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 Blessed Brother or sister
  “Gerard of Clairvaux (died 1138) was the older brother of Bernard of Clairvaux.” — 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
  “Youngest brother of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, entered Cîteaux as a child and later served as master of novices and on Cistercian missions; remembered as 'Beato' by Cistercian menologies, though no genuine ancient veneration or formal process is attested.” — this site's research
• 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
• Hugo z Novary Saint
  “Hugh of Novara was an abbot sent by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who established the Cistercian Order in this part of Sicily and in Calabria.” — this site's research
• 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
• Daniel de Grammont Blessed
  “He entered the abbey of Notre-Dame de Cambron, founded in 1148 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and became its abbot in 1164; the trust he earned brought many donations that allowed him to finish building the monastery.” — 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