Born in france in 1090, he became a monk, joining one of the new monastic movements, the rigorous cistercians. Known as doctor mellifluus the honeymouthed doctor, bernard was a monk of the cistercian order and one of the most. Selected spiritual writings of bernard of clairvaux bernard, st. Bernard was born in ad 1090 near the french city of of citeaux, a location that would be of great significance to him later in life. St bernard of clairvaux and jerusalem studies in church. Hitherto you have been wont to seek prayers from me, not the solving of. Born at fontaineslesdijon in burgundy 1090 into a family of the lower nobility, bernard was educated by the canons of st. The mature and most active phase of bernard s career occurred between 1 and 1145. Bernard of clairvaux sermons on the song of songs bernard of clairvaux ca. This brief biography of saint bernard of clairvaux highlights the life of a great saint. Bernard of clairvaux quotes author of on loving god. Sermons on the song of songs volume 1 saint bernard of clairvaux, kilian walsh, m.
Bernard of clairvaux has 122 books on goodreads with 6633 ratings. Bernard of clairvaux the legacy of saint bernard of clairvaux to 20thcentury christians, as multifaceted as it is, lies most significantly in his profound human psychology of selfesteem and selfawareness grounded in the mercy and love of god. Mediator and counsellor for several civil and ecclesiastical councils and for theological debates during seven years of. Bernard of clairvaux christian history christianity today. Bernard of clairvaux holds a distinguished place in the history of christian spirituality. Bernard reminds us that not only did god give us life, but he gave us himself. The popularity of a saint the way in which bernard of clairvaux has come down to us is molded by history, hagiography, legends, and miracle tales, but most of all his name was made famous by his own sermons and writings. These eightysix sermons are among the most famous and most beautiful examples of medieval scriptural exegesis.
Some letters of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux documenta. Bernard of clairvaux 10901153 born in fontaineslesdijon in 1090, bernard had become, by his twentyfifth birthday, the abbot of a cistercian monastery which he had founded in the valley of clairvaux near aube, france, some four years earlier. There in those isolated and rugged surroundings he became the spokesman for a revival of moastic life in an age when the radical spirit of religious life was endangered by a movement. Life and works of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux. Bernard of clairvauxs writings on violence and the sacred. Bernard was born near dijon in burgundy the eastern part of modern france, the third of six sons and a daughter of a nobleman, tescelin sorrel, lord of fontaines, and his wife, aleth of montbard, her. In 1174, alexander iii declares him a saint and pius viii in 1830, proclaims him a doctor of the church. Bernards devotional classic, the love of god, explains what divine love is how we grow and develop in the perfect love of god which has come to us in jesus christ. Bernard of clairvaux, i have been asked to suggest some parallels between him and. Saint bernard, the founding abbot of clairvaux abbey in burgundy, was one of the most commanding church leaders in the first half of the twelfth century as well as one of the greatest spiritual masters of all times and the most powerful propagator of the cistercian reform. Bernard of clairvaux on love christian history institute. Middle ages, the most lofty personality of his time, and one of the best men of the christian centuries. Full text of life and works of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux see other formats.
The saint 1999, contains the writings of francis as well as thomas of celanos classic early biography. In our opinion past researchers have generally failed to credit st bernard with the pivotal role he played in the planning, formation and promotion of the infant templar order. Saint bernard of clairvaux vintage books, 2007 religion 425 pages. Almost every historian writing about the 11th and 12th centuries includes bernards name and accomplishments, both ecclesiastical and political. Bernard was another notable thinker of the new age, although he is remembered at least as much for his compelling spiritual writings as his theology.
Bernard of clairvaux 10901153 is respected by protestants and roman catholics alike. Bernards letters has been made in the hope that it may find its way into the hands of many to whom the volumes of the greater collection are. The mellifluous teacher, bernard of clairvaux, viewed the relationship between the divine word and the individual soul as a spiritual marriage between the heavenly bridegroom and the human bride. Bernard of clairvaux 10901153 may well represent the most important figure in templarism. You see such terms applied to so many todaygolfer of the century, composer of the century, right tackle of the centurythat the line no longer has any punch. Bernard of clairvaux, saint, abbot, and doctor, fills one of the most conspicuous positions in the history of the middle ages. Bernard of clairvaux, and so high are the praises which must, onany just view of his character, be considered his due, that an eloquence. For mere ignorance, as in the first instance, does not glory.
