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Acta Sanctorum: St. Bernard of Clairvaux (Aug 20)

August 20, 2025

Fr. John Colacino C.PP.S.

August 20

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Life (1090-1153)

Are you familiar with the Trappist Cistercians --those silent, austere farming monks who have an abbey at Piffard in the Diocese of Rochester? Well, these men mirror the life and values of their “second founder,” St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Bernard was born into a noble French family in 1090 AD. As he grew up, he was admired for his good looks, sharp wits and warm disposition. But those who liked him for these surface qualities did not see his underlying desire to serve God alone.

Attracted to the Cistercian monks at Citeaux, he not only entered this strict monastery in 1112, but brought 31 relatives and friends with him into the religious life. How is that for leadership! Just three years later, his superiors were so pleased with him as a monk that they sent him off, though only 25, to found a new monastery. The locale was called “Wormwood Valley.” He changed the name to “Clairvaux,” “Valley of Light.” The new monastery quickly rose in population from 12 to 130. During his own lifetime, Bernard witnessed the foundation of 767 more Trappist-Cistercian monasteries in many countries.

If he had had his “druthers,” St. Bernard would have spent his whole life within the walls of the cloister. But this was not to be. Most saints are not geniuses; Bernard was. He quickly became recognized as an expert on spiritual life, as a preacher without equal, and as a theological writer; eventually proclaimed a doctor of the Church.

He was recognized even more widely in his lifetime as a natural leader, called on to help Christendom wherever help was needed. Once, two men claimed to be pope. Bernard was brought in to defend the valid claimant. Abelard the philosopher was teaching errors, and the Albigensian sect, heresy. Bernard was brought in to refute both of them. The Holy Land, rescued in the First Crusade from the Muslims, was reconquered by them. Bernard was brought in to preach the Second Crusade (and unfairly blamed when the Crusade fizzled). Even in 1153, when Bernard was in his last illness, the Archbishop of Trier pleaded with him to leave the monastery and make peace between the citizens of Metz and the Duke of Lorraine. Again, the saint succeeded, but he died on August 20 of the same year.

Bernard of Clairvaux was thus both a mystic and a leader. “St. Bernard’s Glove” is a good symbol of both talents. The glove is a relic that has come down from him. On each finger is embroidered a little French motto of Christian behavior. “Merci” (“Say thanks!”). “Volontiers (“Be generous!”). Qu’ importe?” (“Ignore trifles!”). “Tais-toi” (“Don’t Say it!”) and “Confie-toi” (“Be of good heart!”). Try that on for size! --Father Robert F. McNamara

Scripture Ecclesiasticus 15:1-6

Whoever fears the Lord will act like this,

and whoever grasps the Law will obtain wisdom.

She will come to meet him like a mother,

and receive him like a virgin bride.

He will lean on her and will not fall,

he will rely on her and not be put to shame.

She will raise him high above his neighbours,

and in full assembly she will open his mouth.

He will find happiness and a crown of joy,

he will inherit an everlasting name.

Writings

(Year C). Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. But our dispositions change. The Church of all the first followers of Christ awaits us, but we do nothing about it. The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them.

Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those who look for our coming to intercede for us. We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts on such glory.

When we commemorate the saints we are inflamed with another yearning: that Christ our life may also appear to us as he appeared to them and that we may one day share in his glory. Until then we see him, not as he is, but as he became for our sake. He is our head, crowned, not with glory, but with the thorns of our sins. As members of that head, crowned with thorns, we should be ashamed to live in luxury; his purple robes are a mockery rather than an honor. When Christ comes again, his death shall no longer be proclaimed, and we shall know that we also have died, and that our life is hidden with him. The glorious head of the Church will appear and his glorified members will shine in splendor with him, when he forms this lowly body anew into such glory as belongs to himself, its head.

Therefore, we should aim at attaining this glory with a wholehearted and prudent desire. That we may rightly hope and strive for such blessedness, we must above all seek the prayers of the saints. Thus, what is beyond our own powers to obtain will be granted through their intercession. (Sermons)

Musical Selection

Jesu, dulcis memoria, dans vera cordis gaudia: sed super mel et omnia ejus dulcis praesentia.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills the breast! Yet sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy Presence rest.

Nil canitur suavius, nil auditur jucundius, nil cogitatur dulcius, quam Jesus Dei Filius.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame, Nor can the memory find, A sweeter sound than Jesus' Name, The Saviour of mankind

Jesu, spes paenitentibus, quam pius es petentibus! quam bonus te quaerentibus! sed quid invenientibus?

O hope of every contrite heart! O joy of all the meek! To those who fall, how kind Thou art! How good to those who seek! But what to those who find?

Nec lingua valet dicere, nec littera exprimere: expertus potest credere, quid sit Jesum diligere.

Ah! this Nor tongue nor pen can show The love of Jesus, what it is, None but His loved ones know.

Sis, Jesu, nostrum gaudium, qui es futurum praemium: sit nostra in te gloria, per cuncta semper saecula. Amen.

Jesus! our only hope be Thou, As Thou our prize shalt be; In Thee be all our glory now, And through eternity. Amen.

Collect

Merciful redeemer,
who, by the life and preaching of your servant Bernard,
rekindled the radiant light of your Church:
grant us, in our generation,
to be inﬂamed with the same spirit of discipline and love,
and ever to walk before you as children of light;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. (English Missal)

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