St. Bernard Clairvaux

St. Bernard was born in the year 1090, of noble parentage in Burgundy, France, in the castle of Fontaines near Dijon. Under the care of his pious parents he was sent at an early age to a college at Chatillon, where he was conspicuous for his remarkable piety and spirit of recollection.

After the death of his mother, fearing the snares and temptations of the world, he resolved to embrace the newly established and very austere institute of the Cistercian Order. He also persuaded his brothers and several of his friends to follow his example. In 1113, St. Bernard, with thirty young noblemen, presented himself to the holy Abbot, St. Stephen, at Citeaux. After a novitiate spent in great fervor, he made his profession in the following year.

His superior soon after, seeing the great progress he had made in the spiritual life, sent him with twelve monks to found a new monastery, which afterward became known as the Abbey of Clairvaux. St. Bernard was at once appointed Abbot, and subsequently founded numerous other monasteries, composed a number of works, and undertook many journeys for the honor of God. Several Bishoprics were offered him, but he refused them all.

The reputation of St. Bernard spread far and wide; even the Popes were governed by his advice. He was commissioned by Pope Eugene III to preach the second Crusade. The failure of the expedition raised a great storm against the saint, but he attributed it to the sins of the Crusaders. 

Bernard died on August 20, 1153. He is a Doctor of the Church, and is the patron of beekeepers and candlemakers. His feast day is August 20.