Bernard of Clairvaux

Who they were

Bernard was born in 1090 at Fontaine in France to a well-off family. At 22, after studying grammar and rhetoric, he entered the monastery Robert of Molesme had founded at Cîteaux, bringing with him relatives including four brothers, an uncle and a cousin. A few years later he founded the abbey of Clairvaux.

For him monastic life was work, contemplation and prayer with two fixed stars, Jesus and Mary: 'In dangers, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call on Mary.' His writings, among them the sermons on the Song of Songs, made him one of the great teachers of the Church. He also wrote in praise of the Knights Templar, founded by his relative Hugh of Payns.

The miracles

He was canonised 21 years after his death. Pius VIII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1830.

Why that counted as sanctity

Bernard loved Christ above everything - nothing had flavour for him unless the name of Jesus sounded in it - and led others to Him through Mary. His holiness drew his own family and many others after him.

Connected on this site

• Gerard of Clairvaux Saint Brother or sister
  “Gerard of Clairvaux (died 1138) was the older brother of Bernard of Clairvaux.” — Wikipedia
• Baldwin Blessed Pupil
  “Baldwin (died 6 October 1145) was a Cistercian monk and later Archbishop of Pisa, a correspondent of Bernard of Clairvaux, and a reformer of the Republic of Pisa.” — Wikipedia
• Humbeline of Jully Blessed Brother or sister
  “She was the younger sister of Bernard of Clairvaux, and her entry into the Benedictine priory at Jully, apparently at the urging of her brother, figures in accounts of Bernard of Clairvaux's life.” — Wikipedia
• Nivard of Clairvaux Blessed Brother or sister
• Baldwin of Rieti Saint
  “Bernard of Clairvaux.” — Wikipedia
• Hugh of Noara Saint
  “Hugh of Noara or of Novara, also known as Ugo of Novara and Hugo of Novara, was a Cistercian monk and a disciple of Bernard of Clairvaux.” — Wikipedia
• Hugo of Bonnevaux Saint
  “This was opposed by his family, but he received a letter of support from Bernard of Clairvaux.” — Wikipedia
• Peter of Juilly Saint
  “He was later the confessor for the nuns of the Priory of Jully-les-Nonnains, under the then abbess Blessed Humbeline, sister of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.” — Wikipedia
• Peter of Tarentaise Saint
  “Peter tried to refuse an elevation to the episcopate though his superiors and Bernard of Clairvaux insisted that he accept the position.” — Wikipedia
• Robert of Molesme Saint
  “At 22, after studying grammar and rhetoric, he entered the monastery Robert of Molesme had founded at Cîteaux, bringing with him relatives including four brothers, an uncle and a cousin.” — this site's research
• Eugene III Blessed
  “Bernardo of Pisa came under the influence of St Bernard of Clairvaux in 1130 and became a Cistercian, later Abbot of Tre Fontane.” — this site's research
• Gonario II of Torres Blessed
  “Bernard of Clairvaux even weighed into island politics and sent a letter to Pope Eugene III to justify Baldwin's actions and commend Gonario as quia bonus princeps dicitur.” — Wikipedia