SAINT OF THE MONTH

​For the month of August, I have chosen to share about the life and charism of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church. Saint Bernard was born in 1090 AD in the French city of Fontaine. He had six other siblings, four of whom are Blessed’s of the Church. Bernard and his siblings were well taught in their youth. However, Bernard would be the only sibling to carry on in his formal education. While he grew in learning and understanding, Bernard grew more attentive to the inspirations God spoke to his heart. For example, on Christmas Eve, while waiting for his mother to go to church, Bernard fell asleep and saw the Christ-child in the manger. After this moment, Bernard would piously meditate on the love and mercy of God, shown through the humanity of the Son (Butler’s Lives of the Saints, 360).  

  

“Bernard made his appearance in the world with all the advantages and talents which can make it attractive to a young man, or which could make him loved by it. His personal attractiveness and wit, his affability and sweetness of temper, endeared him to everybody; in these very advantages lay his chief danger, and for a time there was serious risk of his becoming lukewarm and indifferent”. (360). He was attracted to religious life, especially, the Cistercian Order, where religious men were called to live a severe and strict life following the Rule of St. Benedict. After a moment of great anxiety, he went into a church and prayed and left the church and determined, with a resolute will, to enter the Cistercian order. His friends tried to persuade him from becoming a monk, but Bernard remained firm; he even convinced his four brothers and his uncle’s (and 31 other men) to join the Cistercian order with him. His ability to eloquently speak was so irresistible that “mothers feared for their sons, wives for their husbands, lest they came under the sway of that compelling voice” (361).  

 

Though Saint Bernard desired to live a holy life, cloistered within the monastery walls, many came to him seeking his wisdom and spiritual guidance. So great were his words that he was nicknamed “the oracle of Christendom” (362). Around 1145 AD, Saint Bernard would travel to a town in Southern France, preaching against the Albigensian heresy. He convinced and persuaded many to return to the Catholic Faith. Later, on Palm Sunday of 1146 AD, Saint Bernard was commissioned by Pope Eugenius to preach a crusade. His preaching left those who heard him with hearts burning with the desire to serve and join the Crusade. So many people had wanted to join, that the supply of badges were running out, so Saint Bernard tore pieces off his habit and gave them to the Crusaders as badges (362). Toward the end of his life, Saint Bernard had fallen ill and on August 20th, 1153, Saint Bernard entered his heavenly home. 

 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, Saint Bernard teaches us that our own privileges and gifts can be transformed and used to glorify God and better His Holy Church. God privileges each of us with many gifts, such as intelligence, education, natural talents, etc. Yet, we tend to forget these are God’s gifts to us. If we desire to grow into the saints God wants us to become, we must look to God for His inspiration and guidance on how the gifts we receive can be materially or spiritually beneficial to our neighbor. Saint Bernard had many advantages and privileges at his disposal. He was on a good track to live a very good life with status and comfort, yet the Lord was moving his heart and mind to a singular devotion and service to His Church. His gifts and privileges didn’t determine the path for him to follow, but elevated and enriched his vocation! By his physical appearance and good nature, he drew people into an encounter. Through his education and intelligence, he then conversated and moved hearts and mind to love God and the neighbor, whether as a monk or as a Crusader. Though many of us may not be called to priesthood or religious life, we are called by God here and now to use the gifts, talents and privileges we possess to better love God and neighbor.  For example: the high school athlete can speak to his/her teammates about the life of Faith and its relation to the conditioning and training for their sport. The lawyer, who is well trained in argumentation and logic, could learn more of the Faith and speak to others about the Truth of the Catholic Faith. All our gifts, talents and privileges can be used for the glory of God! May we allow God to use every part of our lives for His Will to be done. 

 

Daniel LaPolla