Acta Sanctorum: Bl. Guerric of Igny (Aug 19)
August 19, 2026
August 19
Bl. Guerric of Igny
Life (c. 1070-1157)
Guerric of Igny was born between 1070 and 1080 in Tournai, Belgium, and died in 1157. He was a Cistercian monk, abbot of Igny, and an influential spiritual writer.
The young Guerric received his education at the Cathedral school of Tournai, almost surely at the feet of Odon of Tournai, headmaster between 1087 and 1092. It's possible that Guerric himself became headmaster there between 1121 and 1125. Drawn to a more solitary life, however, Guerric withdrew to a small dwelling close to the church in Turn, spending his time reading, and in prayer and meditation. Through a friend he heard that Bernard of Clairvaux had recently passed through Flanders, and Guerric decided to pay a visit to Clairvaux in 1126. It doesn't appear that it was his intention, at first, to enter as a novice. Nevertheless, the persuasive Bernard convinced Guerric to remain at Clairvaux. Early in his novitiate, it became clear to Bernard that, as a monk, Guerric displayed eminent virtue, and Bernard even mentions Guerric by name in several letters.
In 1138 Guerric became the second abbot of Igny, one of Clairvaux's foundations in the Diocese of Rheims. Even though it was the custom for the abbot to be "uniformly" elected by the community, St. Bernard seems to have exerted a bit of influence on the community of Igny to choose Guerric. Having lived first as a hermit, then as a disciple of Bernard of Clairvaux, Guerric was, by this time, no spring chicken, in fact, he was undoubtedly more than 60 years old, a fact at which he hints in one of his sermons, referring to his unsteady physical condition which prevented him from fully participating in community life as provided for in Bernard's rule. Under Guerric's direction the abbey of Igny flourished, and its religious prestige grew. Noted for its manuscripts which were widely circulated, vocations increased. Through donations a new monastic foundation was completed: the abbey of Valroy, in 1148, also in the Diocese of Rheims. Guerric died in his abbey of Igny on August 19, 1157. In 1876, at the time of the restoration of Igny, his body was exhumed and identified. Devotion to Blessed Guerric, which had prevailed for centuries in the order of Cîteaux, was officially recognized by the Church in 1889.
Scripture (Col 4:2-6)
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should. Conduct yourselves wisely towards outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
Writings
(Year A). Of all the human weaknesses or injuries which God deigned to bear for us, the first in time and, one might say, the greatest in humility, was, I think, that the majesty which knows no bounds allowed itself to be conceived in the womb and to be confined in the womb for the space of nine months.
Where else did he so empty himself out, or when was he seen so completely eclipsed? For so long a time Wisdom says nothing, Power works nothing that can be discerned. The majesty which lies hidden and enclosed is not betrayed by any visible sign. He was not seen so weak on the Cross. What was weak in him immediately appeared stronger than all men, when he glorified the thief as he died and with his last breath breathed faith into the centurion. The sorrow of the hour of his passion not only made the elements of creation suffer with him but also subjected the opposing powers to a passion of timeless sorrow. On the other hand in the womb he is as if he were not. Almighty power lies idle as if it could do nothing. The eternal Word constrains himself to silence.
But to you, brethren, to you that silence of the Word speaks, to you it cries out, to you to be sure it recommends the discipline of silence. For in silence and hope shall be your strength as Isaiah promises, a man who defined the pursuit of justice as silence. As that Child in the womb advanced towards birth in a long, deep silence, so does the discipline of silence nourish, form and strengthen a man’s spirit, and produce growth which is the safer and more wholesome for being the more hidden.
Mere man with his natural gifts, who does not take in the thoughts of God’s Spirit, does not know the way of the Spirit and how bones are built up in the womb of a woman with child. But my body was not hidden from you, the Holy Man tells God, the body you made for me in the mind’s hidden depth under the pall of silence. Neither from you is this mystery hidden, my brethren. You have shared your experience with me and have told me how a quiet and disciplined spirit is strengthened, grows fat and flourishes in silence, and how on the contrary by speaking it is broken up and dislocated as if by paralysis, grows thin and withers and dries up. If there was not strength in silence Solomon would not have said: Like an open city without any encompassing walls, so is the man who cannot restrain his spirit from speaking. (Sermon for the Annunciation)
Musical Selection
Collect
God our Father,
you enriched the blessed abbot Guerric
with the grace of humility, courage in adversity,
and wisdom to proclaim your mysteries.
May we follow him as our guide and model here on earth,
and so receive, like him, in heaven above,
the robe of glory and immortality.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.