In his writings great natural powers shine forth resplendently, an intellect more than that of the subtle abelard, an eloquence that was. As the founder and abbot of the abbey of clairvaux, st. Saint bernard of clairvaux, cistercian monk and mystic, founder and abbot of the abbey of clairvaux and one of the most influential churchmen of his time. Project muse sacred authority and temporal power in the. Bernard of clairvaux, the twelfthcentury monk who wrote that jesus is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, a cry of joy in the heart, was both a mystic and a reformer. Almost every historian writing about the 11th and 12th centuries includes bernard s name. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3.
Three years later, he was sent to found a new abbey at an isolated clearing in a glen known as the val dabsinthe. Before bernard wrote on loving god, he enjoyed a life typical of medieval nobility in the burgundy region of. Top 25 quotes by bernard of clairvaux of 108 az quotes. Bernard of clairvauxs most popular book is on loving god.
He possessed a lively imagination, a rich culture and a heart glowing with love for. Its hard to know how to characterize bernard of clairvaux. Bernard of clairvaux, who was said to have carried the twelfth century on his shoulders. His writings reveal a mystical theology that thomas merton, a monastic heir to bernard s cistercian reform, says explains what it means to be united to god in christ but. On the other hand, he rallied soldiers to kill muslims. Selected spiritual writings of saint bernard of clairvaux. Among bernard s cistercian contemporaries, we should acknowledge aelred of rievaulx 11091167, whose writings, such as the mirror of charity, and on spiritual friendship, breathe a warm, humane, wise spirit that unfailingly moves the reader to a love of god and to human friendship. Some letters of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux by st.
Bernard told his religious about this vision to encourage them to become ever more fervent. During the twelfth century this gentle monk from france became the primary guide for those who follow the path of selfless love as well as a spokesman for a revival in monastic life. Spirit and experience in bernard of clairvaux kilian mcdonnell, o. Bernard surveys the four types of love that christians experience as they grow in their relationship with god. Bernard of clairvaux the twelve degrees of humility and. In these years both clairvaux and rome, the centre of gravity of medieval christendom, focussed upon bernard. Bernard of clairvaux and mysticism by stephen nichols. To the illustrious lord haimeric, cardinal deacon of the roman church, and chancellor.
Bernard of clairvaux pillar of the church britannica. One has to appreciate a medieval figure whom martin luther and john calvin looked on with favor and, to a certain degree, approval. Bernard of clairvaux 4 must hate and shun that presumption which would lead us to glory in goods not our own, knowing that they are not of ourselves but of god, and yet not fearing to rob god of the honor due unto him. M oral greatness is the leading feature in the life and career of bernard of clairvaux. Because of his extraordinary gifts which bernard felt it a duty to share his personal fame 2 bernard of clairvaux, selected works.
Selected spiritual writings of bernard of clairvaux. Tens of thousands heard his powerful preaching, and he personally attracted and helped many hundreds of men to follow a call to monastic life. St bernard of clairvaux and jerusalem volume 10 peter raedts. Spirituality of the middle ages creighton university. His father, tecelin, or tesselin, a knight of great bravery, was the friend and vassal of the duke of burgundy. The second volume, the founder 2000, contains the classic. Bernard of clairvaux gave to a couple who had a miscarriage and asked him what was the fate of their child. Islam at the same time was blessed by the writings of various sufi masters, such as ahmad alghazali, ibn. An image of bernard of clairvaux from a medieval manuscript. He founded the abbey of clairvaux, was a noted preacher, defender of church teachings against heresies. Full text of life and works of saint bernard, abbot of. Bernards letters has been made in the hope that it may find its way into the hands of many to whom the volumes of the greater collection are unknown, or are for one reason or another inaccessible. His writings had a profound influence on martin luther, who called him the best monk that ever lived, and john calvin.
