 1090-1153
• Born in Dijon, Burgundy, France of a noble family. He had a frivolous youth
• Convinced 31 of his friends and relatives (4 of his brothers) to join the Abbey of Citeaux (first Cisterican monastery founded in 1098, which observed strict Benedictine rule)
• Sent in 1115, with 11 monks, to found Cistercian house in Langres
• Became an abbot at age 25
• Was austere and strictly disciplined
• His holiness attracted followers
• The Cistercian house was changed to Clairvaux, the mother house of 68 other
  Cistercian monasteries

• He became one of the most powerful influences in Europe due to his wisdom and knowledge
• He supported Pope Innocent II over antipope, Anticletus II
• He was an eloquent preacher and miracles attributed to him
• Pope Eugene III, who began at Clairvaux, asked Bernard to go to Languedoc in Southern France to combat Albegensian
• At Pope Eugene’s request, Bernard preached the 2nd crusade against the Muslim Turks who captured Edessa in Syria on Christmas, 1144
• Bernard died at Clairvaux on August 20
• Considered 2nd founder of the Cistercians

• He left mystical writings, 300 sermons, and 500 letters

• He had a deep devotion to Mary, and the Infant Jesus
• Declared Doctor of the Church in 1830
• He composed the prayer, the Memorare (Remember , O Most Gracious Virgin Mary…)
• He is considered the last of the Fathers of the Church
• His symbol is the bee-Industrious, selflessness, community
• His sister Humbeline, and his brother, Gerard, are also saints. His mother, Blessed Aleth of Montbard