Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Bernard of Clairvaux was born as Bernard de Fontaines in Fontaines, near Dijon, France around 1090 AD. He is commonly known by his monastic name, Bernard of Clairvaux.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Bernard was born circa 1090 AD and died on August 20, 1153 AD.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
He was a French monk, theologian, and abbot. Bernard is considered one of the most influential Church leaders in history and played a significant role in shaping Christian spirituality during the Middle Ages.
#### Early Life and Background
Bernard came from a noble family and was raised with the intention of pursuing a career in law or politics. However, at the age of 21, he had a profound spiritual experience that led him to leave his family's estate and join the Cistercian monastery at Citeaux. This marked the beginning of his journey towards becoming one of the most influential figures in Christian history.
#### Major Accomplishments
Bernard was instrumental in the establishment of several monasteries, including Clairvaux Abbey, which he founded in 1115 AD. He also played a crucial role in promoting the Cistercian Order, which became a dominant force in medieval European Christianity. Bernard's preaching and writings had a profound impact on the development of Christian theology, emphasizing the importance of personal devotion and spiritual growth.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Bernard wrote extensively on various topics, including spirituality, theology, and mysticism. His most famous works include:
_De Diligendo Deo_ (On Loving God), a treatise on the nature of love and devotion to God.
_In Praise of Lady Wisdom_, a collection of sermons that explore the nature of wisdom and its relationship to spiritual growth.
* _The Steps of Humility and Pride_, a work that examines the nature of humility and pride in the context of Christian spirituality.
Bernard was also an influential mediator in Church politics, playing a key role in the election of Pope Eugenius III in 1145 AD. He is often credited with helping to bring about the Second Crusade, which he initially opposed but later supported in order to promote peace and unity within the Church.
#### Impact and Legacy
Bernard's impact on Christian history cannot be overstated. His writings and teachings continue to inspire spiritual seekers and scholars around the world. He is remembered for his emphasis on personal devotion, spiritual growth, and the importance of living a simple and contemplative life. Bernard's legacy extends beyond his own lifetime, influencing countless individuals and shaping the course of Western spirituality.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Bernard's writings are widely quoted due to their accessibility and depth. His emphasis on personal devotion and spiritual growth resonates with people from all walks of life. He is remembered as a champion of Christian orthodoxy, who worked tirelessly to promote the values of humility, compassion, and wisdom. Bernard's legacy continues to inspire spiritual seekers, scholars, and leaders around the world.
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Bernard of Clairvaux remains one of the most significant figures in Christian history, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape Western spirituality. His emphasis on personal devotion, spiritual growth, and the importance of living a simple and contemplative life has inspired countless individuals throughout the centuries.
Quotes by Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux's insights on:
In Him should all our affections center, so that in all things we should seek only to do His will, not to please ourselves.
To them that long for the presence of the living God, the thought of Him is sweetest itself: but there is no satiety, rather an ever-increasing appetite...
Righteousness is the natural and essential food of the soul, which can no more be satisfied by earthly treasures than the hunger of the body can be satisfied by air. If you should see a starving man standing with mouth open to the wind, inhaling draughts of air as if in hope of gratifying his hunger, you would think him lunatic. But it is no less foolish to imagine that the soul can be satisfied with worldly things which only inflate it without feeding it.
O wretched slaves of Mammon, you cannot glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ while you trust in treasures laid up on earth: you cannot taste and see how gracious the Lord is, while you are hungering for gold.
The reason for loving God is God Himself. As to how He is to be loved, there is only one measure: It is immeasurable!
To have a restful or peaceful life in God is good; to bear a life of pain in patience is better; but to have peace in the midst of pain is the best of all.
Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to become learned rather than to live well.
A saint is not someone who never sins, but one who sins less and less frequently and gets up more and more quickly.
Humility is, of all graces, the chiefest when it does not know itself to be a grace at all.