A prolific writer of sermons, he was declared a doctor of the church in 1830. Cistercians around the world continue to live the monastic life of which bernard of clairvaux was the propagator and theologian. The figure in question is bernard of clairvaux, a cistercian monk, abbot, mild mystic, and formidable theologian. Request pdf bernard of clairvaux bernard, abbot of clairvaux 11151153, was one of the most eloquent. After the death of his mother, bernard sought admission into the cistercian order.
Bernard of clairvaux, whom thomas merton calls the last of the fathers, 8 was a great cistercian spiritual writer of the middle ages. Bernard of clairvaux 10901153 abbot of the cistercian monastery of clairvaux, theologian, and preacher of the crusade. Clairvaux, has left us some reflections on the presence and. His more than 3,500 pages of writings include the steps of humility. Bernard was born at his fathers castle on the eminence of les fontaines, near dijon, in burgundy, in 1091.
Recommended resources for more information on bernard, his writings, and his times. The mature and most active phase of bernards career occurred between 1 and 1145. You therefore seek to be found so that you may be sought for, sought so that you may be found. Bernard, abbat of clairvaux, concerning grace and free will, addressed to william, abbat of st. Four degrees of love bernard of clairvaux soul shepherding. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. At first glance, it is hard to imagine reading a collection of sermons on the song of songs from a celibate, medieval monk.
Classics series is edited by emilie griffin and includes a number of writings from the christian tradition. He was a beacon of spiritual light that illuminated all of western europe during the. Writings on love teachings and reflections on love by st. Bernard of clairvaux macsphere mcmaster university.
Born in fontaines les dijon in 1090, bernard had become, by his twentyfifth birthday, the abbot of cistercian monastery which he had founded in the valley of clairvaux near aube, france some four years earlier. Bernard of clairvaux s most popular book is on loving god. He was born into a family of burgundian nobility and experienced at least some degree of privilege. Dante was not only drawing on bernard s recognition, but also on one of his most significant writings, on loving god. Cist 1090 august 20, 1153 was a french abbot and the primary builder of the reforming cistercian order. Known as doctor mellifluus the honeymouthed doctor, bernard was a monk of the cistercian order and one of the most eloquent preachers in twelfthcentury france. Bernard of clairvaux and his song of songs sermon series. As abbot of the cistercian monastery of clairvaux, which he founded, he was constantly involved in the political, religious, and philosophical issues of his time, in. On the occasion of the ninth centenary of the birth of st. Bernard of clairvaux 10901153 french theologian and philosopher. This collection of his most important writings provides a superb introduction to a man who has greatly shaped the western. Cantica canticorum eightysix sermons on the song of solomon life and works of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux, volume 1 life and works of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux, volume 2. The sacramental humaneness of his mysticism, with love as its central focus, shaped christian piety, spirituality, and mysticism from his day to this.
Bernard uses the term experience, concentrating principally on the pneumatological context in his sermons on the song of songs. Books by bernard of clairvaux author of on loving god. As it turns out, this was the very same answer that st. Bernard was cistercian monk and followed very strict disciplines.
Following bernard s example, the book has much more to say about ecclesiastical authority than imperial power. He touches on how bernard relates experience to the symbolic order, the. These are the ancient words of bernard of clairvaux 1090 1153, a great lover of god and considered the last of the church fathers. This translation, all apparently available for use in the public domain, is by a translator not of the catholic faith, and he. Bernard of clairvaux and the second crusade the crusades part 3. Love is the fountain of life, and the soul which does not drink from it cannot be called alive.
But western europes man of the twelfth century, without doubt or controversy, had to be bernard of clairvaux. Life and works of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux westminster. On the one hand, he is called the honeytongued doctor for his eloquent writings on the love of god. Selected works harpercollins spiritual classics saint bernard of clairvaux, g. Hitherto you have been wont to seek prayers from me, not the solving of problems. Bernard 10911153 was centrally responsible for the early expansion of the cistercian order throughout europe. Yet, in this volume, 20 of the 86 sermons on this scriptural book reveal bernard of clairvaux as a brilliant and transcending mind. Issue 24 bernard of clairvaux christian history magazine. Bernard, called abbot of clairvaux, wisheth long life in the lord and death in the lord. Bernard of clairvaux the twelve degrees of humility. Bernard of clairvaux 10901153, a figure of towering importance on the twelfthcentury monastic and theological scene.