Bernard of Clairvaux

1090 - 1153

LIFE

Born into a noble family in Burgundy, Bernard joined the Cistercian reform

of the Benedictine tradition when he was 23 years old.

A natural leader, he was made abbot of his community at age 25.

He was a prolific writer, and his works developed in the context of his role

as a teacher, preacher and pastor within a monastic order

dedicated to simplicity and contemplation.

Particularly noteworthy are his mystical treatises,

particularly his treatise On Loving God and his cycle of eighty-six

Sermons on the Song of Songs. Also important was his work

On Grace and Free Choice and his reflection on the Benedictine tradition,

The Steps of Humility and Pride.

IMPACT

In the evolution of Christian thought around the incarnation—

the reality that God became human—Bernard’s impact is hard to underestimate.

A doctor of the Catholic church, his intricate and beautiful writing style

earned him the title the “mellifluous one.” Although he is often recognized

for his authority as a spiritual teacher, he actually accomplished

a profound integration of spirituality and theology that helped the incarnation

move from being a teaching to a reality that could be experienced

by generations of women and men in medieval religious communities.

INSIGHTS

The needs of the flesh are a kind of speech, proclaiming in transports of joy

the good things experienced.

We who feel this way will not have trouble

in fulfilling the commandment

to love our neighbor.

(On Loving God)

My God, my help,

I shall love you as much as I am able for your gift.

My love is less than is your due, yet not less than I am able,

for even if I cannot love you as much as I should,

still I cannot love you more than I can.

I shall only be able to love you more

when you give me more…

(On Loving God)

True love is its own reward, it does not seek it.

A reward is offered to those who do not love;

it is due to those who love;

it is given to those who persevere.

(On Loving God)

“Divine joy is a delicate thing which is given only to the single-hearted.”