Bernard of Clairvaux

(1090–1153)

   Saint, Theologian, Mystic and Order Founder.

   Bernard was born near Dijon in France. As a young man he joined the Cistercian Order and was soon invited to found a new community at Clairvaux. This was to become one of the most important monastic houses in Europe. In 1128 he was responsible for the rule for the new Order of Knights Templar, which was to be accepted at the Synod of Troyes. The original purpose of the Templars was to provide aid to pilgrims making their way to the Holy Land, but over the years the order became hugely rich and powerful. Bernard was influential in the election of Pope Innocent II and in 1145, one of his students, Bernardo Pignatelli, was elected Pope Eugenius III, enhancing Bernard’s reputation still further. He was tireless in his defence of Catholic doctrine and he secured the condemnation of the doctrines of abelard and arnold of brescia at the Council of Sens of 1140.

   He was also entrusted with the preaching of the Second Crusade. His personality was as important as his activities. His ascetic temperament and deep religiosity impressed his contemporaries, but even in his lifetime, his unbending principles were the source of controversy. Under his leadership the Cistercian Order flourished. He was devoted to the Virgin Mary as the mother of God and did much to encourage her cult in the West. He was also the author of a number of mystical hymns; some, such as ‘O sacred head sore wounded’, are still sung today. His mystical treatise De Diligendo Deo has been described as ‘one of the most outstanding of all mediaeval books of devotion’. Bernard was canonised soon after his death in 1174 and was named a Doctor of the Church in 1830.

   E. Gilson, The Mystical Theology of St Bernard (1990);

   T. Merton, The Last of the Fathers (1954);

   A.V. Murray, Abelard and St Bernard (1967).